Servings
Font
Back
Portuguese Mini Lemon-Orange Cakes ~ Queques
5 from 18 votes

Portuguese Mini Lemon-Orange Cakes ~ Queques

Portuguese Mini Lemon-Orange Cakes, also known as Queques, are small, tender cakes flavored with grated lemon and orange zest. The batter combines butter, milk, sugar, flour, eggs, and subtle vanilla, resulting in light, moist mini muffins with bright citrus notes. Baked in mini-muffin tins, they develop a golden brown exterior and a soft crumb perfect for a light dessert or snack.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 30 cakes
Calories: 89 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Portuguese

Ingredients

  • 12 tablespoons (6 oz) butter plus more for greasing the pans, unsalted
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, grated
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest grated
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg whisked, plus 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract pure

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Position the rack in the middle of the oven and crank the heat to 400°F (200°C). Brush two 12-well mini-muffin tins (1 3/4-by-7/8-inch) with butter. Set aside.
  2. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted. Remove the pan from the stove and let the mixture cool until warm.
  3. In a large bowl, rub the lemon and orange zests into the sugar with your fingers until fragrant. 
  4. Dump in the flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk to combine.
  5. Stir the egg, yolk, and vanilla into the warm milk mixture and then pour it into the flour mixture in several additions, stirring gently until the ingredients are just incorporated and the batter is smooth.
  6. Spoon the batter into the prepared pans, three-quarters full. Bake until the cakes are well-risen and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. 
  7. Transfer the pans to a rack, cool for 5 minutes, and then pop out the mini cakes. Serve warm piled high in a napkin-lined basket or large cake stand.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cake Calories 89kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 0.2g (10%) Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 23mg (1%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 5g (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30 cakes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 89

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cake
Calories 89kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 23mg 1%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 5g 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.