Shortbread cookies and buns are sweets which are typical in Christmas, they are always on the table waiting for someone to eat them. And, at the end, it always happens, because shortbread cookies and buns are the irresistible Christmas sweets.
It is true that in Christmas we are not so worried about the scales. We treat ourselves a bit more. I would even say that much more. And some of the things at fault are, in addition to Suchard nougat, shortbread cookies and buns. I am talking from my own experience.
It doesn’t matter the day, during Christmas season everything is possible.
And when it is not Christmas season?
What are Shortbread cookies and buns?
Do we really know what Shortbread cookies and buns are? In fact, many times we have even confused them, as they are very similar in shape and ingredients.
Shortbread cookies and buns are the Christmas desserts par excellence which accompany Spanish nougat, may it be hard or soft nougat, in Christmas parties.
Who has never tried Shortbread cookies and buns? Few hands can be raised as an answer to this question. The ingredients conforming both of them are the same: flour, butter, almonds, and sugar. Even though there are some variations that we will later explain in detail.
These delicious typical sweets which are traditional from Spanish confectionery are produced in Estepa, in the province of Sevilla, among many other provinces, but this one stands out. Estepa is one of the hometowns of Christmas sweets, and since July 2014 they count on Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) from Estepa, an indication which guarantees and regulates the quality of shortbread cookies (polvorones) and buns (mantecados).
When is the time to consume these typical sweets from Spanish confectionery?
The answer to this question is a curious fact which many of you may not know. Polvorones, as well as mantecados, are very typical and traditional sweets during Christmas parties. In fact, polvorones are only consumed during this period.
But in the case of mantecados, they are a kind of sweet consumed during the whole year, especially in provinces such as Toledo. In that province, mantecados are much more than just a Christmas product. Almond mantecados are very usual in the desserts of menus and they are even part of the breakfasts of many households.
But, for the vast majority of the population, Shortbread cookies and buns are sweets to be consumed during Christmas and special times.
Differences between shortbread cookies and buns
A priori, both Christmas desserts may appear the same, and they can even be confused. But they are actually different:
The polvorón is a homemade toast made by flour, butter, almonds and icing sugar. It can even have a touch of lemon which provides it with a softer flavour. Its shape is oval and slightly bigger than that of mantecado. Moreover, polvorones are always almond polvorones, there are no variations, and they have icing sugar in their surface as a decoration.
Whereas mantecados, if they have almonds, these are not toasted. The shape of mantecados is totally round, and they may contain sesame seeds in their surface as a decoration. They might have different flavours: lemon mantecados, chocolate mantecados, coconut mantecados, etc.
Which are the best shortbread cookies (polvorones) and buns (mantecados)?
It is a bit hard to say which are the polvorones and mantecados, as there’s no accounting for tastes. But in Gastronomic Spain we offer three different kinds which guarantee their quality, craftwork, and delicacy in the elaboration of the products and in the final finish.
Turrones 1880 is one of the best-known brands in Spain, not only because of their nougats, “the most expensive nougats ever”, but because of the dedication they put in their elaboration. Among these, we can find polvorones and mantecados.
Doña Jimena and La Vicaría are other companies which are completely dedicated to this sector, the one of Christmas sweets. Both of them count on wide history and experience for the elaboration of top-quality polvorones and mantecados.
All of them and many more are available at Gastronomic Spain.
Buy polvorones and mantecados online
Coming back to Spain during these times is more than difficult. In fact, many of you, because of work matters or other issues, can’t come back and be with your families.
Gastronomic Spain has the solution which will make the bad thoughts go away. Buy polvorones and mantecados in Gastronomic Spain, the best typical Christmas sweets, now available and at your disposal.
Moreover, if you are not only interested in sweets, but also in other typical Spanish products such as Ibérico hams, any Manchego cheeses, Albariño wines or any kind of appetizers such as pickled mussels, this one is the perfect online shop in order to make your Christmas shopping.
It is time to make your shopping of typical Spanish food and prepare a good Spanish feast thanks to Gastronomic Spain. Free shipping costs to all the countries within the European Union in orders over 79.99€.
