Antequera is already preparing for Christmas as its traditional sweet factories produce millions of festive treats

Christmas 2026 is already underway in Antequera, even though December is still several weeks away. In the bakeries and confectionery factories of this historic Málaga town, ovens have been running since the summer to produce one of the region's most recognisable culinary traditions: mantecados and polvorones, the Spanish Christmas sweets enjoyed in thousands of homes during the festive season.

Production began in August at some of the town's best-known manufacturers, including Delicias de Antequera and La Antequerana, which have been working at full capacity since late September to meet Christmas demand.

Their output extends beyond traditional sweets. Alongside classic cinnamon mantecados and almond polvorones, producers are expanding their ranges with new flavours, products suited to different dietary preferences and gift-ready packaging.

This activity makes Antequera one of Andalusia's leading centres for Christmas confectionery, highlighting the continued importance of an industry deeply connected to the town's history and identity.

Antequera's Christmas sweet factories begin production in August

For manufacturers of traditional Christmas confectionery, the festive calendar starts much earlier than it does for shoppers.

While Antequera was still celebrating its summer festivities, some companies had already started producing the sweets that would appear on Christmas tables in December.

Delicias de Antequera began production on August 10, while La Antequerana started a few days before the town's August Fair.

The aim is to produce sufficient quantities to meet orders from distributors, retailers and individual customers, both locally and across Spain.

As December approaches, production and distribution intensify. Since late September, the factories have been operating at a particularly busy pace to ensure enough stock is available during the peak shopping period.

This planning allows Christmas sweets to reach shops well before the festive celebrations begin, reflecting the growing tendency among consumers to purchase seasonal products early.

Antequera expects to produce almost 6.8 million kilos of Christmas sweets in 2026

The importance of Antequera's Christmas confectionery industry goes far beyond its culinary heritage.

According to forecasts published by local newspaper El Sol de Antequera for the 2026 season, manufacturers expect combined production to reach approximately 6.79 million kilograms of Christmas sweets, around 279,000 kilograms more than the previous year.

The industry is expected to support approximately 401 people involved in producing these products, according to estimates reported by the newspaper.

Companies operating in the sector include Sancho Melero, Delicias de Antequera, La Antequerana, Artesanías de Antequera, Torcadul and several smaller family-run and convent bakeries.

Production ranges from large-scale manufacturers with extensive distribution networks to smaller businesses that continue to use traditional preparation methods.

Delicias de Antequera expects to produce around 700,000 kilos of sweets

One of the companies preparing for a busy season is Delicias de Antequera, which expects to produce approximately 700,000 kilograms of Christmas confectionery.

The company specialises in mantecados, polvorones and other traditional sweets, maintaining a range that combines established recipes with different flavours and presentations.

One of its most important products is the premium almond polvorón, which accounts for more than half of its production, according to information provided by the company.

Its dark chocolate-coated and white chocolate-coated varieties are also popular options for customers looking for something different from traditional polvorones.

La Antequerana preserves a recipe dating back to 1888

For La Antequerana, tradition remains one of the defining features of its product range.

Its signature sweet is the double cinnamon mantecado, made using a recipe that the company has preserved since 1888.

More than a century later, it remains one of the brand's best-selling products and a familiar part of its Christmas collection.

The range also includes pistachio and pine nut polvorones, alongside handmade puff pastry specialities.

Although the company has not disclosed a specific production figure for this year's campaign, it continues manufacturing to supply its shops and distribution outlets.

From traditional mantecados to new Christmas flavours

The preparation of mantecados and polvorones is closely associated with recipes handed down through generations.

Ingredients such as toasted flour, sugar, cinnamon and almonds feature in many varieties, although recipes differ according to the type of sweet.

Traditional mantecados often contain pork lard, while other versions use olive oil or plant-based fats.

The preparation process and treatment of the ingredients play an important role in determining the final texture and flavour.

However, manufacturers are not simply reproducing old recipes. New varieties allow them to broaden their ranges and attract customers with different preferences.

Málaga sweet wine mantecados combine two regional traditions

Among Delicias de Antequera's specialities is the Málaga sweet wine mantecado, a product incorporating one of the province's best-known winemaking traditions.

This variety combines the familiar flavour of traditional mantecados with the distinctive notes of sweet wine, creating an alternative to conventional cinnamon or almond recipes.

Although it is being highlighted in the current Christmas range, it is not a product launched exclusively for 2026: the company was already selling this speciality during Christmas 2025.

The catalogue also includes a premium alfajor, a traditional Spanish confection, and other products aimed at customers seeking more elaborate Christmas treats.

Pistachio, pine nut and chocolate polvorones

Nuts continue to play an important role in the evolution of these traditional sweets.

Alongside classic almond recipes, manufacturers offer varieties made with pistachios, pine nuts, hazelnuts and other ingredients.

Chocolate has also become increasingly prominent, particularly in polvorones coated with dark or white chocolate.

These combinations introduce different textures and flavours while retaining the traditional foundations of Antequera's festive confectionery.

Vegan mantecados gain popularity in Antequera

One of the most interesting developments in recent years has been the introduction of products designed for people following a vegan diet.

La Antequerana is continuing to offer its vegan Christmas selection, previously introduced with V-Label certification, an international mark identifying products that meet specified plant-based requirements.

The selection includes different traditional sweets made without animal-derived ingredients.

Among them are nut-based polvorones, mantecados prepared with extra virgin olive oil and other recipes using plant-based ingredients instead of animal fats.

The company explains that some of its products already met the requirements for vegan classification before obtaining certification.

The aim is to offer alternatives that people with different dietary preferences can enjoy together without giving up traditional Christmas flavours.

Delicias de Antequera also sells olive oil-based products, including varieties that the company identifies as suitable for vegan consumers.

However, anyone with allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements should always check individual product labels, particularly because nuts and other allergens are frequently used in these sweets.

Advent calendars and decorative tins: new ways to gift traditional Christmas sweets

Innovation is also reflected in how manufacturers present and package their products.

Alongside traditional boxes and mixed selections, some brands now offer formats designed specifically for Christmas gifts.

Delicias de Antequera sells an Advent calendar containing different specialities to enjoy during the countdown to Christmas.

Meanwhile, La Antequerana offers a commemorative tin celebrating its 135th anniversary, decorated with a historic photograph of Antequera.

These products help broaden the appeal of mantecados beyond the traditional trays of sweets served after Christmas family meals.

They can also be given as gifts, kept as souvenirs of the town or sent to friends and relatives living elsewhere.

Buying Antequera mantecados online: a Christmas tradition reaching beyond Málaga

Online shopping has become an important sales channel for manufacturers of traditional Christmas sweets.

Companies such as Delicias de Antequera and La Antequerana have digital sales channels, allowing customers to place orders without visiting their bakeries or physical shops.

This makes their products accessible to consumers in other Spanish provinces and to people living abroad.

Manufacturers also ship to different European countries, extending the reach of a culinary tradition closely associated with Antequera.

For many former residents of the town, receiving a box of these sweets at Christmas is a way of reconnecting with the flavours of home.

Online ordering also allows customers to organise their Christmas shopping and gifts before the busiest weeks of the season.

Customers can browse products from Delicias de Antequera through its online shop and explore La Antequerana's products through the Grupo San Roque commercial channels.

Mantecados are an essential part of Antequera's culinary identity

The Christmas confectionery industry is one of Antequera's most recognisable food traditions.

Its importance lies not only in the quantities produced but also in the continued existence of family-run bakeries, historic recipes and preparation techniques passed down through generations.

Mantecados and polvorones are joined by other local specialities, including wine-flavoured biscuits, alfajores and traditional convent confectionery.

This variety helps Antequera maintain a distinctive Christmas food offering that appeals to both regular customers and visitors interested in regional gastronomy.

During autumn, factory activity also becomes an important part of the town's economy, employing people involved in production, packaging, distribution and sales.

The 2026 campaign reflects that balance between continuity and innovation: historic products remain central to the industry, while manufacturers introduce new flavours, ingredients and packaging adapted to changing customer preferences.

Christmas in Antequera begins long before December

Although the calendar still says November, Antequera's Christmas production season is already well underway.

Factories have been operating since August to prepare sweets that will reach shops and homes across Spain and beyond over the coming weeks.

La Antequerana's double cinnamon mantecado and Delicias de Antequera's almond polvorón remain symbols of a tradition now complemented by pistachio varieties, vegan options and Málaga sweet wine specialities.

With combined production forecast to reach almost 6.8 million kilograms, Antequera is preparing for another Christmas season in which mantecados and polvorones remain central to its culinary heritage and one of Andalusia's most recognisable festive traditions.