Your New Favorite Fall Dessert: Brazilian Bem Casado

Fall is finally here...and that means it’s time to treat yourself to something sweet! In Brazil, nothing tastes sweeter than a traditional Bem Casado cake typically served at weddings, baby showers, and anniversary parties. Even if you don’t bake often, Bem Casado isn’t as complicated as it looks . Essentially, it combines rich doce de leite (a popular Brazilian caramel made with milk) sandwiched betweendelicate slices of genoise cake.It can be served “naked”or topped with caramelized macadamia nuts and coconut shavings.Delícia!

We recently teamed up with Brazilianfood blogger,  Raíza Costa, to create an exclusive recipe just for our Sol Fam to celebrate the launch of our newest scent,  Cheirosa ‘71 Hair + Body Fragrance Mist. Yummy gourmand notes like caramelized vanilla, toasted macadamia nut, sea salt, white chocolate and coconut blossom will have you craving a slice (or two) of this fabulous Fall dessert. 

Ready to bake?Here’s what you’ll need…

INGREDIENTS:

PÃO DE LÓ | Genoise Cake

• 6 eggs
• 150g (3⁄4 cup) sugar
• 90g (6 tbsp) melted butter
• 140g (1 cup) all purpose flour 
• 8g (2 tsp) cornstarch
• Pinch of cream of tartar
• Pinch of salt
• 10mL (2tsp) vanilla extract 

FILLING:

• 1 Jar of Doce de Leite

INSTRUCTIONS/DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350° F and line a baking tray with parchment paper and reserve
• Over a double boiler, heat eggs and whisk slowly until just warm to the touch
• Transfer to a mixer and add cream of tartar
• Whip on medium speed until frothy
• Slowly add sugar and turn the mixer on high, once all sugar is added and whip for 4 minutes 
• Sift dry ingredients together, then carefully fold the egg mixture in with a spatula
• Separate a small amount of batter into a separate bowl and mix in the melted butter. Once combined, fold back into the batter 
• Stir in vanilla extract
• Spread evenly onto baking tray and bake at 350°F until just set (approx. 12 minutes)
• Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes 
• Slice the sheet of cake in half horizontally, spread the Doce de Leite over one piece and sandwich it with the other half of the cake
• If you want to make individual Bem Casados, use a cookie cutter to cut out in your desired shape 
• If you want to make a cake, stack them for a ‘naked’ cake and decorate with caramelized macadamia nuts and coconut shavings 

Be sure to post (and tag us) so we can see your delicious Brazilian treat.

Bom apetite!