Huesos de Santo, which translates to “Bones of the Saints,” are a classic Spanish dessert with deep-rooted traditions. These sweet treats are typically made to celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st, honoring the departed. Huesos de Santo are cylindrical pastries, filled with a luscious, sweet filling like almond paste or custard, and often have a thin outer layer of marzipan. These delightful “bones” are a unique blend of history, religion, and culinary artistry.
| Country | Spain |
| Degree of Difficulty | Medium |
| Type of Food | Dessert |
| Cooking Time | 20 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour |
| Serving Size | 4-6 servings |
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup almond paste or custard (for the filling)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
- Roll out your puff pastry sheet on a floured surface, then cut it into rectangular strips, about 3-4 inches wide.
- Take your almond paste or custard and shape it into thin logs that match the length of your pastry strips.
- Lay the almond paste or custard logs in the center of each pastry strip. Roll the pastry around the filling to create cylindrical shapes, ensuring they are securely sealed.
- Place the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- While the pastries are baking, make a simple syrup by combining sugar, water, and honey in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the ground almonds to the syrup and mix well. This forms a marzipan-like paste.
- Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool. Once they are cooled, you can roll them in the marzipan mixture until they are evenly coated.
- Allow them to sit for a few minutes to let the marzipan set.
- Before serving, dust the Huesos de Santo with powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness.
Nutritional Information: (per serving)
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Fat | 15g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Carbohydrates | 50g |
Optional Additions or Substitutions:
- You can use custard or almond paste for the filling, depending on your preference.
- Some traditional recipes use orange blossom water to flavor the marzipan.
Tips or Variations:
- You can make your own puff pastry from scratch or use store-bought puff pastry for convenience.
- Feel free to get creative with shapes or decorations to make your Huesos de Santo uniquely yours.
- Serve with a warm cup of Spanish hot chocolate for an authentic experience.
Other Countries Where They Also Make This Recipe:
- While the name may differ, pastries resembling Huesos de Santo are prepared in various forms in Latin American countries, especially around the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations.
Allergen Checklist:
- This recipe contains nuts (almonds) and wheat, so it may not be suitable for those with allergies to these ingredients.
- This traditional recipe is suitable for vegetarian. However, the almond paste may have egg whites, which would make this recipe not suitable for vegans
