Saturday 4 January 2014

Serradura (Macanese Sawdust Pudding) : Asian Food Fest Hong Kong & Macau


When I saw the photo of this dessert on Annie Mok's introductory post to the Asian Food Fest Hong Kong & Macau, I was very interested. It looked so cute in the little plastic tub and I like the name Serradura. Sounds so exotic but it actually means sawdust in Portugese. 



I would like to give my friend support for the event she is hosting and Serradura appears to be something within my humble and limited capabilities. Besides, everyone in the family loves dessert and I can be sure that my efforts will not go to waste.



I googled and spent quite a bit of time oogling at the numerous Serraduras out there. This is a dessert that is very easy to prepare and you can use any form of containers you like be it glass tumblers, small bowls, elegant wine glasses or even plastic cups. I have chosen to use the plastic cups I bought from Tesco as it is convenient and has a cover.


Marie biscuits. Grandma calls it "Mani Pianh". A childhood staple.

You only need 4 ingredients which are whipping cream, Marie biscuits, condensed milk and vanilla. As far as I am concerned, there are 3 pitfalls when attempting this dessert. One is over beating your whipping cream, two is estimating how many containers of Serradura you can make and lastly getting nice even layers (mine were really inconsistent. Not really an issue as I accepted my limitations).


Plastic cups with covers are very convenient.

In true Phong Hong fashion, I fumbled my way through (at 5:00 am in the morning mind you). My more capable and talented sisters (or brothers) will have no problems tackling this dessert and presenting it elegantly. The recipe I used is from The Missing Lokness which was adapted from My Buttery Fingers.



The recipe says that it makes 6 cups and I had no idea how many of my cups would get filled. I needed 8 : 4 for my partner's children, 4 for my partner's sister and her family and 2 for his other sister. I could have done the maths but my brain can't work so early in the morning (math is not my strong suit). And I decided to just go along and see what happens.


My piping nozzle. I just used an ordinary ziploc bag as my piping bag.

OK, let me share with you some tips, not that you talented people need any. It is more for my future reference and also in case there are people like me who are a bit blur hee..hee...

1. Make sure you beat the whipping cream until soft peaks first before adding vanilla and condensed milk (It does say so in the recipe, I just want to emphasize).

2. Then beat the cream for a short while to evenly mix the condensed milk. Have a taste. If it is not sweet enough, add a little more and taste until you are happy. I find that 1/2 cup of condensed milk to 2 cups of whipping cream is just nice and not too sweet.

3. Continue to beat until stiff peaks and then STOP. Don't overbeat because the whipped cream will split and become watery and you will cry. 

4. I find it easier to pipe the whipped cream to get a neat finish. After piping to the thickness you are happy with (for me it was about 1/2 to 1 inch), give your container a gentle tap on your work surface to smooth out the cream.

5. Use a teaspoon to sprinkle the biscuit crumbs onto the cream layer, dropping the crumbs at the edges of the container and then the center. Then give your container another gentle tap to even out the crumbs. The thickness of the crumbs should be enough for you to see the layering between the crumbs and the cream. Repeat till your container is filled, ending with the biscuit crumbs.


Inconsistent layering. Asal sedap, sodah!

Am I being long winded? Getting old, what to do? Anyway, with the original recipe, I did manage 8 not very full cups. My cups have a maximum capacity of 200ml. Six of them were 2/3 filled and the other two only 1/3 filled (one layer of cream and one layer of biscuits). Luckily I had one more carton of whipping cream in the fridge. I made more of the cream and voila! All my 8 cups were generously filled.


All safely stashed in the fridge. Can Phong Hong resist?

And there you go, my first ever Serradura, a dessert I would not have known existed if not for this AFF event. As for the taste and texture, I can only imagine. I tasted the cream and yummy! yummy! it was good. It has been a long time since I had condensed milk. My mum used to refer to it as "Ang Jee Guleng" back in the Susu Cap Junjung days. I can bet this dessert tastes heavenly but I did not eat any because I am on a diet :( Sobbbbsss.........waarrrrghhhhhh......rolling, rolling on the kitchen floor...........)











Serradura (Macanese Sawdust Pudding)
Adapted from : The Missing Lokness

This recipe makes 8 generous 200ml capacity plastic cups (the ones you see up there)

Ingredients :
- 600ml whipping cream
- 40 Marie biscuits
- 3/4 cups condensed milk
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Other tools (optional) :
- a piping bag with a simple nozzle

Method :
1. Crush the Marie biscuits finely using either a food processor or place them in a plastic bag and simply bash them with a rolling pin/pestle (This one is good for anger management)
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the whipping cream until soft peaks.
3. Add vanilla and condensed milk.
4. Continue to beat until stiff peaks.
5. Transfer the whipped cream into a piping bag and pipe about 1 inch thick of cream into each cup. Tap the cups gently to level the cream.
6. Using a teaspoon, sprinkle crushed biscuits onto the cream. Again tap the cup gently to level evenly.
7. Repeat piping the cream over the biscuit layer and continue to layer to desired height, ending with the biscuit crumbs. 
8. Cover the containers and chill in the fridge for a few hours or place in freezer for 4 hours and take out to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Notes : 
1. Please read the tips in my post above before proceeding.
2. For me, the amount of condensed milk is just nice for a mild sweetness. 



I am submitting this post to Asian Food Fest Hong Kong & Macau hosted by Annie of Annielicious Food.

39 comments:

  1. Your sawdust pudding looks perfect! I just made that for my family during Christmas. A pipping bag definitely sounds like a great idea. I will try that next time. Thank you so much for trying out the recipe and linking back. Have a happy new year!

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    1. Thank you and Happy New Year! And thanks for your recipe. Too bad I couldn't eat the pudding :(

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  2. Hello Phong Hong
    I have totally forgotten about this delicious dessert I once have made back in 2011. I just love the having those "sawdust" in my mouth! What about you? Happy New Year!!

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    1. Hi Mel! Wait till I come down to my target weight and I will make this dessert again. Then I tell you how I like the sawdust hee..hee..

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  3. This is so easy and looks awesome dear Phong Hong. Thanks for sharing. happy new year

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    1. Happy New Year, Swasthi! Very easy dessert for all to try!

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  4. hahaha PH, really enjoyed reading the way you describe how you make this dessert!
    ketawa sampai nangis! yes, asal sodap, sudah! hahaha you are really hilarious my dear...
    I guess we both have the same kind of thinking - in cooking and food - taste comes first - no artsy fartsy - as long as can fart, sudah! hahahaha so perut takder kembung angin LOL LOL...tu angin kalau naik kepala siapa susah kan? dapur pun tak berasap lagi..anak2 n hubby makan kedai hari2 hihihi....

    haduii PH dear, thanks for the laugh sayang....hilang penat akak hari ni...

    I sure love this dessert, this is exactly similar with cheese layer cream crackers as I always serve to my special guests for catering, only you use biskut marie instead of cream crackers biscuit. You know dear, everytime i take this order my heart will get a massive rumble as for every 5 times making, 3 of them will make me cry my heart out LOL - the cream will split no matter how careful i handle with it, really disturbing la whuaaaaa.....

    oh ya I sure will enjoy this like no tomorrow before wash it all with a big glass of lemon juice as expiation waaaaahahahah...

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    1. Hah! Hah! Hah! Kak Q, jangan fart masa tengah masak, OK? I have been thinking of trying your cheese layer cream crackers tapi takder masa nak cuba. One day I will try it because I know I will love it. PH pun takut masa pukul whipping cream. It happened before when the cream spilt. My God! Berterabur air yang keluar dari cream. Anyway, I hope to make this dessert again. WiIll hop over to your kitchen now to see your version of Serradura!

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  5. I made this before, it was yummy, but a bit fat lar, hahaha..

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    1. Sonia, that's why lah I dare not eat. But regret a bit. Should have curi I teaspoon.

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  6. Ah I didn't know its name, but a friend made this for us before. I still prefer tiramisu over this but I may attempt it myself to see if my kids like it ;)

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    1. Hi Yen! The thing is, I refrained from trying it. I would imagine that it is lighter in texture compared to Tiramisu.

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  7. Don't mind eating some sawdust, your sawdust dessert that is :)) Sounds delicious! You have such good self control, i wouldn't be able to resist if i were u :)

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    1. Hah! Hah! I had another round of trying on pants at Aeon and I keep seeing the image of my belly fats spilling out of the waistband!

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  8. I had this in the restaurant before…yours look better really!

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  9. Hi Phong Hong...Happy New Year, dear friend! I've finally recuperated from all the holiday festivities, and I am so glad it's all over, and start the new year!
    I love your beautiful and layered yummy pudding. I am totally craving this perfect dessert...although our supermarkets do not carry this brand biscuits, but seeing what type they are; the are what you call simple tea biscuits, so I can totally make this !
    Your crispy baked chicken with the tomatoes in your previous post is very inviting and oh, so incredibly delicious!
    Keep on bringing more of your amazing foods and desserts, I just love seeing them, and keeping in touch with you!

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    1. Hi Elisabeth! Happy New Year! You are right, these are tea biscuits. I used to love them them when I was a child. Many thanks for your lovely compliments! You are one of the people who give me lots of motivation when I read you comments. Have a good 2014, my dear friend!

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  10. It looks yum l can finish 3 at one go but since 4 for this 4 for that 2 for this in the end none for me .Poor me l will have to be next to you when you are preparing this so that l can grab my share before it goes out of the door

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    1. EE, for you I think have to make at least 4 or else you will complain tak cukup makan! Hee..hee...

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  11. Hi Phong Hong, Your Serradura looks yummy! And I like the description of how you made it!

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    1. Thank you, Doris! Layering was quite a chore. I was sweating away!

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  12. Interesting! Layers? Ummm...no, thank you. I'm sooooo lazy! :D

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    1. Arthur, I agree that the layering was a pain! But it is OK to do that once in a while.

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  13. Looks great! I have to kudo to you for resisting the temptation of getting a taste of your creation. I would have failed miserably. :P

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    1. Hee...hee...I had a good look at myself in the changing room while doing another round of shopping and that image can help kill my appetite :D

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  14. Wah, so fast 25 comments already, and I was just been missing during the weekend. Haha.

    Oohh, when I see the word "sawdust", I am already thinking of crushed biscuits (Marie or Digestive).. What a nice name - Serradura.. Reminds me of Que Sera Sera.. Haha..

    Oh really? Whipped cream if over-beaten will become watery back again? Hmm, thanks for sharing, now I know. I seldom beat whipped cream tho', but it's good to know..

    Ok, for your serradura, I don't think I can dig with my fingers and eat like that, I need a spoon for this, haha..

    Err, I have to agree with you on the "fiat" part.. This dessert is very fiat-tening (because of the whipping cream).. But ala, who cares? Tell me, which dessert is NOT fiat-tening wor?

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    1. Louiz, I am fiat! fiat! fiat! That's why lah I tahan I don't eat. CNY coming and I still can't get nice pants wor!

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    2. Maybe CNY that time can become fatt! fatt! fatt!

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  15. Hi Phong Hong, I was attracted by the word "sawdust" here. I think I've seen some of my blogger friends made this before. Looks cool in the pictures, must also be nice to eat in summer!

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    1. Jessie, you can eat lah! People so slim even tho bake and cook so many nice things. Hee..hee...

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  16. you didnt eat them? how can? can tahan ar? i thot your rule is eat first diet later...LOL!

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    1. Cannot! Cannot! Cannot! Too fat liao! Aiyo, Lena...my rule is my downfall sobs!

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  17. Such a unique dessert! Sounds delicious....

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    1. Mich, the moment I saw it, I just had to make this dessert :)

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  18. What an interesting name for a dessert! I think if I saw that on a menu I might not order it, haha. Your version looks delicious! :D Happy New Year!

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  19. Hi Phong Hong, very delightful dessert and addictive too. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Have a nice day.

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    1. Hi Amelia! Imagine preparing this dessert and not eating it. I must make again and must eat!

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