Bica Gallega Recipe: Authentic Galician Butter Cake 2026

Bica gallega is one of the most beloved sweets in traditional Galician baking. Its dense yet spongy crumb, unmistakable butter flavor, and signature golden top have won over palates for generations.

The bica is spongy and dense at the same time, with a compact crumb that melts in your mouth. Butter is the dominant flavor, so using the best quality butter you can find is key to achieving the perfect balance of taste.

This tender treat is perfect alongside a coffee or hot chocolate for an afternoon snack or after-dinner dessert. Bica is a symbol of family gatherings and celebrations in the region, though it is also perfect for breakfast on any given day as a delicious indulgence. Traditionally it is eaten on its own, but you can also serve it with jams, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.

Ingredients for Bica Gallega

For 8 servings

• 3 medium eggs
• 180 g white sugar (150 g for the batter and 30 g for sprinkling the top)
• 150 g unsalted butter
• 150 ml heavy whipping cream (at least 35% fat)
• 300 g wheat flour
• 12 g baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Bica Gallega Step by Step

1. Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating the oven to 170 °C with top and bottom heat. Grease and line a square baking pan of about 20 x 20 cm with parchment paper, then set it aside.

2. Beat the Eggs with Sugar

Continue by beating 3 medium eggs with 150 grams of white sugar until they double in volume.

3. Add the Melted Butter

Without stopping the beating, gradually add 150 grams of melted butter. To melt the butter, you can use the microwave in 20-second intervals or a saucepan over low heat.

4. Pour in the Heavy Cream

Once the butter is incorporated, pour in 150 ml of heavy whipping cream and mix it well with the rest of the batter.

5. Sift the Flour with Baking Powder

Sift 300 grams of wheat flour together with 12 grams of baking powder.

6. Fold the Flour into the Batter

Fold the flour into the batter with gentle wrapping motions until no traces of flour remain.

7. Pour, Top, and Bake

Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Mix 30 grams of white sugar with ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and scatter the mixture evenly over the surface of the batter. Bake the bica at 170 °C for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool Before Serving

Remove the bica from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then unmold it and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Once cold, cut the bica into portions and serve, whether as a dessert or to accompany a café con leche at breakfast or snack time.

Tips for the Best Bica Gallega

Use High-Quality Butter

The bica is spongy and dense at the same time, with a compact crumb that melts in your mouth. Butter is the dominant flavor, so using the best quality butter you can find is key to achieving the perfect balance of taste.

Serve It for Any Occasion

This tender treat is perfect alongside a coffee or hot chocolate for an afternoon snack or after-dinner dessert. Bica is a symbol of family gatherings and celebrations in the region, though it is also perfect for breakfast on any given day as a delicious indulgence.

Pairing Suggestions

Traditionally it is eaten on its own, but you can also serve it with jams, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.

30 Favorite Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

Maybe you're wired the same way I am: your kitchen rotation is a blend of cozy standbys, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make a crowd happy.

Some nights I want something luxurious, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a deeply rich Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when only fruit-forward comfort will do, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For quick morning meals and lighter plates, I regularly whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever my pantry needs a gluten-free basic, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

On evenings built around tapas and Mediterranean tastes, I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever the occasion calls for a little extra polish.

For stick-to-your-ribs midday meals and comforting suppers, my go-tos are this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something even more substantial, I turn to this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the supremely cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime street food or party fare is on my mind, I'll throw together this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a light starter or snack.

And when I'm hosting and mixing drinks to go with a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring it all together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or capping the meal with this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After countless rounds of testing and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely cook on repeat—whether it's a fast solo meal or something festive for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the lush, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is my pick when I want a dessert that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another treat I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the celebrated Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly done Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For more filling comfort fare, I frequently suggest the crowd-pleasing Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the luscious Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Sharing dishes from across the globe is another joy of mine, among them the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is yet another category I turn to often, since it delivers speed without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most 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 those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and deeply comforting without any gluten.

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