Bolo de mel

Considered to be Madeira's oldest dessert, bolo de mel is a cake made with honey, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, and other spices. This richly spiced cake is thought to have been invented in the 15th century, during the expansion of sugar plantations on the island, and it was originally made with molasses, which meant it could be stored for up to 5 years.

Bolo de mel was traditionally prepared for Christmas, but nowadays it can be found all year round because it is very popular with the locals. In Madeira, it is customary not to cut the cake, but rather to tear off the pieces by hand.