Spanish Christmas Sweets: Where to Start?

Yes, that time of year is coming around again, and in our world that means a deluge of 'polvorones', 'turrones', 'peladillas' and 'figuritas'. If you're lost in an almond and honey haze, here's how to crunch your way through the festive season like a Spanish pensioner.

The variety of Turrones available is staggering!

Turrones are the Spanish Christmas favourite (for the lowdown, check out our Turron Buyer's Guide). Although the classic varieties of Alicante (Hard Turron) and Jijona (Soft Turron) are still the bestsellers, you might be tempted to try something a little different like Toasted Egg Yolk Turron. Another twist on the classics are the Chocolate Turrons, which are a firm favourite amongst sweet lovers who aren't so keen on almonds or nuts in general. The most common chocolate turron is made crunchy with the addition of puffed rice, but the chocolate/almond combination is also delicious and becoming popular.

Away from the turrons, there are a number of Christmas favourites that can't be missed.

Almonds are used in many Spanish Christmas sweets

All types of nuts, particularly almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts are devoured at Christmas in some sugared form or other. The most luxurious varieties use almonds:  Peladillas, for example, are almonds with a crunchy sugar coating; almond filled sweets are almond shapes filled with a delicately sweet almond paste. Pine nuts (Piñones) are also common in sugared-coated form.

Polvorones are a soft-baked biscuit-like sweet that literally crumble into dust upon being bitten into (don't be tempted to say 'Polvoron' with your mouth full). The traditional variety is plain, or perhaps flavoured with cinnamon or lemon, but chocolate-covered polvorones are also occasionally seen. Polvorones are a true delicacy and one of the most appreciated Spanish treats in the UK. Best served with a 'cafe con leche' or a nice cup of tea.

Another very common sweet in Spain which has traditionally been popular in the UK is marzipan. The Spanish variety is not as rich and overpowering as you might think and is most often sold in festively shaped pieces called Figuritas de Mazapan - definately worth a try.

Whichever Spanish Christmas treats take your fancy, remember that we at The Tapas Lunch Company import the highest quality sweets direct from the manufacturers and are happy to offer buying advice whenever needed...just don't come after us in the New Year when you hit the scales!