Description
Mexican Sweet Buns, also called conchas, are soft sweet bread rolls topped with a crunchy sugar shell. This classic pan dulce recipe creates fluffy buns with a lightly sweet flavor and a crumbly topping perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (105–115°F)
- 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- Assorted gel food colors
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg and 2 cups of flour and mix until combined.
- Switch to a dough hook and add another cup of flour.
- Knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes until dough becomes elastic and slightly sticky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour 30 minutes until doubled.
- Beat sugar, margarine and vanilla together until fluffy for the topping.
- Mix in flour until a thick paste forms and divide into portions.
- Color each portion with gel food coloring and set aside.
- Divide risen dough into 16 pieces and shape into smooth balls.
- Place buns on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Roll topping dough and cut into 2½ inch circles.
- Score shell patterns on the topping and place on each bun.
- Allow buns to rise again for 40 minutes.
- Bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes until lightly golden.
Notes
- Avoid adding too much flour or the buns will become dense.
- If the topping becomes sticky after coloring, mix in a small amount of extra flour.
- Let the buns cool slightly before serving for the best texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 140
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 20