Ready to try one of Ibiza’s typical desserts? Greixonera is a pudding-like dessert that is made on the island in the traditional way and is truly exquisite. This dessert, which originally came about as a good way to make the most of the leftover ensaimadas from the previous day, has now become an essential sweet.
Here we show you how to make it quickly and easily. Try it with us and put a little piece of Ibiza in your mouth!
What is greixonera?
Greixonera, along with flaó, is one of Ibiza’s most typical desserts. Of course, you can’t leave the island without having tried it.
Its texture is similar to that of pudding or flan and it has a hint of cinnamon flavour. Although it can be made with the day’s ensaimadas or other ingredients, such as sponge cakes or even stale bread, it is most commonly made with the ensaimadas left over from the previous day, which are drier and more flavoursome. In this way, greixonera forms part of what is known as “kitchen of use”.
It is a quick and easy dessert that is also very nutritious. It is ready to bake in the oven in approximately 20 minutes, making it the ideal option for those days when you don’t have much time to cook.
Its name comes from the vessel in which it was formerly prepared, the greixonera or tall, oval earthenware casserole dish with a lid. Nowadays, you can prepare it in a glass dish or a baking tin.
It is a typical dessert for Ibizan family celebrations and you can find it anywhere on the island. Many ovens make it in a traditional way and most restaurants add it to their dessert menu. You have no excuse not to try it!
Recipe: how to make greixonera
To make greixonera, all you need is a baking dish or mould and a series of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. These are: milk, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, lemon and ensaimadas, the star ingredient.
As we said before, it is preferable to use ensaimadas from the day before, as they soak and moisten better and, in addition, they will be more impregnated with all the flavours, especially the cinnamon.
The preparation time is usually around 20 minutes and the cooking time around 120 minutes.
For 6 people, you will need
- 4 ensaimadas
- 6 eggs
- 1 litre of milk
- 400 grams of sugar
- 2 lemons
- A cinnamon stick and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How to make the greixonera step by step
- Boil the milk with the cinnamon stick and the peel of one lemon. Strain and leave to cool.
- Caramelise 100 grams of sugar and pour over the bottom of the mould to be used.
- Crumble the ensaimadas over the caramelised sugar.
- Beat the eggs and mix with the remaining 300 grams of sugar. Add the milk and mix well.
- Pour the mixture over the ensaimadas. Add the zest of 1 lemon and the cinnamon.
- Bake for 45 minutes at 180 degrees. Leave to cool and remove from the mould.
As you can see, greixonera is an easy and quick recipe, as well as delicious. You can serve it as you like, on its own, with cream or, if you prefer, with a little ice cream. Simply great!
