Christmas brings with it the unmistakable aroma of traditional sweets, and one of the most iconic in Spain is the mantecado. These small bites, with their soft texture and authentic flavour that transports us to the most classic pastries, are a must-have for the Christmas festivities. Originating in Estepa, an Andalusian town famous for its tradition of making mantecados, these sweets have been part of Spanish tables for generations.

In this blog, we will teach you how to make your own recipe for homemade mantecados, a simple preparation, but with all the authentic flavour of Spanish pastries. Follow the steps and discover how to prepare these delicious sweets that will undoubtedly invite you to taste the best of the Christmas culinary tradition. Kneading and baking your own mantecados has never been so easy!

Traditional Mantecado Recipe

Mantecados are an essential sweet for the Christmas festivities in Spain. Made with simple ingredients like lard and sugar, their texture and flavor are unmistakable. Its origin in Spanish pastry has been a source of culinary pride, and today its preparation remains a classic in many homes during the Christmas season.

Recipe information for mantecados

Here we give you all the details so that you can prepare these delicious homemade mantecados in your own kitchen.

Preparation time

20 minutes (not counting the dough's resting time)

Cooking time

25 minutes

Total time

45 minutes + resting time

Ingredients

- 500 g of wheat flour

- 250 g of lard

- 150 g of powdered sugar

- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in powder

- Lemon or orange zest (optional)

- 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (optional)

- Powdered sugar to sprinkle at the end

How to make homemade mantecados?

Below, we explain step by step how to prepare homemade mantecados with that authentic flavor that will make everyone want to try them.

Step 1: Prepare the flour

The first step to get the perfect texture of the mantecados is to cook the flour lightly to remove the moisture. Spread the flour on a baking tray and bake it at 150°C for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will give the mantecados their characteristic soft and crumbly texture.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients

While the flour cools, in a large bowl, add the lard (at room temperature) and the icing sugar. Mix until you get a smooth cream. Next, add the cinnamon and lemon or orange zest to give them that special touch of aroma. Little by little, add the toasted flour and continue kneading until you obtain a homogeneous dough.

Step 3: Knead and rest the dough

Once the dough is well mixed, form a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial, since resting allows the ingredients to integrate well and the dough to acquire the right consistency to work with later.

Step 4: Form the mantecados

After resting, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it is approximately 1 cm thick. Use a cookie cutter or a small glass to shape the mantecados. You can shape them into the classic round shape or use Christmas cutters if you prefer to make them more festive.

Step 5: Bake the mantecados

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the mantecados on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. It's important to monitor the oven temperature so that they don't overcook and maintain their soft texture.

Step 6: Let cool and decorate

Once the mantecados are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a rack. As they cool, they will reach their final texture. To give them the finishing touch, sprinkle icing sugar on top. And they are ready to eat!

Summary of preparing mantecados

Here is a summary of the steps so you can quickly prepare your homemade mantecados:

Step 1: Prepare the flour

Cook the flour in the oven to remove moisture.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients

Add the lard, powdered sugar, cinnamon and toasted flour, and mix well until you obtain a homogeneous dough.

Step 3: Knead and rest the dough

Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4: Form the mantecados

Cut the dough into round or square shapes.

Step 5: Bake the mantecados

Bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.

Step 6: Let cool and decorate

Sprinkle icing sugar on top once cooled.

Preparing homemade mantecados is a tradition that connects us with the most authentic cuisine of Spain. Each step of making these sweets, from kneading the dough to the moment you bake them and perceive their delicious aroma, is an opportunity to enjoy the culinary art of Christmas. In addition, making your own mantecados allows you to adjust the flavors and enjoy a homemade sweet.

Trying this recipe is not only an invitation to taste a classic of Spanish pastry, but also to live the experience of cooking something that, since its origin in Estepa, has managed to conquer palates generation after generation. This year, don't miss out on some homemade mantecados prepared by yourself!