The detailed history of Spanish desserts is not well-known, aside from the fact that they made honey-based cakes and sweetbreads. But then, Moors (which are later on called Arabs/ Arabised Iberians) came and brought sugarcanes and almonds in the 9th century which helped Spain develop more cake variations.
From there, Spanish dessert recipes were made which became popular through the years. They also influenced a lot of countries in the world.
Another fun fact about Spanish desserts is that nuns played a big part in passing them through generations.
Nowadays, you can still get authentic recipes when you visit Spanish restaurants, but you can also make them yourself. Just be careful when choosing the recipe to follow. If you want to know more about Spanish desserts, check the list below!
1. Crema Catalana for Summer nights
Catalana cream is the Spanish version of crème brûlée that both have custard filling. The difference between the two is that Crema Catalana is infused with orange, lemon, or cinnamon, while crème brûlée is made from creamy vanilla custard. Some variations include liquors and ice cream.
2. Flan for fun
Flan is one of the most popular Spanish desserts. The basic flan is made from milk, eggs, and caramel sauce. However, there are also different variations like coconut, cheese, and chestnut. You can pair this with a cup of coffee, but also great served as it is. It’s easy to spot in Mexican and Spanish restaurants.
Spanish flan and Mexican flan are different from each other. Spanish flan uses more egg which makes it taste more “eggy”.
3. Basque Cheesecake for special occasions
Spanish cheesecake is also known as Tarta de Queso. It’s different from the New York-style cheesecake because it doesn’t have any crush. The outer part is made from burnt hardened caramelised sugar that has some cracks on it. When you dig inside, you’ll see the creamy and soft texture with a hint of cheese flavour.
4. Polvorones for a chill night
The powdery texture of polvorones made it easier to create. That’s why it’s one of the most popular holiday cookies in Spain. It’s usually made with all-purpose flour, almond flour, sugar, butter, and sesame seeds.
Polvorones are another treat influenced by the Arabians. Well, every traditional treat in Spain was influenced by them.
5. Churros for the traditional dinner
Churros are similar to doughnuts. They’re both fried and made of dough. However, churros are usually served with chocolate caramel dip. They’re not usually served as a dessert, but also sweet. People normally eat them during breakfast or as a snack.
The standard shape of churros is long thin strips, but they can also be made into knots or rounds. They can also be covered in cinnamon, sugar, or honey.
6. Turrón for a chewy evening
Nougat and almonds in one? Well, you won’t just get enough of Turrón. You can also try it out with honey, rice crisps, and chocolates.
It’s also a popular holiday treat that generates millions of European dollars like the Iberian Ham. Meanwhile, back in the 1580s, turron was a popular treat commonly given to workers during holiday seasons.
7. Buñuelos de Viento for a creative night
Buñuelos dae Viento is directly translated as light-as-air fritters. It’s basically made from ingredients when making doughnuts but you just need to add white anise and sunflower oil. You can also add fillings like custard or jam.
It can be easily compared with beignets but this one is less dense.
8. Almond Cake for someone special
It originated from Galicia but each region in Spain has its version of Almond Cake or also known as Tarta Dae Santiago (St. James Cake in English). It’s a moist cake typically made from almonds, sugar, and eggs. You can also add other flavourings such as liquor and citrus, and top it with powdered sugar.
The first recipe of Tarta Dae Santiago was collected in 1577. It’s gluten-free but back then, people were not familiar with diets. They just used the ingredients available in their areas.
If you’ve been craving something sweet, you should try these treats once in a while. Spanish cuisine has a lot to offer, and they’ll make you want more. You can try the authentic variations and visit Spanish restaurants. Don’t forget to share with us which Spanish dessert is your favourite by leaving a comment below.
