Fatias de Tomar are a celebrated egg-based sweet of central Portugal. They are not from Fátima itself — they belong to the town of Tomar, a short distance away — but they are widely found in the pastry shops of the region, including in Fátima.
The sweet was originally made by nuns at the Convent of Christ in Tomar, and it is a striking piece of Portuguese conventual confectionery. It is made entirely from egg yolks: the yolks are beaten and cooked gently in a bain-marie, in a special pan, then the resulting set 'cake' is sliced and the slices are simmered in sugar syrup. The result is intensely rich and sweet, a pure expression of the egg-and-sugar tradition.
Given its origin in Tomar, near Fátima, fatias de Tomar are a natural part of any tour of the sweets of the region, and a treat for visitors with a taste for the conventual desserts of Portugal.
⭐ Must-try:
Fatias de Tomar
Highlights
- A celebrated egg-based sweet of central Portugal
- From the town of Tomar, near Fátima — not Fátima itself
- Originally made by nuns at the Convent of Christ
- Made entirely from egg yolks, cooked in a bain-marie
- Sliced and simmered in sugar syrup — intensely rich
Frequently asked questions
Are fatias de Tomar from Fátima?
No. They are from the town of Tomar, a short distance from Fátima, but they are widely found in the region's pastry shops.
What are fatias de Tomar made of?
They are made entirely from egg yolks, cooked gently in a bain-marie, then sliced and simmered in sugar syrup.
What do they taste like?
Intensely rich and sweet — a pure expression of the egg-and-sugar tradition of Portuguese conventual confectionery.