Bolinhas To Serradura: 10 Goan Sweets To Cherish This Christmas

Winter is here and Christmas is knocking at our doors. The whole country decks up for the biggest winter festival and people prepare delicious meals, including savoury as well as sweet treats. As Goa is home to local inhabitants as well as tourists, celebrating Christmas there might seem special as large-scale festivities take place in Goa during this time of the year.    

Read More: Try These 12 Mumbai Menus For A Christmas Feast

Take a look:   

• Bolinyas   

Christmas is incomplete without the inclusion of distinctive Bolinhas, also pronounced as Bolinyas. These coconut biscuits have a soft interior and a crispy exterior. Often adorned with a single cashew nut on top, bolinyas not only appeal to the palate but also present a visually enticing treat. This treat will melt in your mouth, providing a delectable experience.   

• Gons   

This is a delicate coconut treat that is also known as “Teias de Aranhas,” which translates to ‘spider webs’ or ‘cobwebs’ in Portuguese and is popularly known as gons in Goa. This is especially prepared during the holiday season. These delectable treats are a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region. Goan gons are bite-sized, deep-fried dumplings made from a dough of grated coconut, semolina, sugar, and a hint of cardamom, creating a symphony of flavours and textures. 

Once fried to golden perfection, they are often coated with a light dusting of powdered sugar, adding a subtle sweetness to the crispy exterior. The coconut filling inside provides a burst of tropical flavour, making this sweet treat a unique and irresistible indulgence.   

• Doce De Grao  

In Portuguese, 'doce' means ‘sweet’ and 'grao' means ‘grain,’ and the meaning exemplifies what the sweet is made of. All you need is fresh coconut, split Bengal gram (chana dal), and subtle notes of fragrant cardamom to make this fudge. As chana dal is used as a foundation, the delicacy has additional health benefits. The dish takes a lot of time to prepare but is worth the effort.   

• Goan Nevris  

Nevris are essentially deep-fried pastries made from a thin, crispy outer layer of semolina or all-purpose flour dough, encasing a rich and flavourful filling, which usually consists of a sweet mixture made with grated coconut, jaggery, chopped nuts, and sometimes a hint of cardamom for added fragrance. This treat is very similar to the Maharashtrian sweet dish Karanji, which is prepared during Diwali.    

• Bebinca  

Also known as Bibik, Bebinca is a well-known pudding from Goa. It comprises coconut milk, ghee, sugar, eggs, and flour, resembling the layers of cake. You can have as many layers as you like in traditional Babinca, which can go as far as 16. Cooking this dish takes patience and time.   

• Serradura  

This is a popular Portuguese dessert, also called sawdust pudding or Macau pudding. This is enjoyed in Goa, Macau, and Portugal. The dessert consists of layers of finely crushed Marie biscuits, alternated with whipped cream, and often flavoured with vanilla or other aromatic extracts. 

The result is a luscious and creamy dessert with a delightful crunch from the biscuit layers. The word serradura comes from the Portuguese word ‘sawdust,’ and describes how the biscuits appear in the pudding since they are finely crushed into crumbs.     

• Guava Cheese

Also known as ‘perad’ in Goa, Guava cheese makes a fantastic treat during Christmas. This traditional dessert is crafted from ripe guavas, sugar, and lime juice, creating a unique and delightful confection.  Once cooked, the mixture is poured into moulds and allowed to set, resulting in a smooth and velvety texture. The vibrant pink hue of Goan guava cheese reflects the rich color of ripe guavas. It has a sweet, fruity flavour and a soft, chewy texture. 

• Kulkuls

This is a traditional Goan Christmas sweet that holds a special place in the hearts and palace of the Goan community. These bite-sized treats are made from a simple, yet delicious dough comprised of all-purpose flour, eggs, sugar, and coconut milk. The dough is carefully rolled into small, conical shapes resembling curls or shells, which give kulkuls their distinctive appearance. The magic happens when these dough curls are deep-fried until they achieve a golden-brown perfection, creating a delightful contrast of crispy exteriors and tender interiors. They are dipped in sugar syrup adding a sweet and glossy finish. 

• Dodols 

This sweet delicacy is made with a unique combination of ingredients, including coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, and sometimes, chana dal (split chickpeas). Dodols are slow-cooked to achieve a dense, fudgy consistency. The sweet is often infused with the aromatic essence of cardamom and the rich flavour of cashew nuts. 

• Baath Cake

This unique cake in a delightful fusion of Portuguese and Goan culinary influences, reflecting the rich history of the region. What sets the Goan Baath Cake apart is its distinctive blend of flavours, combining the sweetness of coconut with the richness of semolina, flour, and eggs. The cake is typically infused with fragrant nutmeg and cardamom, giving it a warm and aromatic essence. Baath cake is widely prepared during Christmas