Molotof: Airy Portuguese Egg White Pudding Dessert (52 characters) 2026

Molotof is a traditional Portuguese dessert with a texture that brings to mind a baked meringue, only softer, airier, and noticeably more moist. Despite its elegant appearance, it is a surprisingly simple pudding made from egg whites, sugar, and caramel that has earned a firm place in Portuguese home baking.

The caramel-lined mold gives the dessert a delicate golden sweetness, while the slow water bath keeps the egg whites tender instead of dry. The result is a light, cloudlike pudding that feels fancy yet takes very little effort to put together.

Ingredients for Molotof

These amounts make 10 servings of this light Portuguese dessert.

• 15 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 30 g white sugar
• 8 large egg whites
• 95 g powdered sugar
• 30 g liquid caramel

How to Make Molotof Step by Step

1. Prepare the mold

Preheat the oven to 180 °C with both top and bottom heat. Grease a 25 cm ring mold with the 15 grams of butter, then sprinkle the 30 grams of white sugar over it, spreading it evenly around the whole mold. Turn the mold upside down to knock out any excess sugar and set it aside while you continue with the recipe.

2. Start whipping the egg whites

Begin whipping the 8 large egg whites with a whisk or mixer on low speed.

3. Add the powdered sugar

Once the egg whites start to foam, add the 95 grams of powdered sugar and keep beating until the whites are fully whipped.

4. Add the caramel and beat to a firm meringue

At that point, add the 30 grams of liquid caramel and continue beating at medium speed until you get a firm meringue.

5. Fill the mold and smooth the top

Pour the meringue into the prepared mold, give it a few gentle taps by lifting and lowering it onto the work surface to remove any air bubbles trapped in the meringue, and smooth the surface with a spatula.

6. Bake in a water bath

Set up a water bath by placing the mold inside a larger dish filled with water, then transfer it to the oven for 20 minutes. During baking the meringue will rise a lot and then fall back down. After 20 minutes, turn off the oven and open it just a small crack. Let the Molotof cool inside the oven like this for 40 minutes.

7. Cool on a rack

Take it out of the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.

8. Unmold and chill

Unmold the Molotof and keep it in the refrigerator.

9. Serve cold

Serve the Molotof cold as a dessert, either on its own or with a little more liquid caramel.

Tips for the Best Molotof

Keep the oven closed while baking

To get a perfect Portuguese Molotof, avoid opening the oven during baking so your egg white pudding doesn't lose volume. Use the egg whites at room temperature so they whip better and form a stable meringue.

Cool it slowly inside the oven

Once baked, let it cool inside the turned-off oven to prevent the Molotof from dropping or sinking due to a sudden temperature change.

How to serve it

When serving, you can present it just as it is or add a little liquid caramel to intensify the sweetness of this surprising dessert.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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