Traditional Christmas sweets
Gastronomy 04/12/2024
Christmas in Barcelona is not only celebrated through lights and markets, but also through its rich gastronomic tradition. Christmas sweets play a fundamental role in the celebrations, offering flavours that evoke the warmth and festive spirit of the city.
In this article we will explain some of the most typical Christmas sweets in Barcelona, their history, when they are consumed and where you can find them.
Nougat
Turrón is perhaps the most representative Christmas sweet in all of Spain, and Barcelona is no exception. Its origin dates back to the Muslim era, when sweets were made from almonds and honey. In Catalonia, turrón is consumed especially during the Christmas holidays, and it comes in various varieties: the most traditional is turrón de Alicante, which is hard and characterized by its whole almonds, and turrón de Jijona, which has a soft and smooth texture. Turrón arrives in Barcelona in the months leading up to Christmas, with some of the best specialty sweets and chocolate shops offering a wide range of options. Traditionally, it is served as a dessert during Christmas Eve dinner and at family gatherings throughout December. It is also common to give turrón as a gift when visiting friends and family.
Neules
Neules are another typically Catalan sweet that accompanies nougat during the holidays. They are thin, crispy wafers made from flour, sugar and egg, often flavoured with a hint of vanilla. Although they have a light texture, their flavour is delicate and slightly sweet. Neules are usually served alongside cava, Catalonia's typical sparkling wine, as part of New Year's Eve celebrations. They are a traditional accompaniment to festive meals and are sometimes filled with nougat cream.
Shortbread and Mantecados
Although polvorones and mantecados are traditional throughout Spain, in Barcelona they are also an essential part of Christmas. These sweets, made with lard, flour and sugar, have a texture that melts in the mouth. Polvorones, especially, are known for their fine layer of powder that covers them, which gives them their name. They are widely consumed during the days around Christmas, and many families enjoy them as part of the desserts at Christmas Eve dinner.
Cava and Roscón de Reyes
The Roscón de Reyes or Tortell de Reis is another emblematic sweet enjoyed in Barcelona, although it is more characteristic of the Three Kings' Day, on January 6. This round-shaped cake is traditionally filled with cream, custard or chocolate, and is decorated with candied fruits that represent the Kings' jewels. Inside, surprises are hidden such as a figure of a king and a bean. Whoever finds the figure of a king is crowned as the "king" of the celebration, and whoever finds the bean has to pay for the roscón the following year.
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Candied fruit sweets
In Barcelona, sweets made from candied fruit are also popular. These fruits, which include citrus fruits, cherries and pineapple, are prepared with sugar and used both in the decoration of other desserts and in stand-alone sweets. Although they are not exclusive to Catalonia, sweets with candied fruit have an important presence on the city's Christmas tables.
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When are these sweets eaten?
Christmas sweets in Barcelona are enjoyed mainly throughout the month of December and early January. Each family has its own customs, but generally sweets are served at Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners and lunches, as well as at New Year's celebrations and Epiphany. In addition, many of these delicacies are used as gifts for friends and family, as they are considered a sign of affection and good wishes.
Where to buy these sweets?
In Barcelona, the best places to buy traditional Christmas sweets are the specialized bakeries and confectioners. Some of the best known are:
ESCRIBÀ PASTRIES
Founded in 1906, this bakery is a landmark in the city, especially during the Christmas holidays. They offer excellent quality nougats, neules and mantecados.
TORRONS VICENS
This is one of the most famous nougat companies, which has been producing artisanal nougat since 1775. Its products are a true emblem of the Christmas tradition, and can be found all over the world with shops on the most commercial streets, even in airports, train stations, etc.
THE PASTRIES SHOP
In this renowned bakery in the Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, you can find high-quality Christmas sweets, especially neules and turrón.
THE BELL
Since 1890, this bakery has been dedicated to the production of traditional sweets for over 130 years. Today, with the fourth generation of the Mira family at the helm, the company produces its products using the best raw materials available on the market. The polvorones are distinguished by their quality and international recognition, having been awarded prizes such as the Superior Taste Award and the Dubai Taste Award.
HOFMANN
Located in the emblematic Born neighborhood, it offers an extensive repertoire of sweet proposals that have been renewed over the last few years.
Special mention to the renowned Mexican pastry chef Ton Cortés, from the SUCA'L bakery in Barcelona, who has been awarded the title of best panettone in the world. This distinction was awarded during the 2024 World Cup, held in Milan, in the category of best traditional panettone.
Traditional Christmas sweets in Barcelona not only represent the city's rich cultural and gastronomic heritage, but also provide an opportunity to share special moments with loved ones. From turrón to polvorones, each of these delicacies tells a story that has endured throughout the centuries. If you have the chance to visit Barcelona during the holidays, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy these characteristic flavors that make Christmas in the city even more memorable.
In this article we will explain some of the most typical Christmas sweets in Barcelona, their history, when they are consumed and where you can find them.
Nougat
Turrón is perhaps the most representative Christmas sweet in all of Spain, and Barcelona is no exception. Its origin dates back to the Muslim era, when sweets were made from almonds and honey. In Catalonia, turrón is consumed especially during the Christmas holidays, and it comes in various varieties: the most traditional is turrón de Alicante, which is hard and characterized by its whole almonds, and turrón de Jijona, which has a soft and smooth texture. Turrón arrives in Barcelona in the months leading up to Christmas, with some of the best specialty sweets and chocolate shops offering a wide range of options. Traditionally, it is served as a dessert during Christmas Eve dinner and at family gatherings throughout December. It is also common to give turrón as a gift when visiting friends and family.
Neules
Neules are another typically Catalan sweet that accompanies nougat during the holidays. They are thin, crispy wafers made from flour, sugar and egg, often flavoured with a hint of vanilla. Although they have a light texture, their flavour is delicate and slightly sweet. Neules are usually served alongside cava, Catalonia's typical sparkling wine, as part of New Year's Eve celebrations. They are a traditional accompaniment to festive meals and are sometimes filled with nougat cream.
Shortbread and Mantecados
Although polvorones and mantecados are traditional throughout Spain, in Barcelona they are also an essential part of Christmas. These sweets, made with lard, flour and sugar, have a texture that melts in the mouth. Polvorones, especially, are known for their fine layer of powder that covers them, which gives them their name. They are widely consumed during the days around Christmas, and many families enjoy them as part of the desserts at Christmas Eve dinner.
Cava and Roscón de Reyes
The Roscón de Reyes or Tortell de Reis is another emblematic sweet enjoyed in Barcelona, although it is more characteristic of the Three Kings' Day, on January 6. This round-shaped cake is traditionally filled with cream, custard or chocolate, and is decorated with candied fruits that represent the Kings' jewels. Inside, surprises are hidden such as a figure of a king and a bean. Whoever finds the figure of a king is crowned as the "king" of the celebration, and whoever finds the bean has to pay for the roscón the following year.
Candied fruit sweets
In Barcelona, sweets made from candied fruit are also popular. These fruits, which include citrus fruits, cherries and pineapple, are prepared with sugar and used both in the decoration of other desserts and in stand-alone sweets. Although they are not exclusive to Catalonia, sweets with candied fruit have an important presence on the city's Christmas tables.
When are these sweets eaten?
Christmas sweets in Barcelona are enjoyed mainly throughout the month of December and early January. Each family has its own customs, but generally sweets are served at Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners and lunches, as well as at New Year's celebrations and Epiphany. In addition, many of these delicacies are used as gifts for friends and family, as they are considered a sign of affection and good wishes.
Where to buy these sweets?
In Barcelona, the best places to buy traditional Christmas sweets are the specialized bakeries and confectioners. Some of the best known are:
ESCRIBÀ PASTRIES
Founded in 1906, this bakery is a landmark in the city, especially during the Christmas holidays. They offer excellent quality nougats, neules and mantecados.
TORRONS VICENS
This is one of the most famous nougat companies, which has been producing artisanal nougat since 1775. Its products are a true emblem of the Christmas tradition, and can be found all over the world with shops on the most commercial streets, even in airports, train stations, etc.
THE PASTRIES SHOP
In this renowned bakery in the Sant Gervasi neighbourhood, you can find high-quality Christmas sweets, especially neules and turrón.
THE BELL
Since 1890, this bakery has been dedicated to the production of traditional sweets for over 130 years. Today, with the fourth generation of the Mira family at the helm, the company produces its products using the best raw materials available on the market. The polvorones are distinguished by their quality and international recognition, having been awarded prizes such as the Superior Taste Award and the Dubai Taste Award.
HOFMANN
Located in the emblematic Born neighborhood, it offers an extensive repertoire of sweet proposals that have been renewed over the last few years.
Special mention to the renowned Mexican pastry chef Ton Cortés, from the SUCA'L bakery in Barcelona, who has been awarded the title of best panettone in the world. This distinction was awarded during the 2024 World Cup, held in Milan, in the category of best traditional panettone.
Traditional Christmas sweets in Barcelona not only represent the city's rich cultural and gastronomic heritage, but also provide an opportunity to share special moments with loved ones. From turrón to polvorones, each of these delicacies tells a story that has endured throughout the centuries. If you have the chance to visit Barcelona during the holidays, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy these characteristic flavors that make Christmas in the city even more memorable.
