Conchas (Day 20 of Bread Challenge)

Concha, also known as pan dulce, is a sweet bread topped with crunchy, sweet layer. The bread itself is delicious but the topping makes it delectable!

The topping is a simple mixture of butter, sugar, and flour. In this concha recipe, I add vanilla extract for a bit of flavor as well as cocoa powder and food coloring for a visual treat!

According to Wikipedia, the name concha is mostly from the seashell appearance. After creating the topping, you can use a blade to cut shapes. While seashell is the most traditional, feel free to be creative and have some fun! Remember, the lines you cut will most likely expand so just be aware of this if you’re going to get intricate!

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This concha recipe was inspired by A Cozy Kitchen. I follow that concha recipe but changed up the process. I love to make recipes a bit simpler as long as you stick to a few guidelines. I’ll post these guidelines in the future but for now, make these conchas and enjoy!

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 tablespoons water, warm
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk (you can also use regular whole milk)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 4 cups all purpose flour

For the Topping

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• food coloring

Directions

For the Dough

1. In your stand mixer’s bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Remember not to allow the salt and yeast come in direct contact.

2. Add eggs, vanilla extract, water, and milk. Mix together until uniform throughout using the dough hook attachment.

3. Add the melted butter and oil. Knead on a medium setting for about 5 minutes.

4. Oil a large bowl and place dough inside. Cover and let proof for at least 1 hour or until doubled in size.

For the Topping

1. In your stand mixer’s bowl, mix together butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and flour. Use the paddle attachment and mix for 1 minute.

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2. Split this mixture in half. In one half, knead in the cocoa powder. In the other, knead in the food coloring.

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Assembly

1. Once the dough has risen, punch down, divide and shape into 12 rolls. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking tray.

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2. Flatten about 2 tablespoons of topping into a circle and place on a roll. Do this until all rolls are covered

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3. Using a knife, cut designs into the topping. Be creative!

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4. Let the rolls with toppings proof again for about 20 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

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5. Preheat oven to 350F. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes or until the rolls turn a nice golden brown color.

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6. Remove from oven. Let cool and enjoy!

Video

https://youtu.be/mHcjH5tAjg4

Recipe