The best 'panellets' in Barcelona to enjoy on Halloween
If pumpkins, costumes and trick-or-treating aren’t your thing, there’s always the sweet Catalan chestnut festival (castañada), which every year at this time of year gives us an excuse to get our fill of sugar without any remorse. Between roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes and muscatel, panellets are king. These little round cakes (morsels of the gods) made with marzipan, pine nuts and whatever else the master artisan wants to include, are sold in almost every patisserie in Barcelona on the eve of All Saints’ Day. However, due to the quality of the ingredients, the preparation technique and the pairing of flavours, only a few of them take the title of the best panellets in the city. Take note!
Ubicación: 41.3927673,2.0577874
1. Forn La Sitja-Providència
We begin with what, according to the Gremi de Flequers, is the best panellets in Barcelona: the one made by master craftsman Xavier Corcelles at Forn La Sitja-Providència. The external image, the quality of the ingredients, the flavour and the structure in the mouth of his delicate panellets have earned this establishment first prize in the “Ruta al Millor Panellet” (best panellet route). This is a must-try.
Where: C. de la Providència, 59
2. Baluard
This is one of the most popular bakeries in the city for the quality of its pastries and, of course, the panellets are no exception. The classic recipe with pine nuts is joined by the pistachio panellets: an explosion of creaminess with a crunchy touch that makes you laugh at pumpkin pie. If you happen to be in Barceloneta, don’t leave without a box of panellets.
Where: C. del Baluard, 38 and other locations.
3. Mauri
This traditional bakery located in the heart of Rambla de Catalunya has been open since 1929. And with so much time and so many hands focused on refining techniques, how could their panellets not be among the best in the city? They have the classic ones, made with pine nuts, and other marvels such as those made with egg yolk, quince and almonds.
Where: Rambla de Catalunya, 102.
4. Pastisseria Hofmann
If you want a variety of flavours, at this pastry shop in the Ciutat Vella you’ll find 100% Arabica coffee panellets, raspberry panellets with raspberry sugar, pistachio panellets with candied orange inside and three citrus fruit panellets. Our mouths are watering just thinking about them!
C/ dels Flassaders, 44
5. Pastisseria Escribà
Christian Escribà, the man in charge of this pastry shop’s creations, has achieved one of the most incredible marzipan textures in Barcelona thanks to the mastery he inherited from his grandfather and great-grandfather. To this is added the crunchy and generous layer of pine nuts. As for the types of panellets, in this establishment founded in 1906, tradition and innovation go hand in hand, and we find flavours such as lemon pie, tiramisu and, of course, Catalan cream. Long live panellets!
Where: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 546 and other locations.