Best 4 Mexican Conchas Recipes

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Mexican conchas are a traditional sweet bread originating in Mexico, known for their unique seashell-shaped appearance and delightful flavor. These delectable treats have a soft and fluffy interior, a crispy sugar shell, and a colorful topping resembling the shape of a seashell. Whether as a breakfast staple, dessert, or even a representation of Mexican culture, this article explores the best recipes for cooking authentic and delicious Mexican conchas, providing bakers with the necessary instructions, tips, and secrets to create perfect conchas that will surely impress family and friends.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CONCHAS (MEXICAN SWEET BREAD)



Conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread) image

I got this recipe from my friends mom who owns a Mexican Bakery. When they made these one day for my family they loved them - even my brother who is sooo picky. Now they ask for them all the time. Although they are a little time consuming it is well worth it at the end!

Provided by MelissaAmador

Categories     100+ Breakfast and Brunch Recipes     Breakfast Bread Recipes

Time 2h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 ½ teaspoons yeast
½ cup warm water
½ cup evaporated milk
⅜ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, stir together the yeast and warm water. Mix in the milk, 3/8 cup sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, salt, egg and half of the flour. Gradually mix in the remaining flour, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Turn the dough out onto a floured counter to knead as soon as it pulls together enough.
  • Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a large greased bowl, and turn the dough to coat. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Make the topping while the dough rises. In a medium bowl, beat 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour until the mixture is the consistency of thick paste. Divide into two parts, and place one part in a separate bowl. Mix cinnamon into one half, and vanilla into the other half.
  • When the dough is done rising, cut into 12 even-sized pieces. Shape into balls, and place on a greased cookie sheet, spacing about 3 inches apart. Divide each bowl of topping into 6 balls, and pat flat. Place circles of topping on top of the dough balls patting down lightly. Use a knife to cut grooves in the topping like a clam shell. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 394.5 calories, Carbohydrate 58.9 g, Cholesterol 52.4 mg, Fat 14.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 303.1 mg, Sugar 18.6 g

CONCHAS (MEXICAN SWEET-TOPPED BUNS)



Conchas (Mexican Sweet-Topped Buns) image

Make and share this Conchas (Mexican Sweet-Topped Buns) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Karen From Colorado

Categories     Breads

Time 3h20m

Yield 12 Conchas

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 degrees F to 115 degrees F or 40 to 46 celsius)
1/2 cup lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2-4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl.
  • Stir in milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg and 2 cups of the flour.
  • Beat until smooth.
  • Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
  • Turn onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
  • Place in a large greased bowl, then turn greased side up.
  • Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • The dough is ready if it leaves an indentation when touched.
  • Meanwhile, prepare Flavored Topping Dough.
  • Punch dough down; divide into 12 equal pieces.
  • Shape each piece into a ball; place on greased cookie sheet.
  • Flavored Topping Dough.
  • Beat sugar and margarine until light and fluffy.
  • Stir in flour until mixture is the consistency of thick paste.
  • Divide into 3 equal parts.
  • Stir cinnamon into one part, vanilla extract into one part and orange peel into one part.
  • Divide each part of dough into 4 equal pieces.
  • Pat each piece into a 3-inch circle.
  • Place 1 circle of Topping Dough on each ball of dough, shaping it down over the ball.
  • Make 5 or 6 cuts across the topping, using a table knife, to form a shell pattern.
  • Cover and let rise until double - about 40 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 celsius).
  • Bake buns until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.4, Fat 10.2, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 40.6, Sodium 285.2, Carbohydrate 44.1, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 11.2, Protein 5.7

MEXICAN CONCHAS



Mexican Conchas image

We love these! Light and airy, these little guys bring together the best of both cookies and pastry. Perfect with a cup of steaming coffee.

Provided by Karina Alcala

Categories     Other Breakfast

Time 2h50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 tsp dry active yeast
1/2 c warm water (about 105 degrees f.)
1/2 c whole milk warm same temp as water.
5 Tbsp butter room temp
1 Tbsp vegetable shortening
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
4 c flour
1/3 c sugar
TOPPING
4 Tbsp butter room temp
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
food coloring (optional)

Steps:

  • 1. In warm water dissolve yeast with 2 tbsp of sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes until it foams up. In food processor or mixer or by hand cream reminder of sugar, egg,butter and shortening. Add in flour, salt and cinnamon. Add warm milk and yeast mixture. Combine until a ball of dough forms. All this can be done by hand as well. Knead dough until an elastic ball forms about 5 minutes. Oil a large bowl with veg. oil and place dough in bowl cover with plastic wrap and put in warm place for 45 minutes to an hour until dough doubles in size.
  • 2. In a bowl mix ingredients for topping. add Butter, sugar, flour, vanilla extract and cinnamon if you want to. You can add food coloring or cocoa powder what ever you desire. For a paste and set aside. After an hour punch your dough down and form fifteen balls about the same size. Should be about the size of a base ball. Put balls on greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart because they have to rise again. Before they rise put topping on top. How you do it is divide topping into 15 small balls. Put a ball in your hand and squeeze with both your palms until it forms a small tortilla. Press down on top of dough balls this will give the conchas its shape. Repeat until you have done this 15 times. To make the design use a toothpick and do any design you want. Let the dough rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour in warm place covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap until they double in size.
  • 3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. place cookie sheets in the middle rack of. Make sure to be gentle so you don't deflate the dough when you put them in. Cook for 20 minutes take them out and let them cool. Enjoy them with coffee, milk, tea or hot chocolate. What ever you don't eat just keep covered with plastic wrap or in an air tight container but they are so good you might not have any left.

CONCHAS (MEXICAN MORNING BUNS)



Conchas (Mexican Morning Buns) image

Conchas, the faintly sweet buns that are made fresh every morning at bakeries in Mexico, are perfect with hot, milky coffee. Their name, meaning "shells," comes from the pretty, sugary scalloped topping that covers each bun. The chef Gabriela Cámara, of Contramar in Mexico City, says that cooks in Mexico rarely bake conchas at home, but she developed a recipe out of necessity when cooking at Cala, her restaurant in San Francisco. At lunchtime, she splits leftover conchas to make sandwiches, which she says are especially good with spicy fillings.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories     breakfast, lunch, snack, breads, pastries

Time 3h15m

Yield 12 buns

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package)
1/2 cup/120 milliliters warm water
1/2 cup/120 milliliters warm milk
1 teaspoon plus 1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar
1/2 cup/110 grams unsalted butter, softened at room temperature, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 eggs, at room temperature
4 cups/500 grams all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/3 cup/40 grams confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup/30 grams all-purpose flour
1/4 cup/30 grams almond flour
1/4 cup/55 grams cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

Steps:

  • Make the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine yeast, water and milk. Add 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and let sit until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the butter, salt, eggs and flour. Mix on medium speed until the dough forms a smooth, elastic ball that pulls away from the bowl. It should be just a little bit sticky, not completely dry like bread dough. Use your hands to lightly coat the dough ball with the oil, then return it to the bowl. Cover with a dish towel and set aside to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 hours.
  • When the dough has risen, butter two baking sheets. Punch the dough down lightly and use a knife or bench scraper to divide it into 12 balls (75 to 80 grams each). Arrange on the buttered baking sheets.
  • Make the topping: Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl and use your fingers to mix and rub together until the mixture has the consistency of cookie dough. Divide the topping into 12 balls (each one will be about 13 grams, if you want to be exact about it). One by one, use your fingers to press and pinch each ball into a thin circle about 3 inches across. (You could also do this on a work surface, placing the ball between two pieces of parchment paper).
  • Drape a flattened topping circle over the top of each bun, completely covering it. Lightly press any loose edges into the sides of the bun, making a snug coat on top.
  • To make a shell pattern, use a sharp knife to slash parallel lines in the topping over the top of each bun - or you could make a spiral pattern, or score the tops in a criss-cross diamond pattern. Cover with a dish towel and set aside in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake buns until lightly browned on the tops and sides, about 20 minutes, rotating the pans after 10 minutes.
  • Serve warm, or let cool and store overnight in an airtight container. Reheat gently or serve at room temperature.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, ensure all your ingredients are measured and prepped. This will make the baking process smoother and more efficient.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will significantly impact the flavor and texture of your conchas. Opt for fresh eggs, butter, milk, and citrus zest.
  • Proof the Dough Properly: Proofing the dough allows it to rise and develop flavor. Follow the recipe's instructions carefully and ensure the dough has doubled in size before shaping it.
  • Shape the Conchas Carefully: When shaping the conchas, handle the dough gently to avoid deflating it. Use a light touch when making the ridges and the signature seashell design.
  • Egg Wash and Topping: Before baking, brush the conchas with an egg wash to give them a golden brown sheen. Sprinkle the topping of your choice, such as granulated sugar, cinnamon sugar, or colored sugar, before baking.
  • Baking Temperature: Bake the conchas at the specified temperature in the recipe. Ovens vary, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or undercook.

Conclusion:

Conchas are a delicious and visually appealing Mexican pastry that is a treat to both the eyes and the taste buds. Baking conchas from scratch may seem intimidating, but with careful preparation, attention to detail, and the right ingredients, you can create these delightful pastries at home. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or for a special occasion, conchas are sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

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