'Braç de gitano' chosen as Catalonia's most iconic dessert 

Forget crema catalana, the 'braç de gitano' has been chosen as Catalonia's most iconic dessert.  

To celebrate Catalonia holding the distinction of World Region of Gastronomy 2025, the pastry guilds of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona have selected this traditional cake which "perfectly symbolizes" Catalonia's "great pastry heritage," according to Miquel A. Zaguirre, president of the Barcelona Pastry Guild. 

Although known in English as a Swiss roll, the 'braç de gitano' is a Catalan classic too – found in cake shops throughout Catalonia, with a history stretching back at least 100 years.  

The tradition of buying a 'braç de gitano' on Sundays or for any celebration is deeply rooted in popular culture. 

Fresh take on a classic cake 

"We chose to make a 'braç de gitano' as it's really typical in Catalan culture, a really popular cake," Lluïsa Estrada tells Catalan News. 

Estrada is a teacher at Barcelona Guild Pastry School and the pastry chef behind the creation of Catalonia's official 2025 version of the 'braç de gitano,' unveiled on Thursday at the school. 

It's been "updated a little bit," Estrada says. "We wanted to keep the taste of the traditional 'braç de gitano' but change a little how it's made." 

The essential ingredients are the same: flour, milk, eggs and sugar. "A cake is rolled with cream inside. It also has a layer of egg yolk, which has been burned with sugar to give a caramelized texture and flavor," Estrada explains. 

"We've applied diplomat cream, which gives it a more modern touch. It's a lot fluffier, but it keeps the original look." 

In any case, classic or modern, it's "one of her favorite desserts," Estrada says. "I love anything with pastry cream." 

'Gypsy's arm' 

'Braç de gitano' literally translates to 'gypsy's arm,' and members of the Roma community were invited to the presentation event by the pastry guilds. 

Paqui Perona, from Veus Gitanes, an association of women from the Roma community, described the persecution they have faced over the centuries. 

"The word 'gypsy,'" she said, "has had negative associations, but now our contribution to the country's culture is valued." 

Perona recounted various theories behind the name of the dessert, including one that says Roma blacksmiths who sold and repaired utensils at pastry shops in Barcelona were given sponge cake, which they filled with cream, rolled up, and carried under their arms. 

Throughout 2025, participating Catalan pastry shops will showcase various versions of the 'braç de gitano.' 

The initiative has the backing of Veus Gitanes, which supports acknowledging the connection between the Roma community and the name and origin of Catalonia's most iconic dessert for 2025.