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Spanish Dessert Recipe |
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Many of Spain's best-known desserts are smooth, creamy, rich custards - fashioned from the country's high quality milk and eggs - such as flan, crema catalana, and tocino de cielo. The latter, along with crumbly cookie-like polvorones; various yemas, or egg-yolk confections; and other sweets, were once widely made by nuns, who sold their products to help maintain their convents. Many of the recipes relied heavily on egg yolks, which the nuns received free from the winemakers who needed only the whites to clarify their sherries and red wines. Today, fewer religious orders sell these centuries-old delicacies, though some convents in cities and towns in Andalucia, Castilla y Leon, and elsewhere are keeping the tradition alive.  
But Spanish sweet treats do not restrict themselves to desserts. The long, slender, crisp fritters knon as churros are irresistible treats that never appear on a dessert menu, but are eaten for breakfast all over Spain. Majorcan ensaimadas, fluffy pastry coils that are sometimes plain and sometimes filled with preserves or cream, are also enjoyed as the first meal of the day. Both the fritters and the pastries are eaten for merienda, the Spanish teatime, too, serving as perfect midafternoon pick-me-ups in anticipation of the long wait for Spain's legendary late dinner hour. Spanish Dessert Recipes: Pestinos: No seas pestino means "don't get on my nerves", But while making pestinos is not nerve-racking...... Empanada Manzana: Though empanadas are most often thought of as savory pies, they can also be made of fruits and served as a dessert or for merienda (teatime)......  
Brazo De Gitano: This recipe is from my grandmother. She used to prepare it on special occasions, and all the family gathered to enjoy it...... Churros: Although churros are by no means exclusive to Madrid, they may have originated here...... Almond Ice Cream: Whether served with ensaimadas or alone, this ice cream makes a perfect dessert...... Gato Ametlla: This Majorcan cake is believed to have originated in Valldemossa, the island town made famous by Chopin and George Sand...... Flao: Flao is similar to American cheesecake, but the use of mint leaves and aniseeds sets it apart and makes it particularly refreshing...... Olive Oil Ice Cream: The Hojiblanca oil that is the basis for most oils from Malaga is the perfect ingredient for this cake...... Almond Cakes: The cake and pastries made in Spanish convents are famous for their delicacy, the result of careful preparation and traditional methods...... Magdalenas: Magdalenas are small sweet cakes that are rich-tasting, but light and fluffy...... Strawberry Flan: This rich dessert is a variation of the traditional Spanish dessert called "Flan."...... Bizcochos Borrachos: Light spongy cake, drizzled with a sweet sauce of brandy, lemon and cinnamon...... Flan: This is the classic flan, which is as light and delicious as it is timeless...... Torrijas: You should definitely try torrijas at Easter...... Leche Frita: Leche frita (fried milk) is a traditional Spanish dessert recipe...... Crema Catalana: Because of its crisp, caramelized topping, this creamy Catalan dessert is often compared to the French creme brulee...... Cinnamon Ice Cream: Ice cream in Spain is rarely served as a desert at home...... Tocinillo Cielo: Tocinillo de cielo (Heaven's little pig) is one of the most surprising desserts of the Spanish gastronomy...... Tarta Santiago: Tarta de Santiago is a traditional cake from northern Spain...... Orange Cake: Orange cake is a typical dessert recipe from Valencia, where the best oranges are produced...... Ensaimada: A Majorcan favorite, ensaimadas are warm, yeast-based cakes fashioned into round, coiled shapes...... Arroz Con Leche: Some say that Arroz con Leche descends from the Moorish occupation of Spain centuries ago......
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