12 Spanish Desserts and Cakes to Taste

Spain is known all over the world for its cuisine with dishes like Paella and Gazpacho. But have you ever heard about Spanish desserts?

Spain have some delicious desserts that are worth tasting during your stay in the country. There are everything from the classic churros and flan to local cookies and cakes.

There are so many delicious desserts to taste in Spain, and down below you have some inspiration for your next trip:

Turrón

Turrón is a nougat sweet made of honey, sugar, egg white, and almonds (or other nuts). It’s originally Moorish (Arabic), but is today one of the most traditional Christmas sweets in Spain.

It’s delicious so make sure to try in when you’re in the country. If you like it, why not bring back home some turrón as a Spanish souvenir for your friends and family!

Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is the Spanish version of the French dessert crème brulée. It’s made of a creamy custard base and topped with a burnt sugar crust.

It’s one of the most delicious desserts in Spain, so make sure to taste it during your next trip!

Chocolate con churros

Churros is a classic Spanish dessert that you can find all over the country. Churros is made of fried dough looking like long French fries. These long pieces are then cut into lengths and topped with sugar or honey.

These sweets are served with hot chocolate for you to dip your churros in. It’s simply delicious.

Buñuelos

Another classic Spanish dessert is Buñuelos. It’s a dessert that you’ll find in most Spanish speaking countries around the world.

Buñuelos is a fried pastry that’s both light and fluffy. You can eat them plain, with powdered sugar, or filled with either cream, marmalade, or egg custard.

Natillas – Spanish Custard

Natillas is a spanish custard made of milk and eggs, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon. It’s creamy, rich, and very tasty.

It’s definitely worth tasting if you’re seeing it on a menu in a Spanish restaurant.

Mantecados

The traditional Spanish crumble cakes Mantecados is a must to try when you’re in Spain. They’re soft, tasty, and will melt in your mouth. It’s a local favorite when it comes to desserts and sweets.

This is another sweet the locals like to eat during Christmas.

Flan

Flan is a Spanish custard with caramel sauce. It’s one of the most popular desserts in Spain, both among locals and tourists.

Flan with vanilla is the most traditional flavor, but there are other flavors available as well.

Tarta de Queso

Tarta de Queso, also known as the Spanish cheesecake, is a cheesecake that’s very different from the American dessert.

This dessert is light and fluffy with a strong cheese flavor. If there’s a crust on the Tarta de Queso, it’s dry and crunchy like a cookie. Tarta de Queso is one of the most classic Spanish desserts, so make sure to taste it if you like cheese!

Tarta de Santiago

This traditional cake comes from the town Santiago de Compostela in the region of Galicia.

Tarta de Santiago has its origin in the Middle Ages and is made of eggs, sugar, almonds and flavoring of lemon zest, sweet wine, brandy, or grape marc (depending on recipe).

The cake is round and powdered with sugar, masked by an imprint of the Cross of Saint James. Locals like to eat this cake while sipping on a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Bartolillos

These triangle-shaped pastries are made of fried dough filled with pastry cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Bartolillos are surprisingly not very well known, but deserves a spot on your bucket list of Spanish desserts. They’re really good!

Polvorones

Polvorones are rich and crumbly almond cookies that are especially popular during Christmas in Spain. They’re made of flour, sugar, milk, and nuts, and are most commonly produced in Andalusia.

Traditionally these cookies were only baked from September to January, but today they can be bought all year round in some bakeries.

Xuixo

Xuixo is a Spanish pastry from Girona in Catalonia. It’s a deep-fried pastry filled with the delicious cream crema catalana.

They’re common to eat for breakfast or along with a cup of coffee or tea. If you are visiting Girona or any of the cities nearby, make sure to taste this delicious sweet.

More about Spanish desserts

The Spanish desserts are simply delicious. There are so many new things to taste when traveling around the country.

There’s no secret that most spaniards have a sweet tooth. From sugary custards and crumbly cookies to chocolate filled pastries.

In southern Spain they have had a Moorish (Arabic) influence, which means many of the desserts are almond based. Same thing goes for the region of Catalonia that’s located south of the French boarder. There you’ll find Spanish desserts with French influence, like the dessert Crema Catalana for example.

More Spanish desserts to taste:

• Casadiella
• Fartons
• Yemas de Santa Teresa
• Xuixo
• Leche frita
• Manjar blanco
• Pestiños
• Pionono
• Arroz con leche
• Miguelitos

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Do you have more questions about Spanish desserts? Leave a comment below!