Get ready to add a dash of Spanish flair to your holiday celebrations!
I’ve curated a list of 10 traditional and delicious Spanish Christmas desserts that will bring joy to your table. Forget the usual suspects; these treats will add something unique this holiday season.
1. Pan de Cádiz (Nougat from Cadiz)
Hailing from sunny Cadiz, this vibrant pastry has many layers of flavor.
Marzipan forms the base, and fruit fillings pack the center. Quince paste and canned spaghetti squash fill the most traditional versions. Nevertheless, apple paste or candied fruits may substitute.
Although it takes some assembly, this knockout dessert is worth your holiday effort.
2. White Wine Cookies
Behold these winter-inspired cookies and how jolly they will appear on any holiday platter. In mini donut form, the treats possess a snowy powdered sugar coating and a splash of white wine.
Though infused with sugar, these Christmas cookies are not too sweet. Because they are hard, they dunk perfectly in coffee.
3. Churros
Churros rate highly as one of my favorite treats. As I bite into that warm, sugar-coated dough, I cannot help but smile.
In the season of sharing joy, why not pass these around during Christmas?
The genuine article, this recipe hails from Spain. Though the ingredients are commonplace, you will need a piping bag for the ideal shape. You also might want a large ladle strainer or tongs for frying.
For extra flair, you could add a dash of cinnamon to the sugar and dip the ends in chocolate.
4. Spanish Almond Cake (Tarta de Santiago)
If your party needs a dessert to feed a crowd, serve this glamorous cake.
This almond cake has a super tender texture and a flood of flavor. It also goes by Tarta de Santiago.
Because it contains no gluten, the sweet, soft cake has a slight zing from lemon zest. Powered sugar traditionally coats the top of the cake, along with an etching of St. James’ cross. If you are not much for decorating, a simple dusting of sugar will do.
5. Turron de Alicante (Spanish Hard Almond Nougat)
Do you need a treat to hand out as gifts? Turron makes an ideal choice, particularly popular at Christmas time.
With a nice nutty kick, the almond nougat has a bit of crunch. Plus, it is super easy to package. Saving time at the store and money, the recipe only needs four commonplace ingredients.
You’ll start by melting honey and sugar together, then pouring in an egg white, and finally, adding toasted almonds. The result becomes a brick that’s easy to portion.
I think a few pieces will look terrific wrapped up in a snowflake goody bag and tied with colorful ribbon.
6. Chocolate Coconut Balls (Bolitas De Coco)
Each decadent morsel, a local favorite in Malaga, goes by bolitas de coco. Every bite brings an explosion of chocolate with a kiss of coconut to match.
Just three simple ingredients make up these confections: coconut, condensed milk, and chocolate chips. The ingredient list tells you that these are very easy to make.
In this recipe, you’ll want to melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler to keep them from burning. You can even use white chocolate to give them a mini snowball look. The recipe only takes about 15 minutes.
Then, let the batch chill for everything to set.
7. Miguelitos with Chocolate Recipe
Miguelitos may resemble a savory mini sandwich, but it has only sweets. Between two airy puff pastries, a thick layer of chocolate rests. The whole thing finishes with a coating of powdered sugar.
If you need to serve a crowd, this recipe would work perfectly, serving up to 48 guests. It also makes a fantastic recipe to get the kids involved. While you prepare the chocolate, they can roll out the dough and top each sweet treat with powdered sugar.
8. Roscón de Reyes
Although this dessert originated in Spain, you’ll find the tradition of Roscón de Reyes in Mexico. Known as an Epiphany cake, it gets traditionally served for Three Kings Day.
Though it makes an impeccable Christmas dessert, you don’t have to wait to serve this cake until January 6.
Better than any fruit cake, this cake soaks dried fruit in rum before mixing it into a rich, buttery, spiced dough. Then, an icing fit for a king drizzles over the final result.
You can freeze any leftovers. However, I have a feeling there will be none.
9. Mantecados and Polvorones
No Christmas celebration would be complete without a generous assortment of cookies, so I have another joyful recipe for you.
Originating in the Andalusian region, Mantecados and polvorones are a type of Spanish Christmas cookie.Referencing both lard and powder, the name indicates that these ingredients traditionally feature in the cookies.
Nutty, sweet, and a little bit spicy, these cookies bring a wonderful crunch to the outside with a soft, crumbly interior.
10. Crema Catalana
Like creme brulee, Crema Catalana presents itself as a Spanish custard with a super creamy inside and a thin layer of caramelized sugar on the surface.Though a little more involved, this recipe brings just as much holiday joy!
Fresh figs or raspberries make a nice topping to serve with this treat.
Because this dish is not the slice-and-serve type, you’ll want to prep the servings individually in ramekins.Smaller Christmas gatherings, instead of extended families, would be perfect for this dessert.However, if you have enough dishware, I say, go for it!