Panellets
Small marzipan cakes, often rolled in pine nuts, for All Saints' Day in Catalonia
Panellets are small, round cakes or cookies made mainly from marzipan, a sweet almond and sugar paste. They are a traditional treat for All Saints' Day, especially in Catalonia, Andorra, Ibiza, and the Valencian Community, and are often served with dessert wine. The most popular type is coated in pine nuts.
- Traditional sweet for All Saints' Day in Catalonia and nearby regions
- Made mainly from marzipan and often coated in pine nuts
- Panellets date back to at least the 18th century
- Have Traditional Speciality Guaranteed status in the EU and UK
What is Panellets?
Panellets are small, sweet cakes or cookies, usually round, made mostly from marzipan. Marzipan is a paste of ground almonds and sugar. The most common version is rolled in pine nuts and brushed with egg, giving a glossy finish. Other shapes and coatings exist, but pine nut panellets are the best known. They are often eaten alongside chestnuts and sweet potatoes during the festival season.
Where does Panellets come from?
Panellets have been part of Catalan and nearby regions' celebrations since at least the 18th century. They were once used as blessed food, shared after religious events such as Sant Marc and the Santa Creu. The tradition is especially strong for All Saints' Day, called Castanyada in Catalonia. In Seville, a similar sweet is called empiñonados. Panellets now have Traditional Speciality Guaranteed status in the EU and UK.
How is Panellets made?
To make panellets, marzipan is shaped into small balls or other forms. For the classic type, each piece is rolled in pine nuts, which stick to the moist marzipan. The surface is then brushed with egg to help the nuts adhere and to give a shiny look after baking. There are other versions with different coatings or shapes, but the marzipan base is always present.
How and when is Panellets eaten?
Panellets are mainly eaten during All Saints' Day and Castanyada, a festival in Catalonia and nearby regions. They are often enjoyed with dessert wines such as moscatell, mistela, vi de missa, or vi ranci. People typically eat them with roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes as part of the seasonal celebration. They are served as a snack or sweet treat, often shared among family and friends.
Kinds of Panellets
While the pine nut-covered panellet is the most popular, there are other types with different coatings or shapes. In Seville, a similar sweet is called empiñonados. The marzipan base allows for a range of shapes and toppings, but the essential ingredients remain the same. Some versions may use other nuts or decorations.
What Panellets means
Panellets are closely tied to the Castanyada festival and All Saints' Day, marking the autumn season in Catalonia and nearby regions. Their role as a festive food dates back centuries. The sweet has received Traditional Speciality Guaranteed status in the EU and UK, recognizing its cultural and culinary importance. Eating panellets with chestnuts and sweet potatoes is a cherished custom.
When Panellets is on the table
Questions people ask about Panellets
What are panellets made of?
Panellets are made mainly from marzipan, which is a paste of almonds and sugar. The most popular kind is rolled in pine nuts and brushed with egg before baking.
Where do panellets come from?
Panellets are traditional in Catalonia, Andorra, Ibiza, and the Valencian Community, especially for All Saints' Day. They have been made since at least the 18th century.
When are panellets usually eaten?
Panellets are typically eaten during All Saints' Day and the Castanyada festival, often with chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and dessert wine.
Are panellets vegetarian?
Yes, panellets are vegetarian. They are made from marzipan, pine nuts, and egg, with no meat or fish.
What do panellets look and taste like?
Panellets are small, round cakes or cookies. The classic kind is coated in pine nuts and has a sweet, nutty flavor from the marzipan and nuts.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Panellets", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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