Baba de Camelo

A Wholesome Twist on a Classic: Almond and Coconut Milk Baba de Camelo
This healthy, egg-free take on Baba de Camelo reimagines the traditional Portuguese dessert using condensed milk, almonds, and coconut milk—offering a rich yet lighter alternative.

At a mutual friend’s wedding reception, fellow chef Amalina invited me to photograph the elaborate food preparations for an event hosting 250–300 guests. During a quiet moment before lunch, I wandered over to capture the beautifully arranged spread of vegetarianized local and traditional delicacies.

As my lens swept across the tables, a particular dessert caught my eye—elegantly presented in a glass. Intrigued, I snapped several shots, captivated by its rich texture. Curious, I asked the chef about its name. She explained that the groom had long craved a special dessert and had requested Baba de Camelo for the occasion.

Seizing the moment, I teasingly mentioned to the groom that a ‘partial Baba de Camelo’ had appeared in the kitchen, seemingly waiting for him. Amused, he hurried over. One spoonful later, his delighted expression said it all—he nodded in approval, a broad smile spreading across his face. One happy groom, one perfect dessert.

Despite Portugal’s fame for its egg-based conventual sweets, Baba de Camelo is not one of them. Its origins remain somewhat of a mystery, though one popular tale recounts how a woman named Valentina found herself hosting unexpected guests late one evening. With limited ingredients, she improvised a dessert using condensed milk and eggs. Worried it wouldn’t be enough for everyone, she named it Baba de Camelo (meaning “camel’s drool”) to deter some from trying it. The plan worked—but those who did taste it were pleasantly surprised. A lesson that fortune favors the bold!

This almond-based version preserves the indulgent texture and depth of flavor while introducing the wholesome benefits of omega-3-rich almonds, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. Known for regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and promoting satiety, almonds make this a dessert as nutritious as it is delicious.

Now, go ahead—try this delightful variation of Baba de Camelo.

Print Recipe

Baba de Camelo

Dessert – Portuguese

Serves: 5-6 servings

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes – Cooking Time: N/A – Total Time: 10-15 minutes

A traditional Portuguese dessert made with almonds, rice syrup, and lemon juice—perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds roasted and blended
• 1/2 cup rice syrup
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence
• Few sticks of cinnamon for garnish
• Some blackberry and raspberry for garnishing

Instructions

1

Set the berries aside for garnish.

2

Blend the almonds, rice syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla essence until you achieve a smooth paste.

3

Chill the blended mixture until well chilled.

4

Pour the chilled mixture into a serving bowl or an attractive glass.

5

Garnish with the reserved berries and arrange the cinnamon sticks on top as an optional flourish.

6

Enjoy your dessert.

Nutrition

• 217.5 Calories
• 34.4g Carbohydrates
• 0.0mg Cholesterol
• 14.5g Fat
• 3.5g Fiber
• 5.5g Protein
• 5.0mg Sodium
• 0.0g Trans fat