Bebinca is a Portuguese inspired dessert that is made for Christmas or any big celebration in Goa. Today, Goan people all over the world make them on order and ship them out to you. This dessert is like a Basque cheesecake, with coconut milk instead of cream cheese.

This Sunday we made bebinca for dessert with a slightly reduced sugar content. It turned out great!

Ingredients

500 ml coconut milk

5 large egg yolks ( whites are not used in this recipe)

200 gms sugar

120 gms flour

30-50 gms ghee, melted

pinch of nutmeg

Making caramelised sugar (optional)

The caramelised sugar adds a deeper flavour and colour to the dish but it is optional.

Use a small saucepan to heat 1 tbsp sugar on medium heat without stirring, until light brown. Remove the sugar from the heat.

Add 2 tablespoons of warm water to dissolve the sugar. Leave to cool.

Putting it together

Add all the ingredients, except the ghee, to a bowl. Add the cooled caramelised sugar if using this.

Whisk together to a smooth paste. Strain this mixture into a large measuring jug or bowl using a fine mesh strainer, discarding any solids in the strainer.

Heat the oven to 200C using top and bottom heat.

Apply 1-2 teaspoons of ghee to the inside of the baking form / tin, ensuring the bottom of the tin is well coated.

Pour in 1 dl or approximately 1/8 of the batter into the baking tin and bake for 15 mins, using a rack in the middle of the oven. This will ensure even top and bottom heat. The batter should set and turn a light golden brown.

Remove the tin from the oven.

Set the oven to broil or top heat only at 200C.

Apply a little ghee over the first layer before pouring in another 1/8 of the batter. Bake this for 10 – 15 mins until golden brown.

Continue creating layers – by adding a little ghee and batter, and baking for 10-15 mins per layer, until all the batter is used up.

When the last layer is golden brown, remove the tin from the oven and leave to cool for 15 mins. Turn out carefully onto a flat dish before slicing.

Enjoy! 😋

Tips for turning the cake out of the baking tin – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAv-SJAv4XN/?igsh=NmJyd3NoMmF5Z2g0

Wondering what this dessert actually looks like, it often has over 20 layers! It takes patience and time.