A guide to the best pastries from Spain you must try
If you are traveling across Spain and wondering what to taste for dessert, you will quickly discover that Spain is a paradise for sweet lovers.
Every region has its signature treats, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start when exploring the best pastries from Spain.
In this post, we will present traditional Spanish desserts, showcasing why they are so emblematic of Spain’s rich culinary heritage.
This guide will help you discover authentic Spanish pastries, most of which are regional Spanish pastries, and the best Spanish pastries to try on your journey.
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1. Ensaimada
The iconic pastry of Mallorca, ensaymada, is a light, spiral-shaped sweet made with flour, sugar, eggs, and lard.
If you wander the narrow streets of Palma early in the morning, you will find the aroma of freshly baked ensaimadas drifting from every bakery.
Traditionally eaten at breakfast, it is dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with whipped or chocolate cream.
This delicate pastry is considered one of the best pastries from Spain and a must-try for anyone exploring the Balearic Islands.
It pairs beautifully with coffee or hot chocolate, making it an essential Spanish breakfast pastry.
Get the recipe: Ensaymada
2. Pionono de Santa Fe
From the small town of Santa Fe near Granada, piononos are small, syrup-soaked sponge rolls topped with toasted cream.
Their name honors Pope Pius IX, and they are deeply connected to local history.
Pionono is among the famous Spanish pastries and highlights the regional Spanish pastries of Andalusia.
Enjoying one in a Granada café feels like tasting a slice of Andalusian tradition.
Tourists often rank them as one of the best pastries from Spain because of their unique syrupy sweetness and cultural significance.
Get the recipe: Pionono
3. Quesada Pasiega
Originating from Cantabria, quesada pasiega is a creamy cheesecake-like dessert made from fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, and flour.
Often flavored with lemon zest or cinnamon, it is traditionally enjoyed during festivals or family gatherings.
In the valleys of northern Spain, the preparation is a cherished family tradition passed down through generations.
This dessert exemplifies traditional Spanish pastries and is one of the popular pastries in Spain that travelers seek in the northern regions.
Its soft, rich texture makes it an ideal companion to afternoon tea or coffee.
Get the recipe: Quesada pasiega
4. Rosquillas de Anis
A favorite in Andalusia, rosquillas de anis are small, fried rings flavored with wine and sometimes anise.
They are among the typical Spanish pastries and an excellent example of Andalusian pastries.
They are commonly prepared during Easter celebrations and local fairs, with every town adding its unique twist.
Walking through the streets of Seville, you will see vendors offering these golden, crispy delights to festival-goers.
Their light sweetness and airy texture make them a top pick for Spanish festival pastries.
Get the recipe: Rosquillas de Anís
5. Spanish Cream Puffs – Miguelitos
The Spanish cream puffs are considered authentic Spanish pastries and are among the best Spanish pastries to try when exploring central Spain.
Their delicate texture showcases the artistry of Spanish puff pastry desserts.
Hailing from La Roda in Castilla-La Mancha, miguelitos are puff pastry squares filled with a creamy custard and dusted with powdered sugar.
Served fresh from the bakery, their light flakiness and sweet interior are irresistible.
Many locals enjoy them as a mid-morning treat, paired with coffee or hot chocolate.
Get the recipe: Spanish cream puffs
6. Spanish Custard Tarts
Although originally Portuguese, pastel de nata has a strong presence in Spanish bakeries, particularly in Galicia.
They are a staple of Spanish pastries and desserts and have become one of the famous Spanish bakery items served across the country.
These small Spanish custard tarts are made from a flaky pastry shell filled with a rich, creamy custard and caramelized on top.
Strolling through local bakeries, you can watch them being baked fresh in high-temperature ovens, creating a golden, slightly blistered surface.
Their creamy richness and crisp pastry make them a beloved choice for breakfast or dessert.
Get the recipe: Spanish custard tarts
7. Buñuelos de Viento
These traditional Spanish pastries are perfect examples of Spanish sweet pastries that celebrate cultural festivities.
They are typically enjoyed during festivals such as All Saints’ Day.
A traditional treat from Valencia and Madrid, buñuelos de viento are light, airy treats made with flour, eggs, and milk, often filled with cream or chocolate.
Walking through local markets, you will notice the sweet scent of their dough, inviting visitors to indulge.
Their delicate texture and delightful fillings make them a highlight among popular pastries in Spain.
Get the recipe: Buñuelos de viento
8. Fartons
From Valencia, fartons are long, sweet pastries traditionally dipped in horchata, the local tiger nut drink.
They represent authentic Spanish pastries and highlight regional Spanish pastries unique from Valencia.
Their soft, airy structure absorbs the drink perfectly, creating a simple yet satisfying snack.
Their pairing with horchata makes them one of the best pastries from Spain for travelers seeking a true Valencian experience.
Local cafés often serve them for breakfast or afternoon breaks.
Get the recipe: Fartons
9. Yemas de Santa Teresa
These traditional pastries from Spain are considered Spanish festival pastries and a shining example of Spanish desserts tied to regional history.
They are traditionally enjoyed during religious festivals and special family occasions.
From Ávila, yemas de Santa Teresa are small, golden spheres made from egg yolks and sugar, sometimes dusted with cinnamon.
Visiting Ávila, you will notice their presence in every local bakery, often displayed in ornate boxes.
Their rich, sweet flavor is perfect for those exploring Spanish cakes and pastries.
Get the recipe: Yemas de Santa Teresa
10. Leche frita
Leche frita is a creamy milk pudding coated in flour and egg, then fried to golden perfection.
Many families prepare it during festivals or weekend gatherings.
Popular in Castile and León, it is served as a dessert or afternoon snack, often dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Its crispy exterior and soft interior make it one of the best pastries from Spain to try.
It is among the typical Spanish pastries and highlights traditional Spanish sweets cherished in northern Spain.
Get the recipe: Leche Frita
11. Mantecado
Mantecados are traditional pastries from Spain and an iconic example of Spanish festival pastries.
Widely prepared in Andalusia, they are especially popular during Christmas.
A holiday favorite, mantecados are crumbly shortbread cookies made from lard, sugar, and flour, often flavored with cinnamon or almonds.
Their crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth texture has made them one of the famous Spanish pastries across the country.
Walking through markets in Estepa, you can smell the sweetness of these cookies before seeing them displayed.
Get the recipe: Mantecados
12. Natillas de Leche
Natillas de leche are a classic of Spanish pastries and desserts and among the authentic Spanish pastries sought by travelers.
Natillas de leche is a creamy custard dessert flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, often topped with a caramelized sugar layer.
Its creamy texture and comforting flavor make it a highlight of Spanish sweet pastries.
It is commonly enjoyed across Spain, especially as an after-school treat for children.
In traditional bakeries, it is served in individual ceramic bowls, adding to its charm.
Get the recipe: Natillas de leche
13. Spanish Almond Cake – Tarta de Santiago
From Galicia, Spanish almond cake is an almond cake with a moist, dense texture, topped with powdered sugar and the cross of Saint James.
Traditionally eaten during pilgrimage festivals, it is now enjoyed year-round.
Walking through Santiago de Compostela, you can see this cake in almost every bakery window.
It is one of the famous Spanish bakery items and represents regional Spanish pastries from northern Spain.
Its nutty richness makes it a must-have when sampling the best pastries from Spain.
Get the recipe: Spanish almond cake
14. Alfajores
The Spanish alfajores is made from flour, sugar, honey, and almonds, traditionally dusted with powdered sugar.
They are small, dense, and carry the history of Moorish influence in southern Spain.
They are classic traditional Spanish pastries and one of the popular pastries in Spain that travelers enjoy.
These sweets are particularly popular in Andalusia during Christmas and other festive occasions.
Their combination of sweet, nutty, and aromatic flavors makes them among the best Spanish pastries to try.
Get the recipe: Alfajores
15. Spanish Panellets
From Catalonia, panellets are small almond marzipan sweets, often decorated with pine nuts.
Traditionally prepared for All Saints’ Day, the Spanish panellets are charming little bites that combine simplicity with flavor.
Visiting a Catalan bakery during autumn, you will find them displayed in colorful trays.
These are authentic Spanish pastries and Spanish festival pastries, showing how local ingredients shape regional sweets.
They are among the best pastries from Spain for cultural and culinary exploration.
Get the recipe: Spanish panellets
16. Spanish Chocolate Turron
Chocolate turron is a rich nougat made with almonds and chocolate, traditionally enjoyed at Christmas across Spain.
It has its roots in Alicante and Jijona, regions famous for turron.
Walking through holiday markets, you will see these slabs of chocolate and almond stacked high, inviting sampling.
They are Spanish sweet pastries and Spanish festival pastries, essential for any holiday experience.
Their crunchy texture and chocolaty flavor make them one of the best pastries from Spain to taste during the festive season.
Get the recipe: Chocolate turron
Short FAQ about Spanish desserts
What is a famous pastry in Spain?
Famous Spanish pastries include ensaimadas, tarta de Santiago, and miguelitos.
These traditional Spanish pastries are beloved across the country and can be found in nearly every bakery.
What treats is Spain known for?
Spain is known for authentic Spanish pastries like piononos, buñuelos de viento, and panellets.
Regional Spanish pastries vary widely, reflecting local ingredients and traditions.
What are the best Spanish pastries for breakfast?
The best pastries from Spain for breakfast include ensaimadas, fartons, and pastel de nata.
These Spanish breakfast pastries are light, sweet, and perfect with coffee or hot chocolate.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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