Serradura is a traditional Portuguese-style no-bake dessert made with layers of whipped cream and finely crushed Marie biscuits. The biscuit crumbs resemble sawdust, which gives this dessert its name. This easy recipe needs only three ingredients and can be assembled in individual glasses or one large serving bowl. After a few hours of chilling, it becomes creamy, light and ready to serve.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: Not specified
- Total time: 260 minutes
- Yield: 4 · 4 Dessert Glasses
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: World
Ingredients
- 300 ml/1¼ cup whipping cream (or heavy cream – 35% fat and above)
- 120 grams/½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 28 (about 144 grams) Marie Biscuits (or Maria Cookies)
- fresh cherries (or fresh berries)
- almonds (or pistachios – sliced)
- chocolate (– grated)
- mint leaves
- Marie biscuits
Method
- Using a blender or mixer-grinder, crush the Marie biscuits into very fine crumbs that resemble sawdust.
- Whip the chilled cream until soft peaks form.
- Add the condensed milk and continue whipping until the mixture holds its shape well and forms medium-stiff peaks.Alternatively, whip the cream a little beyond soft peaks, until it holds its shape well but is not stiff. Gently fold in the condensed milk with a spatula until evenly combined. Do not over-mix.
- Add an even layer of biscuit crumbs to the bottom of dessert glasses, jars, or a serving bowl. Gently level the crumbs with the back of a spoon.
- Spread or pipe an even layer of the whipped cream over the biscuit crumbs.If spreading with a spoon or offset spatula, smooth the surface before adding the next layer.
- Continue alternating biscuit and cream layers until the container is almost full.
- Finish with a final layer of biscuit crumbs.
- Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until well chilled and set.
- Garnish with cherries, fresh fruit, sliced nuts or a Marie biscuit before serving.
Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note
Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.