Tired of the same old classic desserts meal after meal? Spice it up with the exotic flavors of Spanish desserts!
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Many people think that Spanish food is similar to Mexican food, but that’s not actually accurate. While both cuisines use similar ingredients, Spanish food is usually blander than Mexican food. One thing you can count on is that with any world cuisine, you can enjoy decadent and rich sweet treats.
Your foray into Spanish cuisine can open up doors to a whole new world of combinations and flavors you might have never even thought of.

Even though there’s a chance you haven’t heard of some of these dishes, after the first bite you’ll wonder why you haven’t started sooner!
So sit back and travel across the world all while sitting in the comfort of your kitchen. Enjoy these Spanish dessert recipes for your next dinner gathering.

Source: 100krecipes.com
1. Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
Try taking one bite of this sopapilla cheesecake bar without claiming it as your new favorite.
There’s no denying the incredible flavor of crescent rolls, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon sticks.
You’ll have to use your best timing to put these on the table because they will go shockingly fast.

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2. Tarta De Santiago
There’s a deep and long history of Tarta De Santiago and you can find mentions of it from the 15th century.
It’s simple in its appeal and delicious in taste. You have a classic spongy soft cake that’s ready to melt in your mouth combined with orange and almond flavors.
To top it off, sprinkle a little icing sugar on top of your favorite compote! If you really want to get fancy, you can use a stencil of St. James Cross and put it on the cake to give it a nice decoration.
Bust out this dessert recipe after lunch or dinner and it goes perfectly with a cup of horchata.

Source: catholiccuisine.blogspot.com
3. Yemas de Santa Teresa
These little sweet balls are actually pretty creamy with some added sugar and, of course, some eggs.
They are just as soft and chewy as any other cookie on this list and the powdered sugar topping puts them over the top.
Like most other desserts in Spain, this one has a good history, but don’t be afraid to make it anytime you’re craving something sweet.

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4. Panellets
Panellets look like little rice Krispy treat balls with a slightly browner color.
Truth is, these are incredible and once you start snacking it can be hard to peel back.
They are essentially little cookies that have sugar, almonds, and pine nuts coating the outside.
You’ll also get some other unique ingredients you might not think would go great together but they have a surprising flavor.
It’s a Catalan tradition to have these scrumptious snacks on All Saints Day, but you can have them any time of the year.

Source: mumubakes.wordpress.com
5. Burnt Basque Cheesecake
For all the cheesecake lovers out there, this one will make you get excited.
Instead of adding a crust to your cheesecake, you can bake it at an extremely high heat so that it still gets a nice crispy outer layer.
It’s much easier to make than a regular cheesecake, so you can feel confident even if you haven’t had success in the past.
Since you don’t need to do extra work, this is the perfect dessert for saving some time but still having something delicious.

Source: cdkitchen.com
6. Spanish Sponge Cake
The Spanish sponge cake is a slight variation of the classic sponge cake in that it has some lemon and sometimes this dessert turns into an almond cake.
You’ll find it to be just as rich as the American version, if not even more so. The flavor is off the charts too, because you don’t expect something this simple to taste this good.
Just like the Tarta De Santiago, you can top this off with pretty much anything you want.
This dessert is for after lunch and dinner, but you could sneak an in-between snack here and there.

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7. Fartons
Let’s make this clear, you don’t usually have fartons unless you have some horchata waiting for you on the side.
The temptation to dip your fartons into your horchata is too great. No one can resist.
It’s in the exact shape that fits perfectly into almost any glass you’re drinking out of.
You can have your farton on its own, but that would be like eating a biscotti without any coffee. It’s just not the same.

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8. Leche Frita
You should make sure you’re sitting down for this next question, but have you ever heard of fried milk?
It’s incredible and leche frita is what they call it in Spain. It goes perfectly with Spanish dishes, but you could have this for any meal really.
This way-too-good snack has been satisfying tables for generations and once you have a bite you’ll understand why.
Obviously, you can’t fry actual liquid milk, so instead, this delectable snack starts as a custard-type pudding that you can coat in breading.
Then, dip the leche frita in oil and you’ll never look back.

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9. Huesos de Santo (Saint’s Bones)
Don’t be scared by the name of this traditional dessert. The Saint’s Bones is usually saved for All Saints Day, but you can technically make it any time of the year.
Part of the appeal is the presentation, so if you can, make them extra boney-looking.
The white part is made with marzipan paste and the inside is filled with custard.
It will taste like some other Spanish desserts, but make no mistake, it looks like nothing else.

Source: 196flavors.com
10. Turron
One look at this dessert and you can immediately start to taste the flavors.
Popular around winter holidays in Spanish countries, the flavors blend together to give you a feeling of the season.
Sweet honey, sugar, egg whites, and almonds all blend together perfectly to create this treat.
You’ll find this irresistible treat in a couple of different types. You can either go with the crunchy and brittle Turron de Alicante or stick with the soft and chewy Turron de Jijona.

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11. Pastissets
A simple dish that can really take your typical dessert to the next level is the pastissets.
You don’t need a lot of ingredients and it’s not meant to have a crazy presentation.
That’s because all the proof anyone needs are in the sweet and zesty taste.
As with most Spanish cookie desserts, when you take a bite, the cookie will absolutely melt in your mouth.

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12. Buñuelos
There isn’t much to a benuelos and there doesn’t need to be. These doughy treats are kind of like flatbread that was deep-fried and then covered in cinnamon.
To really hit that sweet spot, bust out a jar of local honey and go to town.
When the dough is deep-fried it creates these small air pockets. This doesn’t affect the taste at all but creates a fun experience when eating.
This is a popular Spanish pastry around holidays because it resembles a special occasion in Spanish culture.
They’re so delicious though that you’ll probably want to have them around more than that.

Source: thespruceeats.com
13. Spanish Apple Tart
The Spanish apple tart doesn’t take long to make but it can still have a pretty big impact on the dinner table.
You can either try to make the crust on your own or you can buy one from the store if you’re short on time.
With all the apples, sugar, and lemon zest, you’ll have a palette-pleasing tart that will leave your guests salivating.

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14. Polvorón
Although they look super simple, the flavors of the Polvoron are incredible.
The texture practically melts in your mouth when you eat them. The first part of the word (Polvo) in Spanish actually means dust!
What’s nice about this cookie is that it’s incredibly easy to make because you don’t need a lot of ingredients. Yet, they still taste like you gave them that special touch and love.
If you haven’t tried one, you really do have to try it. The crumbly texture that dissolves in your mouth is incredible and these are sure to be a hit at your next party.

Source: thecookwaregeek.com
15. Torrijas
When you’re trying to imagine what a torrijas tastes like, try imagining a french toast but with even more sophisticated flavors.
Instead of just dipping your french toast in an egg mixture, you’ll give it a nice bath in a flavored milk before going into the egg yolk.
Not only that but you’ll also deep fry this delicious toast in some olive oil to crisp the outside and add even more flavor.
Then, it’s your choice what you want to top it off with. Cinnamon, honey, syrup, the choice is yours.

Source: greatbritishchefs.com
16. Tocino De Cielo
When you make the Tocino De Cielo the right way, the presentation is off the charts.
If you’re looking for a fancy Spanish recipe to impress guests with at your next party, this is it.
It looks just like a Spanish flan but that’s about as close as the two resemble each other.
One bite and you can tell the taste is completely different as well as the texture.
Tocino De Cielo will be richer and sweeter compared to Flan. This dessert started in the Spanish churches and you could say it’s a little slice of heaven.

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17. Churros
The classic Spanish dessert that crossed over any borders is the churro.
A deep-fried bread roll that is crispy on the outside but soft and doughy in the middle is completely covered in cinnamon.
Dip it in some chocolate sauce or, even better, a spiced Spanish hot chocolate, and you’ll think it is as good as it gets.
Hardly any dessert beats homemade churros when you make them right.

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18. Perrunillas
Don’t have a lot of time but still want to impress your dinner table guests with a delicious dessert?
This winter holiday favorite is a shortbread biscuit that’s easy to make and only takes a few ingredients.
Just like the Polvoron, this Spanish cookie can melt right in your mouth.
Perruna actually means tender in Spanish, so you can see why these Spanish pastries are well known for satisfying guests.

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19. Leche Merengada
This dessert is nice if you want to give your guests something different than a pastry or custard.
Instead, give them a drink that is thick like a milkshake but it’s much sweeter and creamier.
Even better, you can add some citrus to the mix and blend flavors you’ve probably never had in a milkshake. Top it off with a little whipped cream and it’s even closer to a milkshake.
You have to have this drink cooled down so that it goes well on a summer day.
This Spanish dessert doesn’t take much time to make, so you can whip out a delicious batch right before your next party.

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20. Crema Catalana
This traditional Spanish dessert is a different spin on the creme brulee. Both have the same consistency as custard and taste sweet.
It even has the same caramelized sugar topping that cracks when you take a spoon to it.
This one takes some time to make and you’ll need a small torch, but once you have a taste it will be hard not to mix this dessert in every week.
Source: thespruceeats.com
21. Frixuelos de Asturias
The best part about a crepe is that you can fill it with pretty much anything you like.
Whether it be fruit compote, custard, Nutella, or something else, a crepe never tastes bad! You could even fill it up with something savory and it would taste just as good.
You can even make this recipe without spending a ton of time in the kitchen.
Frixuelos de Asturias sounds like such an intimidating dish, but it’s actually just crepes! There are various ways to serve Spanish crepes, and each of them is amazing.

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22. Natillas De Leche (Spanish Custard)
The Spanish love a good custard and with this Natillas De Leche variation, it’s easy to share in their enjoyment.
This custard isn’t as close to the French version because it has some cinnamon and vanilla in it to give it some extra flavor.
It’s a great dessert to make because the ingredients are pretty limited, so you won’t have a hard time putting it together.

Source: thespruceeats.com
23. Pantxineta
The Spanish know how to bring the flavorful desserts that make your mouth water.
Try this combination of a custard filling with sugar, almonds, hazelnuts, butter, and lemon.
It’s a puff pastry too, so every bite is like eating into a pillow.
The best part is you don’t have to be an expert baker to create these delicious treats.
Take your sheets of puff pastry and fill them up with some custard cream. Top them off with some nuts and powdered sugar and voila!

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24. Pestiños
This is a type of Spanish dessert you can serve anywhere in the world, because who can deny the sweet flavors of honey combined with sugar and soft deep-fried bread?
These are the kinds of Spanish pastries you can eat tons of without batting an eye.
Now, instead of using regular dough with some honey and sugar, these Pestinos are actually seasoned with cinnamon, anise, lemon, and orange.
Add in the fact that they’re deep-fried and you have yourself the perfect after-dinner dessert to end the night.

Source: cooktube.in
25. Técula Mécula
This cake is a great one to bust out for all the sweet tooth people at your dinner table.
The lemon and soft, tender cake filling go perfectly with the sugar and butter crust.
This is the perfect after-dinner dessert, but let’s be honest, you can have this any time you need a little snack.

25 Classic Spanish Desserts (+Leche Merengada)
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 egg whites beaten to stiff peaks
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
- Lemon zest
Instructions
- Simmer sugar, milk, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a saucepan for 5 minutes.
- Cool and strain the liquid.
- Fold the egg whites into the mixture and freeze.
Notes
Organize all the required ingredients.
Enjoy the food.
Nutrition
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