If you think of holidaying in gorgeous Mallorca hotels, you’ll probably conjure images of delicious seafood, hams and cheeses, and other traditional Balearic foods. However, for those of us who have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of times when even the most delicious savoury snack won’t do the job, and the cravings for sweets must be obeyed! Many regular visitors to the island are fans of Greenfields caf in Santa Ponsa, which serves up cupcakes, carrot cakes, and delicious scones.
But why not give some traditional Spanish teatime treats a try, along with a cup of hot chocolate or cafe con leche? At Magaluf hotels, as is the case throughout Spain, you’ll find magdalenas on offer at breakfast time. These small, sweet cakes resemble French madeleines: light and fluffy in texture, rich with butter and flavoured with lemon zest. In Majorca and Menorca, another favourite cake that’s served with merienda, or afternoon tea, is ensaimada.
Think of the love child with a bun and a pastry and you’ll get the idea – they’re made with various toppings such as pumpkin, marzipan, chocolate, or even apricot jam. The pastries are typically made with the local ingredients that are found in such abundance in the area, so you can expect to find almonds, apricots, oranges, lemons, and many other flavours.
Another traditional Spanish favourite served in Magaluf hotels are mantecados, a kind of traditional shortbread flavoured with anise. They’re so rich and crumbly that they will literally melt in your mouth – and leave you reaching for another! Another hugely popular dessert option is rubiols.
Made with a thinner dough than ensaimadas, they’re filled with pumpkin and syrup or even cottage cheese, and are often enjoyed as an after-dinner snack. They’re sold all year round in the islands’ many bakeries, but around Easter time it’s traditional for families to make their own at home along with panades, a type of savoury pastry.
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