Bolinho de chuva

Bolinho de chuva (translates roughly as “rain cake”) is a dessert both in Portugal and Brazil. It is made from flour, eggs, milk and baking powder or baking soda. The doughnuts are deep-fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. The name refers to the raindrop shape the batter makes when it hits the oil and to the idea that it is a good rainy day project to make the dish.

The popularity of the bolinho de chuva was enhanced in Brazil by the series of books Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (The Yellow Woodpecker's Ranch) where Aunt Nastácia always made them for Pedrinho, Narizinho and the rag doll Emília.