Pão de Ló

Pão de ló (sponge cake) is a simple and much-loved Portuguese dessert commonly consisting of flour, eggs, sugar, salt, and lemon or orange peel. The best-known recipes are from the northern provinces, with regional differences in the proportion of eggs, flour, sugar, and cooking times. Pão de ló is served plain and, in addition to being enjoyed fresh, is also used day-old as the basis for puddings and other desserts. The Portuguese introduced an early form of pão de ló to Japan during the sixteenth century, and it is still enjoyed by the Japanese and referred to as castela, kasutera, or pan. A half-baked version of pão de ló known as alfeizerão is eaten like pudding. See japanese baked goods.