Serradura (Portuguese Sawdust Pudding)
A no-cook Portuguese dessert of creamy condensed milk and evaporated milk layered with crushed vanilla wafers. Light, sweet, and ready in minutes.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 8g
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 40 cookies vanilla wafers
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup fresh whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- 1
Place the 40 vanilla wafers into a food processor and pulse until the cookies resemble coarse sawdust or breadcrumbs—you want small pieces about the size of peppercorns, not a fine powder.
- 2
Pour the melted butter over the crushed wafers and sprinkle in the salt, then stir with a fork until the crumbs are evenly coated and look slightly dampened, about 30 seconds.
- 3
Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a medium bowl, then add the evaporated milk and whisk vigorously with a whisk or fork until the mixture is smooth and uniform, about 1 minute.
- 4
Spread one-third of the crushed wafer mixture across the bottom of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan or four individual serving glasses, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to create a thin, even layer.
- 5
Pour one-third of the condensed-milk mixture over the wafer layer, spreading it with a spatula until the crumbs are covered but visible through the creamy layer.
- 6
Repeat layers two more times, alternating crumbs and cream: wafer crumbs, then milk, then wafer crumbs, then milk, then final wafer crumbs on top.
- 7
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the layers soften slightly and meld together—you can prepare this up to 1 day ahead.
- 8
Spoon the serradura into serving bowls or glasses, drizzle with whipped cream if desired, and serve cold.
Tools you’ll need
- food processor or blender
- fork or whisk
- medium mixing bowl
- 9-by-5-inch loaf pan or four individual serving glasses
- rubber spatula
- plastic wrap
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