postres de Navidad

Yule log, tronco de Navidad, Mama Ía blog

Yule Log, Tronco de Navidad, for Christmas —and a celebratory London trip

Yule log, tronco de Navidad, Mama Ía blogThanksgiving came late this year, so as I kept basting the turkey every thirty minutes, I was already thinking of recipes for Christmas. With the aroma of the bird roasting in the oven, football on TV as the background sound and the sight of two of my children relaxing on the sofa —a heavenly picture, given that they had not been home since the summer—, my mind kept going back to …yule log!

Portobello Market, Mama ía blog

Strolling through Portobello Market, Notting Hill

For many years, I bought our Christmas yule log at the bakery, and it was good. But last year I decided to tackle it myself. It looked like a huge task, but I faced it in chunks to make it seem easier. I took the cake recipe from one (more…)

Panellets, Mama Ía blog

Panellets, marzipan pastries for a Spanish flavored Christmas

Don’t we all crave the flavors of our childhood at Christmas time, the treats that bring us back to our younger selves, the sounds of the songs sung and the games played with siblings and cousins in crowded, noisy and happy homes? Okay, I’m describing my own memories, but I’m sure each of us has our own, those which bring a smile to our faces and make us long for those care and stress-free days. Marzipan pastries or panellets are a treat that brings me back to the Christmases of my childhood.

Christmas 2021, Mama ía blog

Handel’s Messiah by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at gorgeous First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, a Christmas tradition

Christmas 2021, Mama Ía blog

The recipe I’m sharing today is that of a traditional Spanish sweet, more typical of All Saints Day than of Christmas, depending on what region of Spain we’re talking about. In Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic islands these almond treats  are called panellets, and are eaten and sold at the pastry shops mostly on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1 and 2nd. In other regions of Spain they are called simply mazapanes, marzipans, and even though they are made and sold throughout the year, Christmas is where you’ll find them more often at the pastry shops. The most famous ones are from obrador Santo Tomé in Toledo, an institution founded in 1856. (more…)

Gingerbread layer cake, Mama Ía blog

Gingerbread layer cake, for a holiday season like no other

Gingerbread layer cake, Mama Ía blogThis gingerbread layer cake was my birthday cake, but it turned out so festive and beautiful (and delicious!) that I think it will make for a wonderful end of your Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas day brunch or lunch.

Thanksgiving table 2020, Mama Ía blogChicago, Mama ía blog

The molasses in the gingerbread layer cake give it a very characteristic flavor, and you could substitute the molasses with dark corn syrup for a smoother flavor. The addition of the Guinness beer is surprising, and perfect. And then, the nutmeg in (more…)