Cortadillos de Cidra Recipe: Sweet Andalusian Pastries 2026

Cortadillos de cidra are small, tender pastries from Andalusia, especially beloved in Seville, where a soft, crisp dough wraps around a sweet filling of angel hair squash jam. Each bite delivers a creamy, lemony center against a buttery crust that melts in the mouth.

The filling, known as cabello de ángel, is made from the pulp of the cidra squash, giving these treats a delicate sweetness that is impossible to resist. Though traditionally enjoyed at Christmas alongside polvorones and mantecados, they are easy to make at home any time of year.

With just a handful of ingredients and a simple method, this recipe lets you savor a piece of Spanish baking history without any fuss. Serve them as a dessert or alongside a cup of coffee.

Ingredients for Cortadillos de Cidra

For 16 pastries

• 500 g wheat flour
• 250 g pork lard at room temperature
• 155 g powdered sugar (125 g for the dough and 30 g for decorating)
• 60 g water
• 400 g angel hair squash jam (cabello de ángel)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Cortadillos de Cidra Step by Step

1. Make the dough

In a bowl, combine 500 grams of wheat flour, 250 grams of pork lard at room temperature, 125 grams of powdered sugar, and 60 grams of water. Mix well until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough.

2. Divide the dough

Divide the dough into two equal portions and set them aside.

3. Grease and line the pan

Grease and line the base and sides of a 20 x 20 cm square baking pan.

4. Roll out one piece of dough

Preheat the oven to 160 °C with top and bottom heat. Roll out one piece of dough with your hands or a rolling pin into a square approximately 20 x 20 cm.

5. Fit the dough into the pan

Place the dough in the base of the pan and press it gently to cover the entire surface.

6. Mix the filling

In a bowl, mix 400 grams of angel hair squash jam with the zest of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until well combined.

7. Spread the filling

Pour the filling over the dough in the pan and smooth it out into an even layer.

8. Top with the second dough and bake

Roll out the second piece of dough into a square about 20 x 20 cm and place it over the filling, pressing gently without squashing the filling. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the surface is lightly golden.

9. Cool completely

Remove the pan from the oven and let the pastry cool completely in the pan. Ideally, leave it to cool overnight so the dough and filling settle fully.

10. Unmold and cut

Once cold, unmold the pastry and cut it into 16 equal portions.

11. Dust with powdered sugar

Before serving, dust the portions with 30 grams of powdered sugar over the entire surface.

12. Serve

Serve and enjoy these delicious cortadillos de cidra as a dessert or to accompany a coffee.

Tips for the Best Cortadillos de Cidra

Use room-temperature lard

Make sure the pork lard is soft and at room temperature before mixing; this ensures a smooth, pliable dough that rolls out easily and bakes into a tender crust.

Let it cool overnight

Patience pays off: cooling the pastry completely, preferably overnight, allows the dough and filling to set, making it easier to cut neat portions and intensifying the flavors.

Balance the filling

The angel hair squash jam is naturally sweet, so taste it before mixing with the lemon zest and cinnamon. Adjust the cinnamon slightly if you prefer a more pronounced spice note.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

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Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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