Conchas

Name: Conchas
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 3 tsp instant yeast; 1 cup warm milk; 2 eggs; 4 oz butter, softened; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping); 4 oz butter (for topping); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping); 1 egg (for egg wash), beaten

Sweet Mexican pan dulce with a distinctive shell-shaped crust. Soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, these are iconic Mexican breakfast treats.

50 minMediumServes 12240 cal/serving

MexicanBreakfastOvenStandard

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Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp instant yeast
1 cup warm milk
2 eggs
4 oz butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
4 oz butter (for topping)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1 egg (for egg wash), beaten

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3 tsp instant yeast.
2

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup warm milk, 2 eggs, 4 oz softened butter, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
3

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
5

Preheat oven to 375°F. Divide dough into 12 portions and shape into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6

For the topping, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping), 4 oz butter (for topping), and 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping) until crumbly. Divide into 12 portions.
7

Flatten each portion of topping into an oval shape. Press gently onto each dough ball, creating the characteristic shell pattern by scoring lines with a knife.
8

Brush lightly with 1 beaten egg (for egg wash). Let rest 20 minutes.
9

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm or at room temperature.

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Questions

How long does Conchas take?

As written, 50 minutes: 30 of prep and 20 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 4, 1 hour. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What oven temperature does Conchas need?

For Conchas, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 5. The longest stretch at that heat is 20 minutes, in step 9.

What can I use instead of yeast in Conchas?

The entry for Conchas calls for 3 tsp instant yeast. In its place: Instant and active dry yeast swap measure for measure. Active dry wants five minutes in warm liquid first, while instant goes straight into the flour.

Can I make Conchas gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Conchas is 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour (for topping). Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Conchas contain eggs?

Yes: 2 eggs and 1 egg (for egg wash), beaten. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Which part of Conchas can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 4. Step 4 is a built-in pause of 1 hour: "Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 5 when you are ready to finish.

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