Flavors · Pernambuco

Bolo de rolo

Butter-based cake with an ultra-thin batter, rolled in many layers with guava paste. A Pernambuco adaptation of a Portuguese cake, it is recognized by state law as cultural and intangible heritage of Pernambuco.

Traditional sweet from Pernambuco

Updated October 2026

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Bolo de rolo — Pernambuco, Brazil — Bolo de rolo

Bolo de rolo — Pernambuco, Brazil

Bolo de rolo is made of buttered batter layers so thin they resemble paper. Each layer is baked, spread with melted guava paste and rolled over the previous one, until a firm roll is formed. When sliced, the piece reveals a spiral of thin lines of batter and guava paste.

The recipe descends from a Portuguese cake called colchão de noiva, rolled and filled with almonds. In Pernambuco, land of sugar mills, the almonds were replaced by guava paste, made from the abundant guava of the Zona da Mata, and the batter became progressively thinner.

A state law recognizes bolo de rolo as cultural and intangible heritage of Pernambuco. The state also granted the same title to other sweets of the sugar tradition, such as bolo Souza Leão.

Pernambucans insist on the distinction: bolo de rolo is not the same as rocambole. Rocambole usually has a thicker batter; bolo de rolo is made of many very thin layers of batter and guava paste.

The cake is served in thin slices, with coffee, and is commonly found at visits, parties and in the luggage of those leaving Pernambuco. Besides guava paste, there are versions with other fillings, but guava is the traditional one.

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Where it comes from

Pernambuco
State law recognizes bolo de rolo as cultural and intangible heritage of Pernambuco.

Ingredients

Butter, sugar, eggs and wheat flour in the batter; melted guava paste for the filling; sugar for dusting.

How it is eaten

In thin slices, with coffee, at room temperature.

When it is eaten

Year-round; common at visits and parties, and as a travel souvenir.

Your questions

Questions about Bolo de rolo

What is bolo de rolo?

It is a Pernambuco cake made of ultra-thin buttered batter, rolled in many layers with guava paste. It is cultural and intangible heritage of Pernambuco.

Is bolo de rolo the same as rocambole?

No. Rocambole usually has a thicker batter; bolo de rolo has many very thin layers of batter and guava paste.

What is the origin of bolo de rolo?

It comes from the colchão de noiva, a Portuguese cake rolled with almonds. In Pernambuco, the almond was replaced by guava paste.

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