During my time as a Language Assistant in Spain, specifically Madrid, I found hidden cookies sold by nuns from their monastery. These cookies are delicious, but the best part about buying these cookies is the experience. The monastery is located on Plaza del Conde de Miranda between Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real de Madrid. It is just a short walk from a few major landmarks but hidden on a low-trafficked side street. Just around the corner from the monastery is where I enjoyed the cookies, in Plaza de la Villa, the oldest plaza in Madrid.
To buy these delicious hidden cookies, go to the Monasterio del Corpus Christi and look for the small sign on the large wooden doors that reads “Venta de dulces.” A few of the various cookies sold are pictured on the sign, but there are no instructions on how or where to buy these cookies. To enter, you must buzz the button that says “Monjas” and ask if they have the cookies (“Tienes dulces hoy?”).
A Language Assistant in Spain on a Misson
Once inside, you walk through a beautiful corridor and small courtyard following the signs to the area where the cookies are sold. You may also encounter other tourists who are looking to buy these cookies. At the end of the hallway is a turnstile lazy susan where you will place your cookie order. These cookies are sold by ½ kg or one kg in 8 flavors. A half-kilogram is about two dozen cookies depending on the flavor you choose. The menu is in Spanish and English to assist you while ordering. When you order, you won’t see the nuns but instead will speak through the turnstile. They will be listening closely and respond. You then place the cash on the lazy susan and spin it around to the nuns. They will then turn the lazy susan back with your cookies and any change.
Cookie Flavors Include:
- Naranjines – Orange-flavored biscuits
- Pastas de té – Tea biscuits
- Pastas de almendra – Almond biscuits
- Sequillos – Dry biscuits
- Nevaditos (My favorites) – Sugary shortbread biscuits
- Mantecados de Jerez – Sherry shortbread biscuits
- Mantecados de yema – Egg yolk shortbread biscuits
- Galletas – lemon-flavored biscuits
A ½ kg costs 12 or 13 Euros depending on the flavor and a kg costs 24 or 26 Euros. Remember that the nuns only accept cash. These cookies and the special experience are only available from 9:30-13:00 and 16:30-18:15, so plan your trip accordingly!
Helpful phrases when ordering cookies:
- ¿Tienes dulces hoy? – Do you have sweets today?
- Un medio kilo de [cookie flavor], por favor. – A half kilo of [cookie flavor], please.
- Un kilo de [cookie flavor], por favor. – A kilo of [cookie flavore], please.
- ¡Gracias! – Thank you!
Finding hidden spots such as the one I discovered has improved my time as a Language Assistant in Spain!
