Even the most cat-like Madrileños, which are few, are unaware of the wide variety of typical sweets of the capital. And, it is normal, if we gave free rein to the palate, more than one would walk around with severe diabetes, because when it comes to traditional sweets of Madrid, here there are to start and not stop.
Some of these sweets are made throughout the year, but many others are made seasonally, depending on the saint’s day, although in some prestigious traditional pastry shops such as Casa Mira you can find them all year round, to the delight of locals and tourists alike.
History of the typical sweets of Madrid
Madrid’s confectionery reflects in each of its desserts its multiculturalism throughout the centuries. Each people that passed through these lands left their gastronomic mark on the recipes of the land.
Sephardic, Roman and, especially Muslim, left us some of the sweetest palate pleasures. Later, over the centuries, these recipes have been enriched with ideas and new quality products, becoming popular recipes.
The most typical sweets of Madrid
The truth is that many of these typical sweets of Madrid, are not only found in the capital, globalization is what has, that now you can eat some churros in Andalusia, although the weather is not good, or a nougat in Japan. Even so, few places are as good as the handmade sweets you will find in the capital.
1.- St. Anton’s rolls or saint’s rolls. They are not loaves of bread, but a kind of pastry in the shape of a roll with a cross marked on it. It is customary to bless them on Saint Anton’s Day, January 17, at the saint’s church so that he would protect us from the plague and other diseases. Although a little rough, they are very popular at the beginning of the year.
2.- Torrijas. They are said to come from Roman times, and are not typical of Madrid or Spain, as other countries have their own versions of the torrija. In our country they took much prominence in times of scarcity for its high caloric intake, and also at Easter in times of fasting such as Lent. But in Madrid they have reached a dimension as popular as paella in Valencia, so you can not leave the capital without trying at least one.
3.- The rosquillas del Santo. On May 15 is San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, so you will not see a bakery whose shop window does not display the popular donuts of the saint, in its three most popular versions: the silly, the smart and lemon. Not to be missed.
4.- Churros. No matter what time of the year it is, churros are so popular that you will find them in almost every tavern in Madrid in their breakfasts. It is a fried dough sprinkled with sugar, which is usually accompanied by an excellent hot chocolate, although some prefer them with coffee, the important thing is to try them anyway.
5.- Pestiños and bartolillos. Pestiños are better known than bartolillos, but both are very similar. Pestiños are a fried dough to which honey and sugar are added. Of Arab origin, they are very popular throughout the year. And the bartolillos, less known, have a cream in the center.
6.- The Almudena crown. A variation of the classic Roscón de Reyes, but dedicated to the Virgin of the Almudena, patron saint of Madrid. They differ in that they are smaller, do not have orange blossom water or candied fruits, but they do have cream and almond decorations.
7.- Wafers. It is a canutillo made with a thin paste of flour, water and sugar. Sometimes egg or butter, cinnamon, lemon or coconut are added. They can also be dipped in chocolate or filled with cream, cream or chocolate. Formerly in Madrid they were sold by the barquilleros at the fairs, although nowadays it is very easy to find them everywhere.
If you happen to be in the center of Madrid, you can visit Casa Mira, an establishment that sells typical Madrilenian sweets all year round, handmade in their workshop, since they opened their doors in 1942. And, if you’re not lucky enough to be in the area, you can always visit their online store . We assure you that you will not regret leaving your diet aside.
