Garibaldis (Apricot & Chocolate Sprinkle Buns)

History & Origin

Garibaldis are one of the most emblematic pieces of Mexican bakery, created by Pastelería El Globo in Mexico City in 1923. Their name pays tribute to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian hero of unification, whose monument stands in the plaza of the same name in Colonia Juárez. Pastelería El Globo, founded in 1884 by Italian immigrants, fused European techniques with Mexican ingredients to create this unique bread. The garibaldi consists of a soft sponge cake covered generously with apricot jam and sprinkled with chocolate nonpareils that give it its distinctive appearance. Over more than a century, the garibaldi has become an obligatory item in any self-respecting Mexican bakery. It is commonly seen on bakery trays alongside conchas, cuernos and orejas. The original recipe has remained practically unchanged, being a perfect example of the Italo-Mexican gastronomic heritage that enriched the country's pastry-making during the Porfiriato era.