Ensaimada Excellence: 3 Tips for Mastering the Art of Spanish Spiral Pastries

By Deven Bhatia

Mastering the art of Spanish ensaimadas

the spiral-shaped pastries, involves attention to detail and technique. Here are three tips to help you achieve ensaimada excellence:

Dough Dance

Ensaimadas crave patience! Enriched with eggs, sugar, and sometimes milk, their dough needs proper fermentation. Let it rise and sing, developing flavor and achieving a light, airy grace. Knead until smooth and elastic.

Spiral Symphony

Master the art of the twirl! Roll out your dough, spread a generous layer of lard (or butter, if you prefer), and sprinkle it with sweet sugar. Then, like a maestro with your rolling pin, create a log and shape it into a mesmerizing spiral coil.

Patience for Proofing

Rise and shine, little ensaimadas! Let them rest after shaping, allowing them to puff up and double in size. This patient wait unlocks the key to lightness, ensuring each bite is a fluffy cloud of delight.

Bonus Tip

Traditional apple and cherry are classics, but let your creativity bloom. Poppy seeds, cheese, or savory surprises – your strudel can be a culinary adventure.

Conquering the art of ensaimadas takes practice and a dash of patience

but the reward is sweet indeed. With these three whispers of advice, you'll be crafting ensaimadas with excellence.