A guide to the best Spanish summer desserts
Heavy cakes and sugary frostings don’t cut it during the hotter months, which is why Spanish summer desserts are such a gift.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most iconic Spanish summer desserts, made with fresh ingredients and designed to cool you down.
Whether you want light summer desserts, easy Spanish desserts, fancy summer desserts, or are putting together your Spanish desserts list, we’ve got you.
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1. Crema Catalana
Crema Catalana may be considered as Spain’s lighter answer to crème brûlée.
It’s made with milk, egg yolks, sugar, lemon peel, and cinnamon, then topped with a crackly burnt sugar layer.
Its texture is silky, and its zesty flavor profile makes it a refreshing end to a summer meal.
You can add a hint of orange blossom water for a unique floral note.
Eaten chilled, it’s a favorite in summer, and it is typical of Catalonia, where it’s traditionally served on St. Joseph’s Day.
Get the recipe: Crema Catalana
2. Leche Merengada
Leche merengada blends milk, sugar, cinnamon, and egg whites whipped into soft peaks.
It’s popular across southern Spain, especially in Granada, served as a cold treat between lunch and dinner.
Light, sweet, and foam-topped, it’s one of the easiest Spanish summer desserts to make.
This dessert pairs wonderfully with cinnamon sticks or even a splash of cold coffee.
Get the recipe: Leche merengada
3. Arroz con Leche
This classic Spanish rice pudding is popular all over Spain, but in summer, it’s served cold and refreshing.
Ingredients include short-grain rice, whole milk, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes lemon or orange zest.
Asturias claims the richest versions of these special summer desserts.
If you want to prepare Spanish summer desserts like arroz con leche, you should cook 1 cup of rice in 4 cups of milk, simmer with sugar, add the citric zest, and refrigerate for 3 hours before serving.
Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a citrus twist for extra flair.
For extra indulgence, add a splash of cream or top with a spoonful of fruit compote.
Get the recipe: Spanish rice pudding
4. Spanish Cheesecake
Spanish cheesecake isn’t heavy, and it is eaten year-roun,d but tastes especially indulgent cold in summer.
San Sebastián is famous for its tarta de queso, often eaten with local berries. Basque-style is crustless, caramelized on top, and creamy in the middle.
To prepare this fantastic summer dessert, you should bake it 450 g of cream cheese, 5 eggs, and 200 g of sugar until it’s browned and wobbly in the center.
Let it cool fully and refrigerate before serving to intensify its creamy texture.
You can serve it with a berry coulis or drizzle of honey to enhance the flavor.
Get the recipe: Spanish cheesecake
5. Tarta de Santiago
Originating from Galicia, this Spanish almond cake is naturally gluten-free and surprisingly light.
Topped with powdered sugar and the cross of Saint James, it’s often found during pilgrimage festivals but also enjoyed cold as a summer snack.
It’s one of those fancy summer desserts that’s secretly very easy as you just have to mix and bake 250 g of ground almonds, 5 eggs, sugar, and lemon zest.
The simplicity and nutty richness make it a favorite in both humble kitchens and gourmet restaurants.
It perfectly pairs with a glass of sweet sherry or muscatel wine.
Get the recipe: Spanish almond cake
6. Torrijas
Though linked with Easter, torrijas are enjoyed cold throughout summer in many Andalusian homes.
Made from day-old bread soaked in milk, cinnamon, and sugar, then fried and drizzled with honey or syrup.
This may definitely be one of the easiest yet delicious Spanish summer desserts.
To keep it light, some versions skip frying and instead bake the slices until golden.
Torrijas can also be flavored with wine or orange zest for regional variations and served with some Spanish ice cream.
Get the recipe: Torrijas
7. Spanish Ice Cream
The Spanish ice cream or Helado in Spain is rich and dense, with special flavors like turrón, dulce de leche, fig, and even manchego cheese, or classic ones like lemon.
Málaga is home to some of the oldest heladerías in the country, which is why it is one of the top summer desserts in Spain.
If you are visiting the country in Summer, you should definitely grab a cone while strolling the coast.
Try pairing a scoop of lemon with turrón for a sweet-and-sour combo that locals love.
Get the recipe: Spanish ice cream
8. Spanish fermented pineapple drink
Spanish fermented pineapple drink is a rare gem, made by fermenting pineapple peels in water with sugar.
Lightly fizzy, it’s served cold like kombucha and is perfect for digestion after meals.
You will easily find it homemade in Cádiz, and you should not hesitate to order it!
The fermented pineapple juice is naturally probiotic, mildly sweet, and surprisingly refreshing on a hot day.
Add a mint leaf or a dash of lime juice for a refreshing twist.
Get the recipe: Fermented pineapple drink
9. Fruit Empanada
Fruit Empanada filled with peaches, berries, or figs are baked golden and eaten cold in Summer.
They’re easy to pack for beach days and picnics, and these are truly fun summer desserts.
To quickly prepare this at home, you may use store-bought dough, fill it with sugared fruit, fold, seal, and bake until golden.
Get the recipe: Fruit empanada
10. Spanish Custard Tarts
These Spanish custard tarts, known as tartaletas de crema, have a flaky base and creamy custard center.
They’re sold chilled in many Andalusian bakeries, and sometimes topped with glazed fruit.
They’re the perfect Spanish summer desserts in bite-size form, which are easily prepared using prebake tart shells, fill with egg yolk custard, and bake just until set.
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with apricot glaze for a professional finish.
Get the recipe: Spanish custard tarts
11. Spanish Milk Cake Recipe (tres leches)
Spanish tres leches cake is a soft sponge soaked in three kinds of milk: evaporated, condensed, and cream.
Though Latin American in origin, the Spanish milk cake is wildly popular in Spanish households during summer.
Served cold, it’s among the best summer desserts of the country. That’s why some consider it the queen of Spanish summer desserts.
Chill overnight and top with whipped cream or a cinnamon dusting for best results.
You can add a layer of fresh mango slices or berries for extra freshness.
Get the recipe: Spanish Milk Cake
12. Spanish Olive Oil Cake
The Spanish olive oil cake is typical from Spain and different regions prepare this dessert in similar ways.
Olive oil keeps this cake moist without butter, making it one of the lightest summer desserts.
Often flavored with citrus or almonds, it’s a popular afternoon treat that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Lots of Córdoba bakeries sell it in loaf form with orange glaze, made with their local citrus.
Get the recipe: Spanish olive oil cake
Short FAQ about Summer desserts from Spain
What is a popular dessert in Spain?
Popular Spanish summer desserts include arroz con leche, tarta de Santiago, and leche merengada.
They’re all light, cool, and perfect for hot weather.
What dessert after paella?
Great Spanish themed desserts after paella include Spanish ice cream, crema catalana, or a simple Spanish fruit salad.
These are all light summer desserts that balance out the meal perfectly.
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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