The best Bolo Rei Christmas cake in Portugal has been found

The scrambled version of the typical Christmas cake was the winner of the 13th edition of the “Best Christmas Cake in Portugal” competition.

Loved by some, hated by others, bolo-rei is Portugal’s most Christmas sweet. And as the date approaches, the shop windows begin to fill up with examples.

But which one to choose? The 13th edition of the competition to choose the “Best Bolo-Rei in Portugal”, promoted by the Centro Nacional de Exposições e Mercados Agrícolas (CNEMA) in partnership with Qualifica/oriGIn Portugal, took place on November 5 and finally announced the big winner. First prize went to the bolo-rei escangalhado from Pastelaria Moinho Novo, in Tentúgal.

This special king cake is made using an exclusive recipe from the bakery, which has been open since 2017. The sweet pastry contains walnuts, almonds, pine nuts and a mixture of liqueurs.

José Carlos Faria, owner of Pastelaria Moinho Novo, is responsible for the confectionery that is only sold there. “The other houses work with complete products, we use all the traditional ingredients and make everything as natural as possible,” he told NiT. The award-winning bolo-rei is available whole (€19) or by the slice at the pastry shop in Tentúgal, but to ensure you have “the best” on your Christmas table, it’s best to make a reservation.

Other winners of the competition include the bolo-rei from A Mina da Estação Padaria e Pastelaria, in São João da Madeira, and the pastry from Esmeralda Gouveia – Doces do Coração, in Santana do Mato.