Cavacas are a Portuguese popover pastry with a lemon icing. They are essentially dessert popovers that are baked in muffin tins or “popover” tins. The dough is light and airy with a crispy exterior. They are topped with a lemon icing which adds the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness to the pastry. Simply delicious! This is the perfect treat served with coffee at breakfast or brunch, or as a dessert!
2tbspmilk, more or less depending on the thickness you like
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 24 count mini muffin tin, or two 12 count regular sized muffin tins, or “popover” tins.
Using an electric mixer (on medium-high) or stand mixer (at level 6 speed), beat all of the batter ingredients for at least 20 minutes without stopping. This long beating time is what makes the batter puff up while baking.
Once the batter is prepared, pour into the prepared baking tins. For mini muffin tins or "popover" tin, fill them 3/4 full. For large muffin tins, fill the tins half way.
Bake on the middle rack of the oven. For cavacas with a slightly moist interior bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. If you like them on the dry side bake for 1 hour.
Remove from the oven and set aside until fully cooled. Let the cavacas cool in the baking tin for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Note: As the cavacas cool they will deflate slightly, this is normal.
In a small bowl prepare the icing by mixing the icing sugar, lemon zest and milk together. If the icing is too thick add an additional splash of milk at a time until desired consistency. Or if the icing is too thin add a pinch of icing sugar at a time until desired consistency.
Once the cavacas are cooled spoon the icing over each one, or dip the tops in the icing. Optional: fill the cavacas with whipped cream, lemon curd, or pudding!
Best served and eaten on the same day, but they are delicious the next day. Enjoy!