Spanish Dessert Recipes
From golden churros dipped in chocolate to silky crema catalana, discover the sweets that define Spain’s rich dessert tradition.
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Spanish desserts reflect centuries of Moorish, Roman, and Catholic monastic influence, blending almonds, honey, citrus, and eggs into a tradition of custards, nougats, and fried pastries that varies by region, from Catalonia’s crema catalana to Galicia’s tarta de Santiago.
Crema Catalana
A chilled custard of milk and egg yolks scented with lemon peel and cinnamon, finished with a thin layer of sugar caramelized until it cracks under the spoon — a fixture of dessert menus across Catalonia and the rest of Spain.
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A Guide to Spanish Desserts
Spanish desserts are custards, fried dough and almonds. Crema catalana is the burnt-sugar custard from Catalonia, natillas the softer everyday one, and leche frita a set custard that is breaded and fried. Churros and torrijas, Spain's take on French toast, are the fried side; tarta de Santiago, turrón and polvorones are the almond side.
Start with the recipes above, then see the full roundup of 25 Spanish desserts, or explore all Spanish food and Latin and Spanish desserts across the site.
More on Spanish sweets: turrón de Jijona, how to store turrón, turrón vs nougat vs halva, whether turrón is vegan or gluten-free, the dulces de convento still sold by Spanish convents, and pudim vs flan vs crème caramel.
Ensaimada and churros also appear in our country-by-country guide to Latin American and Spanish cakes and pastries.
Granizado, leche merengada and turrón helado appear in our guide to Latin American and Spanish frozen treats.
Craving more Spanish sweets?
Explore our complete roundup, or browse desserts from across Latin America and Spain.