Chasing Nun Cookies in Spain

Memories from fun and tasty travel adventures

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Whenever I travel I love to go to local bakeries to check out their baked goodies.  I stop at every bakery that I can and always come home with a “camera roll” full of cookie, cake and other baked goods photos.

I went to Spain in 2019 with my mom and my two sisters. Before I left one of my friends told me about what she called “nun cookies.”  Let me explain. In some cities in Spain, it’s possible to buy cookies made by nuns as a way to generate income. The ways you can purchase the cookies range from shops in very touristy areas to going directly to the convent and making your transaction via something called a “torno.” A torno is a bit like a lazy Susan. How it works is, you put your money on it and spin it around. The nun then places the cookies on it and spins it back to you. This makes for a no-contact transaction for cloistered nuns.

At our first stop, Toledo, I sought out a shop that sold nun cookies. It was a regular shop in a touristy area.  It was fun to visit but not quite the experience I was looking for. That said, the cookies I bought, a light lemon cookie, were delicious.

In Seville, we had a guide for a walking tour.  As we left the hotel, she said our first stop was close by. Much to our surprise and delight, we stopped at the Convento de San Leandro which dates back to 1369.  And, the nuns there sold cookies and the convent was equipped with a torno!  We didn’t actually buy any cookies at this stop as the type of cookies they sold, which are known as Yemas de San Leandro and are made of an egg yolk baked inside a pyramid of white sugar, did not appeal to us. My mom and one of my sisters did buy a few trinkets which was a good alternative.

I am looking forward to being able to get back to Europe (and other places!) again and will, of course, be seeking out cookies, other baked goodies and food in general and will share my adventures.

Cheers!

Sallie

One More Thing Before I Go …

Looking for more info on finding nun cookies in Spain? Check here and here.