Bolo de Mel

Made with luscious treacle for a smooth, velvety taste, Bolo de Mel is a traditional Portuguese cake originating on the island of Madeira.

Our family has been making this cake for generations, typically at Christmas time. But because the cake has a shelf-life up to 18 months, it can be kept and enjoyed all year round. It's handy to have in the pantry for when unexpected guests drop in.

Our Bolo de Mel is handmade and has a dark richness that comes from its sticky treacle base. Treacle has a richer flavour and deeper colour than golden syrup, and has the highest molasses content of all sugars which gives it that intense colour, distinctive liquorice flavour and mild smoky aroma. This makes it perfect for baking.

The making of Bolo de Mel is an almost 48-hour affair. The cake mix is rested from one day to the next before being placed in baking tins, encrusted with almonds and walnuts for decoration, rested again and then baked.

The fragrant spices and rich, crumbly texture make it a delight to eat. Traditionally the cake is broken apart by hand, rather than cut with a knife, and served with tea or coffee, or maybe a cheeky sweet wine such as Madeira wine or Port.