Spanish desserts are an enormous a part of Spain’s tradition, and every city and metropolis has its specialties. From decadent Spanish cheesecake to creamy scorching chocolate, there is a candy for each time of day and each month of the 12 months! Learn on to find essentially the most well-known desserts in Spain.
Do not let all of the discuss Spain’s Mediterranean weight loss plan idiot you into pondering the nation is simply too health-obsessed. Spaniards have a critical candy tooth! From sugary custards to chocolate-filled pastries, Spanish dessert menus are bursting with candy, candy pleasure.
Most individuals in Spain have one thing candy every single day of the week—not less than as soon as a day, however typically extra. Their trick to staying wholesome? Moderation and many strolling!
All About Spanish Desserts
Like so many meals in Spain, lots of the nation’s desserts are regional. For instance, the Moorish affect in southern Spain means a number of of the desserts there are almond-based. In Catalonia, simply south of the French border, numerous conventional sweets have a decidedly French aptitude.
However irrespective of the place in Spain you’re, your candy tooth will not be disillusioned. Listed below are 27 treats that can make your mouth water—plus some straightforward Spanish dessert recipes as a way to strive them at house!
1. Tarta de Santiago (Spanish Almond Cake)
Tarta de Santiago could be essentially the most deceiving dessert in all of Spain. It breaks all my regular dessert guidelines; there is not any chocolate, it is served at room temperature, and it typically comes pre-made from a field.
However with only one chunk of this skinny, tremendous moist Spanish cake, these guidelines appear to soften away. This almond-based candy is a typical dessert from Galicia, and extra particularly Santiago de Compostela, the place the Camino de Santiago ends. It is often adorned with a powdered-sugar cross of St. James.
Recipe: No have to go all the way in which to Galicia—strive our tarta de Santiago recipe at house!
2. Tarta de Queso (Spanish Cheesecake)
Spanish cheesecake is about as completely different from New York-style cheesecake as attainable. It is typically gentle and fluffy with a powerful cheese taste. The crust is often drier, crunchier, and extra like a cookie. And I’ve solely ever seen one (uncommon) cheesecake topping in Spain: berries.
Then there’s the legendary Basque cheesecake, which is its personal factor solely. Made well-known by La Viña in San Sebastian, this iconic Spanish candy is creamy, crustless, and completely burnt on prime.
Regardless of the model, cheesecake is a staple of the Spanish dessert menu. Consequently, it is also a staple of my weekend dinners!
Recipes: Make the well-known Basque cheesecake recipe at house, or strive the Cantabrian tackle cheesecake, known as quesada pasiega.
3. Torrijas
If it had been as much as me, torrijas can be on each dessert menu, every single day of the 12 months. These drunken, cinnamon-spiced slices of fried bread take the acquainted idea of French toast to an entire new degree.
Tragically, it is virtually inconceivable to search out torrijas outdoors of the Easter season. Solely in March and April are the window shows and dessert menus of Spanish pastry retailers, cafés, and eating places loaded with torrijas, Spain’s conventional Easter dessert.
Torrijas are available in three conventional flavors: milk and cinnamon, wine and easy syrup, or soaked in honey. All of them are positively scrumptious. And sure—the picture above additionally reveals a really non-traditional (however equally yummy) chocolate-covered torrija from Seville.
Recipe: Fortunately, these marvelous Spanish desserts aren’t tough to make at house. Strive our genuine torrijas recipe!
4. Crema Catalana
Crema catalana is usually known as the poor man’s crème brûlée. However on this match-up, I would put my cash with the poor man! Served in a humble, shallow clay dish, this custard dessert from Catalonia is massively in style all through the nation.
Creamy egg-yolk custard is topped with sugar, which is then torched to a crisp. This distinctive candy is so in style, actually, that you will discover crema catalana-flavored ice lotions and liqueurs throughout Spain.
Recipe: Get the most effective home made crema catalana recipe!
5. Chocolate & Churros
Though you will not often discover chocolate and churros on a Spanish dessert menu—and for those who do, run away!—it will be blasphemous to speak about Spanish sweets with out together with them.
Chocolate and churros is sort of a dessert that is damaged free from after-meal standing and brought on eat-it-whenever-you-want standing. Breakfast? Churros. Mid-morning snack? Churros. Late-night craving? Numerous churros.
Actually, Spaniards often eat churros both very first thing within the morning or after an evening out! These cylinders of fried dough are as versatile as they’re scrumptious. And the steaming cup of thick scorching chocolate that comes with them ain’t too unhealthy both (it is extra like a dip than a drink).
Recipe: In the event you’re not in Spain, no pasa nada! This is an straightforward churros recipe, plus one for the compulsory cup of home made Spanish scorching chocolate to pair it with.
6. Flan
Vanilla flan, egg flan, cheese flan, coconut flan, chestnut flan, Christmas chocolate flan… Spain is all about flan. This wealthy, gelatinous dessert is comprised of milk, sugar, and eggs, that are blended right into a metallic mildew that is then positioned in a water bathtub (recognized in Spain as a baño María).
As soon as cooked and cooled, the mildew is turned the wrong way up onto a plate, permitting that heavenly backside layer of caramel to cascade down the perimeters of the wobbly mountain of flan. Yum!
Recipes: Do that traditional Spanish flan recipe or our Canarian flan recipe (which makes use of condensed milk). And for those who’re in search of one thing completely different, how about pumpkin flan?
7. Miguelitos
There are few issues extra harmful for me to have in the home than a field stuffed with Miguelitos. Every tall sq. of fluffy phyllo-like dough—in my case, full of chocolate—is barely greater than a matchbox. One isn’t sufficient… however the entire field is a bit an excessive amount of (oops!).
Constituted of seemingly infinite layers of skinny pastry, they disintegrate into one million flaky items with every chunk. However in some way, the genius pastry chef who invented them managed to make these ethereal Spanish pastries marvelously moist and filled with a punch of chocolate ganache (or cream).
See Additionally: A Chocoholic’s Information to Chocolate in Spain
8. Tarta de Aceite (Olive Oil Cake)
I am an enormous cake lover, particularly within the afternoon alongside a piping scorching café con leche. My favourite Spanish muffins are easy ones that may be made in about an hour. They’re olive-oil primarily based, in order that they’re tremendous moist and scrumptious—and arguably more healthy than their butter-based cousins.
Recipe: There are countless styles of olive oil cake! Strive our lemon olive oil cake recipe, apple olive oil cake recipe, or chocolate olive oil cake recipe. Or do that lemon yogurt cake, which can be made with olive oil.
9. Mantecados & Polvorones (Spanish Christmas Cookies)
Spanish Christmas cookies aren’t often made at house; as a substitute, individuals refill on their favourite model of shortbread cookies on the native retailers. They’re wrapped in fairly paper and are available in quite a lot of flavors.
So what is the distinction? Mantecados are often made with lard, flour, and sugar, and could also be flavored with chocolate, lemon, cinnamon, and many others. Polvorones are a sort of mantecado made with almonds, and are so in style they get their very own title! Each may be made with butter as a substitute of lard if most well-liked.
These dry and crumbly cookies are a far cry from my mother’s chocolate chip cookies rising up, however I’ve come round to them over time. They’re tremendous candy and delicate sufficient to soften in your mouth—watch out when unwrapping them!
Recipes: On the lookout for straightforward Spanish desserts to make for Christmas? Strive our mantecados recipe and polvorones recipe.
10. Leche Frita (Fried Milk)
Fried milk might sound a bit odd at first, however I assure it is completely scrumptious and value a strive. Principally, you make a really milky custard after which deep-fry it in a crispy crust of sugar and cinnamon. Pictured with nougat ice cream right here, it is one among my favourite Spanish desserts!
Recipe: Try our leche frita recipe to make this conventional deal with at house!
11. Arroz con Leche (Spanish Rice Pudding)
Whereas we’re on the subject of milky Spanish desserts, have you ever tried Spanish rice pudding (arroz con leche)? This scrumptious and creamy deal with is a complete traditional, and undeniably comforting.
Relying on the place you’re in Spain, you would possibly discover this dessert served heat or chilly, with or with out cinnamon, and with or and not using a caramelized sugar crust (much like crema catalana).
Recipe: Do that arroz con leche recipe from Lauren’s Spanish mother-in-law!
12. Frisuelos (Spanish Crepes)
These skinny and easy Spanish crepes are typical in northern Spain, and are sometimes full of pastry cream or fruit compote. The fantastic thing about frisuelos is you could make them your personal with no matter filling you favor.
Some individuals break with custom by including Nutella or dulce de leche to their frisuelos. Others go for a purer model, with only a sprinkle of sugar on prime. Both approach, you actually cannot go mistaken!
Recipe: Strive our easy frisuelos recipe at house, and be at liberty so as to add your favourite fillings!
13. Roscos & Rosquillas (Spanish Donuts)
Like many European nations, Spain has its personal distinctive tackle the universally beloved donut. Right here they’re known as roscos or rosquillas, they usually’re particularly in style across the Christmas and Easter holidays.
Essentially the most conventional roscos are cake donuts (no yeast) flavored with aniseed and lemon zest, fried in olive oil, and rolled in granulated sugar. They’re additionally often smaller than the donuts you may be used to!
Recipe: Strive roscos at house with this straightforward Spanish donut recipe.
14. Tortas de la Abuela
Tortas de la abuela are one of many many kinds that fried dough can soak up Spain. Their title makes me think about a Spanish grandmother rigorously forming the sheets of dough, then remodeling them into crispy, decadent fritters by immersing them in olive oil infused with aniseed liqueur and lemon.
In the event you’re not satisfied but, take into account the truth that they’re then lined in a scorching glaze of honey and sugar. That is the type of indulgent deal with that is arduous to eat solely one among!
Recipe: Make this tortas de la abuela recipe at house—no Spanish grandma required!
15. Turrón
That is one other traditional Spanish Christmas dessert, though yow will discover it year-round in some specialty meals retailers. Turrón is a type of almond nougat that Spain has actually perfected.
It is available in varied kinds, from crunchy chunks speckled with almonds to the delicate and clean turrón blando and turrón de yema (made with egg yolks). Then there’s the type that is basically only a big chocolate bar! Some turrón retailers will even allow you to strive completely different varieties before you purchase.
Learn Extra: Uncover the fascinating historical past of turrón!
16. Buñuelos
Spain actually does love its fried dough—and buñuelos are yet one more variation on this primary idea. Relatively than being formed into cylinders or discs, buñuelos come within the type of bite-sized balls of dough.
This can be a conventional deal with throughout the vacation season, greatest loved steaming scorching from a avenue vendor to heat you up on a chilly day. There are countless variations, however I really like the straightforward pleasure of a buñuelo dusted liberally with powdered sugar and dunked right into a cup of scorching chocolate.
Recipe: Strive our primary buñuelos recipe for a little bit of Spanish Christmas cheer at house!
17. Pestiños
Okay, I promise that is the final variation of fried dough on this record! You possibly can’t discuss Spanish Easter desserts with out mentioning pestiños. These small items of folded dough are bought on the convents of Andalusia throughout Semana Santa, making them a really seasonal deal with.
Flavors can differ, however the traditional mixture is orange zest and aniseed—and naturally, loads of sugar! In the event you strive them at house, beware: their extremely crispy texture makes these sweets arduous to place down.
Recipe: Make this honey-glazed pestiños recipe to deliver Semana Santa straight to your kitchen!
18. Ensaimada
There’s quite a bit to like about Mallorcan meals, however the ensaimada would possibly simply be this Balearic island’s biggest achievement. This candy and flaky pastry comes within the type of an enormous spiral, which is then sliced up and served for breakfast or a snack (though it is also an ideal dessert).
The traditional model is generously dusted with powdered sugar, which enhances the not-too-sweet dough completely. It is also historically made with lard, however you may simply substitute butter or vegetable shortening for those who’re making it at house.
Recipe: Try this straightforward ensaimada recipe to dip your toes into the world of Mallorcan pastries. Simply needless to say in accordance with locals, it will not style fairly the identical except it is made on the island!
19. Roscón de Reyes (Spanish Kings’ Cake)
You have not actually skilled Christmas in Spain till you’ve got tried roscón de reyes. That is the quintessential dessert related to Three Kings Day, an essential Spanish vacation celebrated on January sixth.
Roscón de Reyes is principally a giant crown-shaped cake with a layer of whipped cream within the center, typically topped with candied fruits. Some individuals adore it, and a few suppose it is overrated—however both approach, it is an extremely enjoyable and festive option to rejoice the top of the vacation season.
The custom is to cover each a small figurine and a dry bean someplace contained in the cake. Whoever will get the piece with the figurine can count on good luck for the approaching 12 months; however whoever will get the bean has to pay for subsequent 12 months’s roscón!
Recipe: Have a good time Three Kings Day with our roscón de reyes recipe!
20. Poached Pears
Some individuals have robust opinions on fruit for dessert—however even for those who’re the sort that may often flip up your nostril, I problem you to strive Spanish poached pears and never completely love them.
This can be a widespread Spanish dessert that makes good use of Spanish purple wine and fragrant spices to actually deliver out the flavour of the pears. It is also fully irresistible when paired with vanilla ice cream!
Recipe: Do that recipe for straightforward poached pears in purple wine at house.
21. Natillas (Spanish Custard)
Natillas is the type of traditional that can by no means allow you to down. This easy Spanish dessert is actually a candy custard made with milk, eggs, and sugar and sometimes flavored with vanilla, lemon zest, and cinnamon.
You would say that natillas is much like crema catalana with out the caramelized sugar crust, or flan with out the syrupy caramel sauce. It is a primary, crowd-pleasing dessert that is arduous to not love!
See Additionally: In the event you like natillas, you may love Portuguese custard tarts!
22. Panellets
It would not be a feriado and not using a typical Spanish vacation deal with, and All Saints’ Day isn’t any completely different. On November 1st, the individuals of Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands rejoice by snacking on panellets: small sweets historically made with marzipan and coated in pine nuts.
It is not completely clear why panellets are related to All Saints’ Day, however their title might maintain a touch. It means “little breads,” which may mirror the custom of constructing an providing of bread to departed family members.
Recipe: Try this genuine panellets recipe from Devour Excursions.
23. Fartons
The title might sound a bit foolish, however this typical dessert from Valencia is severely good. Fartons are literally extra generally eaten for breakfast or as a snack (much like churros), however they’re candy sufficient to deserve a spot on this record!
Fartons look type of like lengthy, delicate breadsticks. They’re gentle, sugary, and excellent for dipping into a chilly glass of horchata—a candy, milky drink comprised of chufa (tiger nut) that is naturally dairy-free.
Learn Extra: Strive genuine fartons on the greatest pastry retailers in Valencia.
24. Tocino de Cielo
The primary time I noticed tocino de cielo on a Spanish restaurant menu, I assumed it have to be some type of pork dish. In spite of everything, it actually means “heaven’s bacon”! However because it seems, the title is only symbolic.
This conventional Spanish dessert is only a heavenly mixture of eggs, sugar, and water. It seems much like flan or crème caramel, nevertheless it has its personal distinctive taste; the primary distinction is that it would not comprise milk.
Apparently it was invented by Andalusian nuns as a approach to make use of up leftover egg yolks, after utilizing the egg whites to make clear sherry wines. (Sound acquainted? There is a comparable origin story for Portugal’s pastéis de nata!)
See Additionally: Be taught the place to search out the most effective desserts in Seville, together with tocino de cielo.
25. Huesos de Santo
One other conventional Spanish vacation meals, huesos de santo are usually consumed on All Saints’ Day. These small cylinders are fabricated from marzipan and filled with varied fillings, though the most typical model options egg yolks and sugar.
Huesos de santo are widespread in each Madrid and Granada. Their title actually interprets to “saint’s bones,” lending a barely creepy (or holy, relying on the way you take a look at it) contact to an in any other case easy candy.
Learn Extra: Touring within the fall? This is what to eat in Spain in November.
26. Piononos
Piononos are one other typical dessert from Granada, and extra particularly the city of Santa Fé. These little sweets encompass rolled-up sponge cake topped with sugary syrup and toasted cream.
Once I first heard the phrase pionono, I guessed it would comprise pine nuts (piñones). However this scrumptious dessert is definitely named after Pope Pius IX, who’s referred to as “Pio Nono” in Italian! (And there are not any pine nuts in sight.)
Learn Extra: Strive conventional piononos on the prime pastry retailers in Granada.
27. Mel i Mató
Final however not least, there’s the long-lasting Catalan dessert referred to as mel i mató. The title says all of it: it is a easy mixture of mel (honey) and mató (recent cheese). It is one among my favourite straightforward desserts from Spain—no recipe wanted!
Mel i mató is a light-weight and wholesome different to richer Catalonian sweets like crema catalana. It is a decidedly regional tackle an idea that is widespread all through Spain: pairing cheese with one thing candy for an excellent easy dessert!
See Additionally: Discover out extra about mató and different typical Spanish cheeses.
Spanish Desserts FAQ
There are many in style Spanish sweets, from custard and muffins to cookies and crepes! When consuming out in Spain you are most probably to search out favorites like arroz con leche, flan, and cheesecake on the menu. Another desserts are extra in style at sure occasions of 12 months, like Christmas and Easter.
The vacation season is prime time for Spanish sweets! That is if you’re most probably to search out the crumbly cookies known as mantecados and polvorones, in addition to turrón (nougat), roscos (donuts), and roscón de reyes (kings’ cake).
Many individuals would level to crema catalana (much like crème brûlée), burnt Basque cheesecake, and even churros with chocolate (though they don’t seem to be often eaten after a meal). One of the best Spanish dessert completely will depend on your style—so the one option to discover out is to strive as many as attainable!
Sure! Spain’s desserts will not be as nicely referred to as its savory dishes like tapas or paella, however this nation has a critical candy tooth. There are countless Spanish sweets to find (and check out making at house!), from the only muffins and cookies to extra elaborate recipes.
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