Sweets & Pastries

Mallorca's bakeries and pastry shops (Pastisserien) are a paradise for those with a sweet tooth — and the undisputed queen of pastries is the Ensaimada.

Ensaimada

THE pastry of Mallorca — a spiral-shaped, airy yeast pastry, dusted with powdered sugar, made with pork lard (saim, hence the name). The simple Ensaimada (ensaimada llisa) is plain, the filled version comes with Cabello de angel (pumpkin jam), cream, chocolate, or apricot. Large Ensaimadas are sold in flat, round cardboard boxes and are THE souvenir from Mallorca. At the airport, you see travelers with stacks of these boxes — an unmistakable sight.

The best Ensaimadas can be found at Forn des Teatre and Can Joan de s'Aigo in Palma — the latter in continuous operation since 1700 (!).

Coca de patata

A sweet potato bun from Valldemossa — fluffy, slightly sweet, perfect for breakfast or afternoon chocolate. You can find it almost only in Valldemossa itself, and it tastes nowhere as good as there.

Gato d'ametlla

The almond cake — moist, flourless, made only from almonds, eggs, sugar, and lemon. It is often served with a dollop of almond ice cream. A simple dessert that celebrates the quality of Mallorcan almonds.

Rubiols and Crespells

Rubiols are crescent-shaped pastries filled with curd, jam, or Cabello de angel — traditionally for Easter. Crespells are delicate shortbread cookies in flower or star shapes, also an Easter pastry. Both can be found in every bakery from March onwards.