Traditional Indian Christmas Sweets: Exploring the enchanting sweet dish Bebinca aka the “Queen of Goan Desserts”

Bebinca has been synonymous with the cultural heritage of Goa since colonial times.

Not only is the Indian state of Goa renowned for its clear blue seas and balmy beaches, but it also boasts an inventive and robust food culture. Some of the most internationally famous Goan specialties include the gravy-based dishes of “Xacuti” and “Balchao.” Goa is also a sweet lovers’ haven; delectable delights such as Marzipan, Bolinhas, Nevri, and Dodol are among its most appetizing desserts. However, the visually stunning and absolutely delicious Bebinca cake is undoubtedly the jewel in the culinary crown of Goa. Bebinca is a layered cake that is a staple during festivals, parties, weddings, and Goan celebrations and events in general. No visit to Goa is complete without indulging in this scrumptious treat. In fact, many tourists take packs of Bebinca home with them to share the sweet delicacy with their near and dear ones.

With Christmas right around the corner, let’s do a deep dive on all things Bebinca. This sweet treat is sure to light up many Christmas parties and get-togethers! According to food historians, Bebinca became a part of the food culture of Goa during the colonial times, with the advent of the Portuguese. Despite being an intricately layered and complex dish, you surprisingly only need five basic ingredients to prepare Bebinca—coconut milk, egg yolks, flour, ghee, and sugar. This combination of sweet and savory ingredients provides the dish a balanced flavor, neither is it too sweet nor too spicy, but a perfect blend of both these taste profiles. The layers are typically baked or grilled until they take on a bright yellow, almost luminous bewitching golden color. The dish is traditionally eaten with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Cooking and baking are art forms, and like any kind of art, these fields are always undergoing progress and innovation. Although chocolate isn’t popularly used in Bebinca, many home chefs tend to experiment by adding Cadbury chocolate as a secret ingredient to their bebinca creations! You too can season your homemade Bebinca with your favorite sugary foods. Try to stick to classic products though—it’s difficult to go wrong with something as timeless as Cadbury chocolate.

One of the most interesting tidbits about Bebinca is the symbolic value attached to the dessert. The layers, which can range from seven to sixteen, are believed to represent the seven stages of human life. They are also thought to be endowed with human virtues, such as kindness, bravery, strength, and so on. The belief is that as one consumes these layers, they are blessed with the aforementioned virtues, and thus, a step closer to becoming a complete and an enlightened human being. With such profound meaning attached to Bebinca, it’s hardly a wonder this dessert has fascinated locals and tourists alike for centuries. It’s also clear why Bebinca is usually the centerpiece of Goan occasions, especially during Christmas feasts and related shindigs. Here’s a recipe that will enable you to make this auspicious dessert from the comfort of your home.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of maida (all-purpose flour)
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• 1 cup of ghee
• 1 cup of sugar
• 8 egg yolks
• ½ a teaspoon of nutmeg powder
• ½ a teaspoon of cardamom powder
• 1 helping of salt
• 1 pack of vanilla ice cream
• 1 bar of Cadbury Silk chocolate (optional)

Directions:

• Blend the coconut milk and the maida in a decently sized mixing bowl thoroughly to create a batter that is smooth and free of lumps. Keep the mixture aside for approximately 15 minutes, so that it has enough time to set.
• In the meantime, take a second bowl, and begin creaming the ghee and the sugar until a light and soft, pillowy texture is formed..
• Eventually, introduce the 8 yolks to the ghee and the sugar combination. Ensure that you add the egg yolks one at a time, and continue whisking the mixture for a silky consistency.
• Subsequently, introduce the nutmeg powder and the cardamom powder to the newly whisked egg yolk combination. Then, add a hint of salt to the mixture and stir thoroughly.
• Then, coolly and calmly, merge the flour-coconut milk batter with the egg yolk combination. Mix the two thoroughly to ensure the newly formed batter is nice and thick, and devoid of unnecessary lumps.
• Set your oven to 180°C for the purpose of pre-heating.
• Take a round-shaped baking dish and grease the utensil. Alternately, you can also line it with parchment paper.
• Introduce a slim layer of the batter on the baking dish and spread it carefully.
• Put the baking dish in your pre-heated oven and allow only the first layer to bake for nearly 10 to 15 minutes till you see its surface transform to a golden brown color.
• After the layer has been baked to your satisfaction, remove the baking dish from the oven, and pour another layer of batter into the utensil. Continue following the same process until all the batter has been emptied into the dish. You should have about 7 to 16 layers in your finished cake.
• After you have introduced the last layer, bake the entire Bebinca for a duration of 40 to 50 minutes, or until you see its surface changing color to a rich golden brown.
• Once the entire dessert has been baked, extricate it from the oven and let it rest in the baking dish to allow it cool down.
• Once the bebinca has attained room temperature, slice it into pieces and plate it with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Note: If you want to introduce a chocolate element in your bebinca, melt the Cadbury Silk bar and mix it with the batter before baking the respective layers. You can add other ingredients of your choice in the same way.

So, here you have it! Your very own special recipe for one of the most beloved desserts of Goa as well as India. Make your Christmas extra special by trying out this simple but effective recipe.