Beyond the Pastel de Nata: Portugal's Sweet Treasures at Wooly Brussels
The Pastel de Nata is the global ambassador of Portuguese pastry, but it would be a shame to stop there. Behind it lies a whole continent of extraordinary sweets, inherited from centuries of monastic tradition, the spice routes and regions with strong culinary identities. From the Carmelite nuns of Coimbra to the sisters of Aveiro, every pastry tells a story.
At Wooly Pâtisserie, we have selected the finest Portuguese specialities so you can discover them in Brussels, some of them impossible to find anywhere else in Belgium.
1. The Pastel de Tentúgal: The Carmelites' Marvel
An Exceptional Pastry
For connoisseurs, the Pastel de Tentúgal is the most refined Portuguese pastry. It comes from the village of Tentúgal, a few kilometres from Coimbra, the university city, one of the oldest in Europe, where the Carmelite convent that jealously guards the recipe still stands today.
It dates back to the 18th century. The Carmelite nuns of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, like all nuns of the time, turned their surplus egg yolks into pastries. But their creation is unique: a stretched pastry so fine it is almost transparent, so thin you can see through it, wrapped around a light, fragrant egg cream.
The Stretched Pastry Technique
The technique behind the Pastel de Tentúgal is fascinating. The dough is stretched by hand until it becomes almost translucent, a skill that takes years of practice. It is then folded into very fine sheets, laid one on top of another, with an airy lightness.
In the mouth, the contrast is striking: the pastry cracks into delicate thin sheets, immediately releasing the soft, fragrant cream. It is a tasting experience in its own right, very different from the Pastel de Nata despite the apparent similarity.
At Wooly: we respect this tradition with a very fine pastry stretched as the recipe demands and an egg-yolk cream with a light hint of lemon. Homemade and made to order: remember to order it in advance.
2. Salame de Chocolate: The Indulgent Surprise
When Pastry Plays with the Rules
Salame de Chocolate is one of the great tricks of Portuguese pastry. Presented like a sausage (cylindrical shape, white powdered surface, slices revealing a marbled inside), it does not contain a single drop of meat. It is a playful, decadent chocolate dessert that always comes as a delightful surprise.
The Traditional Recipe
Traditional Salame de Chocolate is made with quality dark chocolate, crushed plain biscuits (Marie or similar), walnuts or hazelnuts, eggs and sugar. The mixture is rolled tightly in cling film to give it the characteristic sausage shape, then chilled until fully set. It is then rolled in icing sugar to imitate the white bloom of a cured sausage: the detail that completes the illusion.
Our Versions at Wooly
- Chocolate-Oreo Salame: the modern, irresistible version. Intense dark chocolate and crushed Oreo biscuits for an ultra-indulgent texture, with white chocolate chips for contrast.
- Chocolate-Lemon Salame: for lovers of contrast. The bitterness of dark chocolate meets the tangy freshness of lemon zest: a refined and surprising balance.
Storage: Salame de Chocolate keeps for 3-4 days at room temperature, or several weeks in the fridge (in that case, take it out 15 minutes before slicing).
Gift idea: Salame de Chocolate is the perfect gourmet gift: original, beautiful and delicious. It comes whole, ready to slice, ideal for corporate gift boxes.
3. Barquinhos de Aveiro: The Little Boats of the "Venice of Portugal"
Aveiro, City of Water and Sugar
The city of Aveiro, on Portugal's Atlantic coast, is nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal" for its canals, sailed by colourful flat-bottomed boats, the moliceiros. But Aveiro is also the world capital of Ovos Moles: a sweet egg cream that is the basis of all its pastry specialities.
Barquinhos (little boats) are one of the characteristic shapes of these Ovos Moles. Their shell looks like lightly crisp rice paper (neither really puff pastry nor shortcrust, but something unique, made of flour and sugar) and holds the golden, fragrant egg cream.
The Tasting Experience
Biting into a Barquinho is a unique experience. The shell, like a fine wafer, crunches like an ice-cream cone. The golden, sweet cream inside melts instantly in the mouth. It is sweet and delicate, with those characteristic notes of caramelised egg that are a little reminiscent of crème brûlée.
4. Torta de Azeitão: The Egg-Cream Roll
Torta de Azeitão comes from the Setúbal region, south of Lisbon, in hills covered with vineyards. It is a rolled cake, a little like a slim Yule log, filled with a sweet, smooth egg-yolk cream. It also comes in a chocolate version.
Its texture is special: soft, moist and melting, with an intense egg flavour and a natural sweetness. It is presented as a roll, dusted with icing sugar, and cut into thick slices that hold together well.
Storage: 3-4 days at room temperature. Do not refrigerate: moisture spoils the texture.
5. The Orange Roll (Torta de Laranja): Our Signature Creation
Inspired by the Torta de Azeitão but with a Wooly twist, our Orange Roll is a rolled cake made with fresh orange. The sponge is light and airy, flavoured with orange zest and juice squeezed on the day. The roll is filled with a thin layer of lightly caramelised cream.
It is fresh and fruity, less sweet than traditional egg pastries: a lovely option for anyone looking for an elegant but lighter dessert.
6. Wooly Cheesecakes: Our Creamy Signature
Our cheesecakes are not Portuguese, but they have been part of Wooly's soul since we opened. Made by our pastry chefs to a house recipe, they have an ultra-creamy texture, dense without being heavy.
- Salted Butter Caramel Cheesecake: our best-seller. Philadelphia cream on a biscuit base, topped with a generous salted butter caramel.
- Red Berry Cheesecake: strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants on a light cream: the fresh, fruity choice.
The Art of Wooly Gift Boxes
Our pastries make wonderful gourmet gifts. Our boxes are perfect for:
- Gifts for colleagues or clients: original and memorable, far beyond the usual chocolates or macarons
- Corporate year-end gifts: boxes that can be personalised with a ribbon and message
- Birthdays and celebrations: the Portuguese touch that stands out
- Welcoming foreign partners: introduce your visitors to Portuguese pastry
Available in our 4 shops in Brussels and Waterloo (Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Waterloo, Uccle) or by delivery with Wooly Carrier. For personalised gift boxes in large quantities: info@woolypatisserie.com / 0497 55 15 20.