Ingredients

3 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
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
Conchas (Mexican Sweet-Topped Buns) are a popular breakfast food in Mexico. They resemble sea shells and have a signature topping that is a blend of flour, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and orange zest. Although these buns contain more calories and sugar than plain bread, they are soft, delicious, and perfect for satisfying any sweet cravings. You can make these for breakfast, snacks or serve them with hot chocolate for a festive atmosphere.

Instructions

1.In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2.In a large bowl, mix the scalded milk, 1/3 cup of sugar, softened butter, salt, and egg together.
3.Beat in 2 cups of flour until smooth. Mix in the yeast mixture and the remaining flour to make a soft dough.
4.Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, usually taking about 5 minutes.
5.Place dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place until double, usually taking about 1 hour.
6.Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheets or line with silicone mats.
7.Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and shape them into balls. Place them onto the prepared cookie sheet.
8.In a medium bowl, mix 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and orange zest together. Cut butter into the mixture until crumbly.
9.Roll each ball of dough into a 4 inch circle and top each with some of the topping mixture.
10.Using a sharp knife, cut 5 or 6 shallow slashes in the topping mixture, creating a shell-like pattern.
11.Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and serve.

PROS

Conchas are soft, flavorful, and visually appealing sweet-topped buns.

This dish is tasty and traditionally enjoyed as a sweet breakfast or snack.

The toppings can be customized to your preference.

CONS

The recipe can be time-consuming, requiring more than an hour for preparation and cooking.

Be careful to not over-knead the dough as this can make the Conchas dense rather than light and fluffy.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Conchas contain valuable nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
The orange zest used in this recipe is a good source of Vitamin C and fiber that can improve digestion. However, the dish is high in sugar and calories, so consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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