M. Canales
Updated Monday, March 25, 2024-23:15
Holy Week
would
not be the same, gastronomically speaking, if there were no
torrijas
. Pastry shops, bakeries, workshops, bars, restaurants and even candy stores strive every year to offer their best recipe for this seasonal sweet, of which more than seven million are sold (only in the Community of Madrid) during these dates.
And not only does it cause lines to buy it; Torrija, in addition, has established itself as one of the favorite traditional desserts of Spanish gastronomy that the public orders at home. According to Glovo, users of this delivery platform in the Community of Madrid ordered
more than 15,000 units in 2023
, mainly between March and April. Nationwide, more than 25,000 torrijas were sold at home. The classic was the most demanded.
If you are one of those who cannot resist this dessert, whether with the traditional recipe or a more innovative one, we propose a route of places that you cannot miss to enjoy some of the best in Madrid.
The Mallorquina
In the centenary and legendary pastry shop of Puerta del Sol, torrijas are a classic during Holy Week and they are used to long lines to buy the
traditional ones
, the only version that they make artisanally in their workshop. These, made with brioche bread made only for torrijas, only contain milk, sugar, cinnamon and egg.
Where
: Puerta de Sol, 8. tel.: 91 521 12 01.
Price
: 6.50 euros/two units.
The Panazo
The torrijas from this artisanal bakery, which it makes throughout the year, have been
the second best in the traditional category in the Community of Madrid
this year, in the contest organized by the Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Madrid (ACYRE Madrid). The secret? Bread is homemade to which they then add a syrup with flower water.
Where
: Ferrer del Río, 9; Tel. 910 000 002.
Price
: 4.20 euros per unit.
24 Ounces
If you want a
more original torrija
, this artisanal chocolate shop has achieved third place in the aforementioned ACYRE contest, but in the innovation category. It is a torrija in the shape of a chocolate ingot with a toffee layer, brioche soaked in white chocolate ganache with lemon zest and cinnamon, the work of the owner of the business, Lucía Esteban.
Where
: Zurbano, 54. Online orders www.24onzas.com.
Price
: 15 euros.
The Duchess
In addition to the traditional one, this year,
Oriol Balaguer
prepares his version of torrija topped with a fine pastry cream that he caramelizes with a blowtorch, emulating the Catalan cream from an artisanal brioche dough bread that he leaves for 24 hours. Then he infuses them with milk, natural vanilla beans, orange peels, lemon, anise, and cinnamon sticks. Later, once fried, he bathes them in sugar and cinnamon.
Where
: Fernando IV, 2. Tel. 913 08 02 31.
Price
: 3.80 euros for the traditional one and 4.50 euros for the toast.
Bread and Cocoa
Pastry chef Miguel Moreno makes two types of torrijas in his workshop: brioche bread with milk, sugar, cinnamon and orange, and croissant dough with milk and vanilla infusion. Both juicy inside and crispy on the edges.
Address
: Clara del Rey 51.Tel. 918 39 70 45.
Price
: 3 euros/unit
Turris
With the mix of tradition, innovation and craftsmanship that characterizes it, the bakery, with three locations in Madrid, makes available during Holy Week its torrijas made daily with a spongy, tender brioche with a sweet touch that is bathed in a milk infusion, lemon and orange peel zest, vanilla extract, sugar and egg. All of this coated in a layer of sugar and cinnamon that gives them that juicy touch on the inside and crunchy on the outside.
Where
: Hermosilla, 84; Tel. 914 183 965.
Price
: 2.95 euros.
Katz Madrid
The Sephardic David Katz, owner and creator of the Katz concept, presents once again his torrija, which he has perfected through a meticulous research process. Katz has replaced the yeast, common in Sephardic cuisine, "with egg whites whipped until stiff, organic ingredients and superior quality cinnamon from the cassia variety," according to the pastry chef. The torrija is delicately fried, achieving a juicy interior and a slightly crispy crust. The
French toast with Baileys
stands out , with original Irish whiskey liqueur mixed with milk. There are them with or without gluten.
Where
: Gabriel Lobo, 26; Tel. 910 66 46 66.
Price
: 3.40 euros.
MOTHERFRIEND
Begoña San Pedro, co-founder of this bakery with six stores in Madrid, offers a classic torrija recipe, made with her brioche bread and an infusion of milk, cinnamon, lemon, orange and sugar. The secret is that
they are baked
with a touch of honey so that it caramelizes on the outside.
Where
: Paseo de la Habana, 13.
Price:
2.50 euros.
PAN.DELIRIUM
This bakery with several stores specializes in artisanal bread, but also in torrijas that they make all year round. And they make them with the dough from their award-winning roscón de Reyes, which they bathe for at least one night in milk infused with lemon peel, honey, cinnamon and vanilla, and end up being baked instead of fried.
Where
: Juan Bravo, 21. Tel.: 912 680 588.
Price
: 7 euros.
Nude Cake
The Alcorcón artisan workshop, led by Paula Beer, makes traditional torrijas from natural ingredients, but also dares to innovate. In the recent edition of The Best Torrija in Madrid, organized by the Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Madrid (ACYRE Madrid), it came second in the innovation category with a
hamburger-shaped torrija that
is only for sale by order. .
Where
: Pl. Príncipes de España, 1 Posterior Local 9; Tel. 688 25 01 17.
Price
: 2.75 euros.
MAJORCA
The pastry chain has been making its traditional French toast with brioche bread for more than six decades. This year, in addition, it is releasing a limited edition again. In this case the
torrija suzette,
inspired by the most famous crêpes of French cuisine, with a base of brioche bread soaked in milk infused with orange and cinnamon. Afterwards, the dough is topped with a cream made from orange and Madagascar vanilla and the suzette sauce is served piping hot before enjoying. They can be ordered at home (www.pastelerías-mallorca.com)
Where
:
Various stores in Madrid.
Price
: 6.50 euros, the suzette and 3 euros, the traditional one.
VIENNA CHAPLAINS
The company with 25 stores in the capital also sells this year its gold
caramel chocolate torrija
with
raspberry
crunch
, created by its master pastry chef Francisco Somoza and awarded last year for being the most innovative in Madrid in 2023. The sweet is baked and covered with 70% wissau chocolate. They can be ordered at home (www.vienacapellanes.com). The brand also has the classic milk bread torrija available with cinnamon and lemon aroma.
Where
. Various addresses.
Price
: 3.95 euros, the classic one and 5.50 euros, the chocolate one.