Bolo de rolo

Bolo de rolo is a cherished Brazilian dessert originating from the state of Pernambuco. Imagine a cake resembling a Swiss roll, but with much finer layers and filled with luscious melted guava paste—that's bolo de rolo for you! The cake batter is a simple blend of flour, eggs, butter, and sugar, but it's the guava that truly distinguishes it.

The origins of bolo de rolo trace back to a Portuguese cake called "colchão de noiva" (which translates to bride's mattress). This original version was a rolled sponge cake filled with nuts. When Portuguese settlers brought the recipe to Brazil, they discovered an abundance of guava in the northeastern part of the country. Thus, they replaced the nut filling with sweet guava paste, which was also conveniently made thanks to the local sugar mills. To this day, a light dusting of sugar on the exterior of bolo de rolo is common, adding a touch of sparkle and extra sweetness.

In 2007, bolo de rolo received a special distinction: it was officially recognized as an intangible heritage of Pernambuco under Ordinary Law No. 379/2007. This acknowledgment signifies that it is not merely a delightful treat but also an integral part of the region's cultural identity.