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    Home > Sweet Bread

    Published: Jan 25, 2021 · Modified: Feb 18, 2023 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Conchas - A Mexican Sweet Bread

    Five Mexican sweet rolls, Conchas with different toppings.

    Conchas are a not overly sweet roll often served at breakfast with coffee or hot chocolate in Mexico. While I will admit I haven’t thought of Mexico terms of sweet bakery items, these sweet rolls definitely made me rethink.  Also known as Pan Dulce and Sweet Bread this buttery yeast dough is flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and anise.

    Named for the sea shell, Conchas have a decorative finish that is easy to make although it looks challenging and what is even more special, the finish can be as colorful as Mexican tiles or left white.

    When I researched this recipe, I found a reference to anise, one of my favorite flavors.  So, in addition to cinnamon and vanilla, I added anise for an unusual flavor combination that dances in your mouth.

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    Baking gets better when you subscribe

    Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

    The recipe for Conchas couldn’t be easier or more straight forward. Mix the wet ingredients, mix the dry ingredients and combine them.  That’s it.

    I’m always excited to find a new recipe, new flavors or something I didn’t know about.  I hope you will be as happy as I am to have found these.

    Thank you Mexico!

    Ingredients for Conchas

    Conchas

    4 cups all-purpose flour (560 grams or 19 ⅔ ounces)
    1 ¾ teaspoon instant yeast*
    2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    ½ cup melted butter (114 grams, 4 ounces or 1 stick)
    ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams or 3 ½ ounces)
    1 cup milk
    2 large eggs
    1 teaspoon salt
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1 teaspoon anise extract, optional

    Liquid ingredients
    Liquid ingredients for Conchas whisked

    Fit the mixer with a dough hook if available.  Combine the butter, sugar, milk, eggs, salt, vanilla, and anise extracts in the bowl of the mixer.  Whisk to break up the eggs.

    Flour in

    Add the flour all at once, beating on lowest setting until combined.  Raise the speed slightly and beat for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough is smooth and soft.

    In container
    Covered with plastic wrap
    Concha marked with time

    Spray a container at least twice the size of the dough with a non-stick baking release.  Place the dough in the container and cover. I place plastic wrap directly on top and then cover with a towel or lid. Mark the time and let rise for an hour or so until doubled.

    Because this dough is heavy in butter, sugar and eggs it can be a slow riser, especially if the room is cool.  I put mine in the oven with the light turned on to ensure a warm environment.

    After it has risen, you can continue or deflate the dough and refrigerate overnight.  The dough may or may not rise again but it doesn’t matter either way.  I find rich doughs much easier to shape if they are cold.

    Divide the dough into 12 pieces about 90 grams or 3 ounces each.  Shape into rounds, placing the on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

    Topping for the Conchas

    ½ cup butter, softened (114 grams, 4 ounces or 1 stick)
    ⅔ cup granulated sugar (135 grams or 4 ¾ ounces)
    1 cup all-purpose flour (140 grams or 5 ounces)
    1 teaspoon vanilla

    Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a mixer and beat until smooth.

    Assembly

    Shaped Rolls
    Topping, above
    Cocoa, optional
    Gel Food Coloring as needed, optional
    1 egg white,  opitonal
    Sanding sugar, optional

    Divide the topping into 2 or more portions if coloring.  Color each piece using cocoa for brown.  Use gel food coloring of your choice.   Knead the coloring into each piece of dough.

    Using a #40 disher/scooper portion out 12 balls for the topping.  Alternatively use 2 tablespoons of dough per roll.  Flatten one piece into a thin round between the palms of your hands.  If it isn't large enough to cover the roll, put it on the work surface and flatten it with your fingers.  Drape it over the roll. Pat it lightly in place.

    With a knife, cut grooves in the topping in the shape of a clam shell or any other design you like.

    Cover and let rise until almost doubled.

    If using the sanding sugar, beat the egg white until foamy. Very lightly brush onto the decoration and immediately cover with sanding sugar.

    In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350°F.  Double Pan and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until lightly golden brown.  Cool.

    Alternative decoration:  If you don't feel like making the topping, brush the rolls with beaten egg white after they have risen and sprinkle heavily with sanding sugar or Swedish Pearl sugar.  Bake as directed.

    Yield:  12 Conchas

    Storage:  Best eaten the same day, these can be held at room temperature for a day

    Note:  I would like to thank Adrianna of A Cozy Kitchen whose recipe I adapted.  I think my decorations cracked more than they should have because I took the topping all the way to the very bottom of the rolls.  My suggestion is to keep them about ¼ to ⅓ inch above the bottom of the roll.

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    1. elodia de garay Cruz says

      January 29, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      Hi I am Gluten Free not by choice, lol, do you think I can do this recipe with the King Arthur GF flour?

      Reply
    2. Susan says

      January 27, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      Hi Helen. I spent 8 years living in Mexico as a child and lately I have been toying with the idea of making conchas. Getting your recipe in my inbox the other day confirmed that I should definitely give them a try! The ones I had in Mexico were always dry and flavorless, I wanted to see if fresh ones would be better. Oh my goodness, they don't even compare. The flavor and texture of these is divine! Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I did have an issue with the topping sliding off, any idea why that could have happened? I left about an 1/4 inch gap around the bottom edge. Susan

      Reply
    3. Lynette Pruett says

      January 25, 2021 at 8:19 am

      Helen, I’m delighted to see this recipe on your site! I grew up northwest of San Antonio, Texas, and occasionally my father would go to the downtown market there, and bring home a bag of Pan Dulce. The shape was not decorated as a shell, but just a plain rectangle. I’ve made many different recipes over the years, trying to duplicate the flavor, but so far haven’t succeeded. I’m anxious to try your version! The ones we had were only flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.

      I may never be successful in duplicating the flavor I remember, because I realize it may be a memory I’m trying to recapture rather than the actual food. In any case, I’ve enjoyed some slightly sweet breakfast breads along the way! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        January 25, 2021 at 9:47 am

        Hi Lynette, I agree with you about food memories. So often they are associated with good times or people in the past. I hope these serve those memories well.

        Reply
      • hfletcher says

        January 25, 2021 at 9:50 am

        Hi Lynette - I agree with you about past memories of food. So often we associate them with fond memories of good times or people. But I wouldn't trade them.

        Reply

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