Desserts

Doce de leite (dósi di leite)

A creamy sweet made from milk and sugar, flavored with cinnamon and a touch of lemon zest. It is eaten in small squares or spoonfuls, traditionally at the end of a meal or as an afternoon snack.

50 min
4 servings
Medium
Budget-friendly
🇨🇻 Cape Verde

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Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Ground cinnamon (for topping)

Optional extras

1 tbsp Butter

Nutrition facts

445 kcal per serving

Protein: 8.5 g
Carbohydrates: 83.8 g
Fat: 8.5 g
of which saturated fat: 5.6 g
Fiber: 0 g

Ecomely’s estimate, calculated from the ingredients with the ANSES Ciqual food composition table, excluding sides and seasoning added to taste.

Instructions

Pour the milk into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan with the sugar, the cinnamon stick, the lemon zest and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring regularly with a wooden spatula so the sugar dissolves completely.
Lower the heat to the minimum and let it simmer for about 35 to 40 minutes, stirring often, especially on the bottom, until the mixture thickens and turns an amber colour.
Remove the cinnamon stick and the zest, then, if you like, stir in the butter for a shinier finish.
Pour the mixture into an oiled rectangular dish or small moulds, smooth the surface and let it cool to room temperature.
Once it is nice and firm, cut into squares, dust with ground cinnamon and serve.