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Date Published: 11/12/2023

The top 5 typical Christmas sweet treats from Murcia you have to try

These traditional delectable desserts from the Region of Murcia are not to be missed

For many, Christmas is a time of guilt-free indulgence with family and friends, and those with a sweet tooth will be spoilt for choice as the Region of Murcia is home to some of the most delectable treats in all of Spain.

Heavily influenced by both Arab and Christian recipes, ingredients such as almonds, cabello de ángel (a type of fruit jam), flour and lard feature prominently in some of Murcia’s favourite sweets, which include cordiales, shortbreads and a wide selection of cakes.

1. Cordiales

Made from a mixture of almond dough, sugar, egg and lemon zest, cordiales are typical of the Huerta de Murcia and most of eastern Spain. Though traditionally filled with cabello de ángel, newer versions containing coconut and chocolate have sprung up in recent years.

2. Exploradores de Cartagena

A mixture of sweet and salty, this typical cake from Cartagena is a kind of puff pastry dumpling battered in sugar. The filling is made of minced meat and foie gras. Once the salty mixture has been placed inside the puff pastry, they are fried and liberally coated in sugar.

3. Recao cakes

What makes these little Christmas cakes (Tortas de Recao) unusual is the way the edges are moulded to form stars. The base consists of a sinful mixture of honey and rolled almonds while the sponge is made up of sugar, lemon peel, anise, flour and ground almonds.

4. Alfajor

This delicious dessert should not be confused with the Argentine alfajores, which are filled with dulce de leche (caramelised milk). The Murcian version, typical of Caravaca de la Cruz, features a mixture of toasted almond and hazelnut, lemon, cinnamon and honey placed between two wafers.

5. Pirusas

This typical Jumilla sweet consists of a dough of candeal flour, dried anise, oil, egg yolk and sugar that, after baking, is sprinkled with icing sugar.

Image 1: Archive

Image 2: Wikimedia commons

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