Posted on Monday, October 12, 2015 in Cookie Recipes

Authentic Portuguese Biscoitos Recipe – Traditional Biscuits

Name: Authentic Portuguese Biscoitos Recipe – Traditional Biscuits
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 24 Servings
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 1/2 lb butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 5 eggs; 5 cups all-purpose flour; 4 teaspoons baking powder; Grated zest of 1 lemon; 4 tablespoons of lemon juice

These traditional Portuguese Biscoitos are crisp, lightly sweetened lemon cookies featuring a tender, airy crumb and a signature ring shape. This authentic recipe centers on the creaming method to achieve the perfect texture, utilizing fresh lemon zest, citrus juice, and a high flour-to-butter ratio. These timeless Portuguese biscuits are the quintessential treat for dipping in coffee or tea.

5 of 5 / 713 ratings

Views: 378380

Bake a batch of these golden, lemon-scented Portuguese Biscoitos! Easy to shape and perfect for sharing, these crisp biscuits bring a taste of Lisbon home.

Authentic Portuguese Biscoitos Recipe – Traditional Biscuits

Recipe Info

Preparation time	15 min
Cooking Time	15 min
Ready In	30 min
Level of Difficulty	Easy
Servings	24 Servings

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories	137 kcal
Fat	5 g
Carbs	20 g
Protein	3 g

Ingredients

1/2 lb butter, softened1 1/2 cups sugar5 eggs5 cups all-purpose flour4 teaspoons baking powderGrated zest of 1 lemon4 tablespoons of lemon juice

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F.Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream together butter and sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture.
Add the eggs, lemon zest and juice and mix until well blended.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, stirring until combined.
If dough seems dry or flakey, knead slightly.
Scoop up ping-pong ball sized dollops of dough.
Roll between your hands to form a 5-inch long "snake", even throughout the length.
Brings ends of the "snake" together, slightly folding one end over the other, to form a donut-shape with a small hole in the middle.
Place cookies 1-2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Bake 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let rest on baking sheet 2 minutes before transferring to rack to cool.

Recipe Credit: Paula

Photo Credit: Susana A Pimentel

Tuga Pops

Member since 11 Years ago

Location: n/a

Message

Recommended Recipes

Quick Orange Biscuits (Biscoitos de Laranja) Recipe

These delicious and quick orange biscuits (biscoitos de laranja rápidos), only take about 30 minutes to make and they taste amazing.

Level of Difficulty	Very Easy
Servings	10

Azorean Sugar Cookies (Biscoitos de Açúcar) Recipe

These Azorean sugar cookies (biscoitos de açúcar), from the island of Sao Miguel is easy to make and is a wonderful treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Level of Difficulty	Easy
Servings	8

Madeira Island Honey Cookies (Broas de Mel) Recipe

These Madeira Island honey cookies (broas de mel), make a great treat and are especially popular during the Christmas holidays.

Level of Difficulty	Easy
Servings	10

Reviews

Jo

Can you use vanilla extract instead of lemon?

10 Months ago, Friday, March 28, 2025
Tj

The dough is very sticky and it will definitely not roll into the snake to shape. Can I add more flour or chill?

2 Years ago, Monday, February 5, 2024
Cory

I am from the Acores My mom made these at all festivals Thanks for sharing

2 Years ago, Sunday, October 29, 2023
Betty Sousa-Orellana

Thank you Paula for sharing your recipe! It was super easy to follow and make... I got about 6dz cookies and I can't wait to share with my family.... my mom passed away when I was young and so I am always trying to create Portugal memories for my kids and my nephews and now my grandson. They are delicious!

3 Years ago, Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Robin Braga

My grandmother would make these every Christmas ( yes, definitely with sugar and a slight anise flavor,tied into a knot shape)they were very crunchy so that they would hold up well for dunking!Very simple and good!

4 Years ago, Sunday, February 6, 2022
Jena Cunha

Hey PR, Searching for Portuguese Sweet bread recipes and found all your Portuguese recipes along with what I was looking for. My husband is from Azores immigrated to Canada at age of 10. With family members passing on, I am really missing all the good things that would always be made during the holidays. Are you familiar with the type of biscotto which is not sweet. It has another name I believe it is or sounds like Rohillas or something like that. Looks like the sweet biscotto but is has no sugar. I had the recipe given to me and I recall the recipe using lard instead of butter. My husband family is originally from Graciosa perhaps it is something that was made in this island as I see biscoittos all the time at Portuguese bakeries but not the ones I am talking about. Thanks for reading my email, if you know what I'm referring to please let me know. Happy New Year and all the best in 2022!!

4 Years ago, Sunday, January 2, 2022
Carol Reis

I can’t wait to try a make for my Portuguese husband.

4 Years ago, Friday, September 24, 2021

Show less