THE 5 MOST POPULAR GUANAJUATO SWEETS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical sweets of Guanajuato are, generally, versions of recipes from other regions to which a distinctive touch is added. This phenomenon has been a common factor in Guanajuato gastronomy.

Their dishes have a strong influence from neighboring states. But also, historically they have known how to merge the culinary culture and ingredients of the Spanish with local products and techniques.

Tumbagones

On the other hand, although it is true that some of their typical dishes are widely known, many families have guarded many of their old recipes with suspicion.

In some way, this has contributed to the little diffusion of the gastronomy of Guanajuato.

Tradition and history of 5 typical sweets of Guanajuato

Tumbagones de San Miguel

The history of this Guanajuato dessert begins in 1542. At that time, the founders of San Miguel de Allende, Fray Juan de San Miguel and Fray Bernardo de Cosín, brought with them this dessert of French origin.

Its name is due to its similarity to the tumbagas. These were a very fragile gold and copper metal band that was worn as a jewel on the fingers. Friars and priests used them as a symbol of their fidelity to God.

This has become one of the most appreciated typical sweets of Guanajuato. In its classic version, the ingredients used are wheat pasta, sour orange, anise, cinnamon and icing sugar.

Snow of Dolores

Another of the most famous typical sweets of Guanajuato are the snows of Dolores. It is believed that the history of sorbets in Mexico dates back to pre-Hispanic times.

In this sense, its introduction is attributed to the culture of the Teotihuacanos. Thus, snow was collected from the tops of volcanoes and buried in wells that provided insulation.

Today, ice cream and sorbet production is primarily a lifelong craft, the recipes and formulas of which are passed on orally from generation to generation.

As for sorbets, specifically, the Dolores Hidalgo municipality in Guanajuato is distinguished by the exotic flavors of its snows (sorbets).

You can taste shrimp cocktail ice creams, chicharrón (fried pork skin), stuffed chilies or black beans, among others.

Charamuscas

Charamuscas are another of the typical sweets of Guanajuato with history. This sweet is made using piloncillo (brown sugar) and butter as base ingredients.

Its true origin is unknown and as is often the case with other dishes, several states dispute its authorship.

However, it is in Guanajuato where they are famous for being modeled after mummies and skulls. These are a tourist attraction, especially around the Museum of the Mummies in the capital city.

Caramel jelly

This sweet is prepared with cajeta, milk, unflavored gelatin and cinnamon (optional). In general, many Mexican desserts use cajeta as a basic ingredient.

Cajeta is the typical dulce de leche in this country. However, this is not exclusive to the Aztec nation, since many Latin American countries do the same.

Now, although they are basically the same ingredients, it is the way of preparing each dulce de leche that makes the difference.

Cajeta de Celaya

In Mexico, the name cajeta is due to the fact that dulce de leche used to be packed in wooden boxes.

As for its preparation, cow and goat milk are combined. In addition, it has sugar and vanilla. Some people add liquor to it, or caramelize it.

Well, the cajeta from Celaya is one of the most coveted typical sweets of Guanajuato. Its origins date back to colonial times.

In this region, milk is prepared by simmering milk in copper pots and adding sugar and carbonate.

References

1. Hernandez Aguado, J. (2002). Guanajuato protagonists. Texas: University of Texas.
2. Méndez, E. (s / f). Guanajuato, much more than strawberries and cajeta. In flavors of Mexico and the World. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from lossaboresdemexico.com.
3. Tumbagón. (2014, October 10). In Mexico, Food and Travel. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from foodandtravel.mx.
4. Gerson, F. (2017). Mexican Ice Cream: Beloved Recipes and Stories. California: TenSpeed.
5. Chilián, J. (2016, February 26). The charamuscas, typical sweets of Guanajuato

   Recovered on November 6, 2017, from rutamxo.com.

6. Difference between cajeta and arequipe. (s / f). In Delirious Kitchen. Retrieved on November 6, 2017, from cocinadelirante.com.
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