Josefa Maraminillo, an Afro-Peruvian slave from the Cañete Valley, known as Doña Pepa, suffered badly from paralysis and ventured to Lima to pray to El Señor de los Milagros, an image of Christ, and asked him to cure her. Soon after, she felt better and no longer suffered pains in her arms and legs. In a dream, saints appeared to her and gave her the recipe so she could give back. The next day, she walked through the crowds at Las Nazarenas and began to hand out this layered anise-flavored nougat drizzled with chancaca syrup and topped with sprinkles and candy. Every October thereafter, she would come to Lima and do the same, a tradition that has continued at this bakery near the church.

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