The city of Cádiz is a perfect destination for the sweet-toothed. The different cultures that have passed through the city have been reflected in its cuisine and, especially, in the typical pastries of Cádiz that you can enjoy in its bakeries, patisseries, cafés or restaurants.
Typical pastries of Cádiz: a delight for every season
The “sweet” year in the city of Cádiz begins with the typical Christmas products. We would like to highlight two: pestiños and pan de Cádiz or turrón de Cádiz.
Pestiños have even a popular celebration in the kick-off of the Carnival, called “La Pestiñá”. They are made by frying a dough in olive oil flavoured with lemon peel. Then honey from the Sierra de Cádiz is added to give it a unique touch.
Pan de Cádiz that we know today comes from a 50’s recipe created by the baker Antonio Valls. However, several gastronomic experts say that it is an evolution of the typical marzipan and fruit rolls that were sold prior to the creation of this pastry. It consists of a stuffed marzipan wrap with egg yolk or candied fruit. Mouthwatering!
When it’s Holy Week time, some typical pastries of Cádiz that take centre stage are roscos or rosquetes and the typical torrijas. The first one is an easy-to-make pastry with ingredients that we can find in any house: flour, lemon, olive oil and cinnamon. It is a very fun recipe to make with children at home, as they will enjoy shaping the roscos.
Tthe well-known torrijas are usually made at this time of the year (Spanish-style French toast). As in many typical recipes of the province, it is born from the need to make the most of the leftovers. Therefore, they are known as “recipes of use.” Back in the 15th century, hard bread was used to hold over in Lent , as the Catholic tradition banned eating meat products. This pastry is made with milk, hard bread and olive oil. They are usually sweetened with muscatel wine or honey.
In summer, some ice cream parlours make handmade ice cream with some of the recipes that you have been reading on this post. We are convinced that in a short time they will become very typical.
On All Saints’ Day, in autumn, the showcases and shop windows of the city’s sweet shops are filled with huesos de santo. These pastries are quick bites in the form of rolls made with a marzipan dough, filled with egg yolk cream and topped with a layer of icing sugar.
Our little introduction to the typical pastries of Cádiz ends here. Do you feel like discovering them to lick your fingers?