The Light and Fluffy Portuguese Easter Cake (Pão de Ló) You’ll Love
Pão de Ló is a traditional Portuguese Easter cake known for its incredibly light and airy texture with a slightly custardy center. Made with just three simple ingredients—eggs, sugar, and flour—this cake is naturally leavened by whipping the eggs to perfection. It’s an elegant yet easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for Easter or any special occasion. Serve it plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with fresh fruit for a delightful treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Portuguese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or cake flour for a softer texture)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper.
- Beat the Eggs and Sugar: In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed for 10-15 minutes until pale, thick, and tripled in volume.
- Fold in the Flour: Sift the flour over the egg mixture and gently fold it in with a spatula, taking care not to deflate the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. The center should remain slightly soft for a custardy texture.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar or serve as is.
Notes
- Whip the eggs long enough to ensure a light and airy texture.
- Use cake flour for an even softer crumb.
- Fold in the flour gently to prevent deflating the batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 110mg