The Most Popular Spanish Dessert, Ranked

Choose the dessert you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 11, 2024 06:51
When it comes to choosing the best Spanish desserts, everyone seems to have their own favorite. This preference changes from one region to another, reflecting the diverse culinary heritage of Spain. It's useful to have a clear ranking system where these desserts can be appraised side by side, based on the collective opinions of those who savor them. By voting for your preferred desserts, you help create a coherent list that benefits everyone from casual food lovers to culinary experts planning their next masterpiece. This dynamic ranking adjusts with each new vote, giving a real-time snapshot of what flavors currently capture the hearts of dessert enthusiasts.

What Is the Most Popular Spanish Dessert?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    Flan is a creamy custard dessert that is popular throughout Spain and Latin America. It is typically made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla, and can be flavored with different ingredients such as chocolate or fruit.
    Flan is a delicate and creamy custard dessert with a caramel topping. It is made by baking a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla until set. The caramelized sugar on top creates a rich and slightly bitter sauce that complements the smooth and sweet custard.
    • Texture: Silky and smooth
    • Flavor: Sweet and creamy with a hint of caramel
    • Preparation Time: 30 minutes
    • Baking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
    • Chilling Time: 4 hours or overnight
  2. 2
    23
    votes
    Churros con Chocolate is a classic Spanish dessert that consists of fried dough pastry sticks served with a thick, hot chocolate dipping sauce. It is commonly eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
    Churros con Chocolate is a popular Spanish dessert that consists of long, golden strips of fried dough, often shaped like sticks or loops. The churros are typically crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a hint of sweetness. They are usually served hot and are best enjoyed when dipped in a thick, rich chocolate sauce.
    • Shape: Long strips or loops
    • Texture: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
    • Taste: Slightly sweet
    • Serving Temperature: Hot
    • Dipping Sauce: Thick, rich chocolate
  3. 3
    29
    votes
    Tarta de Santiago
    Tamorlan · CC BY 3.0
    Tarta de Santiago is a traditional almond cake from the Galicia region of Spain. It is made with ground almonds, eggs, sugar, and lemon zest, and is often decorated with a cross made of powdered sugar.
    Tarta de Santiago is a traditional Spanish dessert originating from the region of Galicia. It is a rich almond cake with a dense and moist texture. The cake is typically topped with powdered sugar and often features the iconic cross of Saint James made from sugar or powdered sugar. Tarta de Santiago is known for its intense almond flavor and is commonly enjoyed with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
    • Main Ingredients: Almonds, eggs, sugar
    • Region of Origin: Galicia, Spain
    • Texture: Dense and moist
    • Traditional Topping: Powdered sugar with a cross of Saint James
    • Flavor: Intense almond flavor
  4. 4
    24
    votes
    Crema Catalana
    Tamorlan · CC BY 3.0
    Crema Catalana is a custard dessert similar to crème brûlée that is popular in Catalonia. It is made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and cinnamon, and is topped with a layer of caramelized sugar.
    Crema Catalana is a traditional Catalan dessert that is highly popular in Barcelona. It is a creamy and smooth custard dessert with a crispy caramelized sugar topping. It is often compared to the French crème brûlée, but Crema Catalana has its own unique flavors and characteristics.
    • Region: Catalonia, Spain
    • Main ingredients: Milk, sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, lemon peel, and cinnamon
    • Texture: Smooth and creamy custard
    • Flavor: Rich and creamy with hints of lemon and cinnamon
    • Topping: Caramelized sugar crust
  5. 5
    29
    votes
    Torrijas is a dessert similar to French toast that is typically eaten during Holy Week in Spain. It is made with bread soaked in milk and then fried in oil, and is often flavored with cinnamon and honey.
    Torrijas is a traditional Spanish dessert that is similar to French toast. It is made by soaking stale bread slices in a mixture of milk or wine and then dipping them in beaten eggs before frying them in oil or butter. Once cooked, the torrijas are typically sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. They can be enjoyed warm or cold.
    • Origin: Spain
    • Similar to: French toast
    • Key Ingredients: Bread, milk or wine, eggs, sugar, cinnamon
    • Cooking Method: Frying
    • Serving Temperature: Can be enjoyed warm or cold
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Polvorones is a type of shortbread cookie that is popular during the Christmas season in Spain. They are made with flour, sugar, and lard or butter, and are often flavored with almonds or cinnamon.
    Polvorones are a traditional Puerto Rican dessert that are known for their crumbly texture and sweet taste. They are small round cookies that are made from a combination of flour, sugar, butter, and spices. Polvorones are typically enjoyed during the holiday season, but they can be found throughout the year in Puerto Rican bakeries and households.
    • Size: Small round cookies
    • Texture: Crumbly
    • Flavor: Sweet
    • Ingredients: Flour, sugar, butter, spices
    • Occasion: Holiday season
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    Arroz con Leche is a rice pudding dessert that is popular throughout Latin America and Spain. It is made with rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon, and can be flavored with different ingredients such as vanilla or orange zest.
    Arroz con Leche is a traditional Guatemalan dessert that translates to 'rice with milk' in English. It is a sweet and creamy rice pudding that is commonly enjoyed throughout the country. The dish consists of rice cooked with milk, sweetened with sugar and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. It is often garnished with cinnamon powder or raisins for added flavor and texture.
    • Main Ingredients: Rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla
    • Texture: Creamy
    • Sweetness Level: Moderate
    • Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet with hints of cinnamon and vanilla
    • Garnish Options: Cinnamon powder, raisins
    Arroz con Leche in other rankings
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Turron is a nougat candy that is traditionally eaten during the Christmas season in Spain. It is made with honey, sugar, and almonds, and can be flavored with different ingredients such as chocolate or fruit.
    Turron is a traditional Peruvian dessert with a rich history. It is a sweet confection typically made with a base of honey, sugar, and almonds. The mixture is cooked until it reaches a chewy and firm consistency, then cut into individual portions. Turron is often enjoyed during special occasions and holidays in Peru.
    • Ingredients: Honey, sugar, almonds
    • Texture: Chewy and firm
    • Shape: Rectangular or square
    • Flavor: Sweet with nutty undertones
    • Occasions: Traditional celebrations and holidays
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Pestiños is a honey-glazed fritter that is typically eaten during the Christmas season in Spain. They are made with flour, olive oil, and anise, and are often flavored with sesame seeds.
    Pestiños are a traditional Spanish dessert that originated in Andalusia. They are sweet treats made from a dough that is fried until golden and then coated in honey. Pestiños have a distinctive diamond shape and a crispy texture, with a rich and sweet taste.
    • Origin: Andalusia, Spain
    • Shape: Diamond
    • Texture: Crispy
    • Taste: Rich and sweet
    • Cooking Method: Fried
  10. 10
    1
    votes
    Mantecados is a type of crumbly shortbread cookie that is popular during the Christmas season in Spain. They are made with flour, sugar, and lard or butter, and are often flavored with almonds or cinnamon.
    Mantecados are a traditional Spanish dessert that originated in the region of Andalusia. These small, crumbly cookies are made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, lard (traditionally pork lard), and cinnamon. The dough is typically shaped into small rounds and baked until they acquire a light golden color. Mantecados have a delicate texture that easily crumbles when bitten into, delivering a buttery and mildly sweet flavor with hints of cinnamon.
    • Region of Origin: Andalusia, Spain
    • Main Ingredients: Flour, sugar, lard (traditionally pork lard), and cinnamon
    • Texture: Crumbly
    • Flavor: Buttery, mildly sweet with cinnamon undertones
    • Shape: Small rounds

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Ranking factors for popular dessert

  1. Traditional Spanish desserts
    The popularity of Spanish desserts that have been traditionally eaten and enjoyed in Spain over a long period of time.
  2. Regional variations
    Spanish desserts that originate from specific regions in Spain that have become popular within and outside their region.
  3. Availability
    The popularity of Spanish desserts that are commonly available in restaurants, cafes, bakeries and grocery stores in Spain.
  4. Cultural significance
    The cultural importance of Spanish desserts in Spanish society, including the role they play in celebrations and festivals.
  5. Online popularity
    The popularity of Spanish desserts on social media platforms, food blogs, and recipe websites.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Spanish dessert. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dessert is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1844 views
  • 191 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dessert once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dessert is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular spanish dessert

Spain is known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine. Among the most popular Spanish dishes are their desserts, which are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Spanish desserts are diverse, ranging from creamy custards to flaky pastries and everything in between. Some of the most popular Spanish desserts include Churros, a fried-dough pastry that is often enjoyed with hot chocolate, Tarta de Santiago, a traditional almond cake from the Galicia region, and Crema Catalana, a custard dessert with a caramelized sugar topping. These desserts are often enjoyed after a delicious meal or as a midday snack with coffee. Spanish desserts are not only delicious but also a reflection of Spain's rich history and culture. From the sweet and creamy to the light and crispy, there is a Spanish dessert for every taste bud. In this article, we will explore the most popular Spanish dessert and why it has become a favorite among locals and visitors.

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