Conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread)

4.5
(254)
211 Reviews
106 Photos

Conchas are Mexican sweetened bread rolls with a crunchy topping. Always a crowd favorite! I got this recipe from my friend's mom, who owns a Mexican bakery. They made these one day for my family, and they loved them — even my brother, who is so picky. Now they ask for them all the time. Although these are a bit time-consuming, they're well worth it in the end!

Submitted by MelissaAmador
Updated on September 15, 2023
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself.
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Looking down at a bunch of golden-brown Conchas on a tray.
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
12 conchas
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this irresistibly soft conchas recipe. 

What Are Conchas? 

Conchas are traditional Mexican sweet bread rolls (a.k.a. pan dulce). Its name comes from the roll’s seashell-like appearance. Conchas consist of a sweet bread base and crunchy sugar topping. 

How to Make Conchas

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Conchas Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade conchas recipe: 

  • For the bread: warm water, yeast, all-purpose flour, evaporated milk, white sugar, melted butter, an egg, salt, and ground cinnamon
  • For the topping: white sugar, softened butter, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract

How to Make Mexican Sweet Bread

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make Mexican sweet bread at home: 

  1. Activate the yeast. 
  2. Make the dough, then turn it out on a floured surface and knead until it’s elastic. 
  3. Let the dough rise in an oiled, covered bowl. 
  4. Make the topping. Flavor half of the topping with cinnamon and the other half with vanilla. 
  5. Roll the dough into balls and pat the topping onto each one. 
  6. Cut grooves into the topping, then let rise again. 
  7. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown.

How to Store Conchas

Store the conchas in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“These turned out so tasty,” raves patapower. “I’m looking forward to making them more often so that I can play around with the recipe. I totally impressed myself.”

“They smelled wonderful as they were baking,” according to LNELONG. “My family absolutely loved them. The cinnamon and nice dense sweet bread are wonderful with coffee.”

“Excellent and very easy to make,” says Kelly. “The only change I did was add gel food coloring to the crusty dough on top.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

Bread:

  • ½ cup warm water

  • 2 ½ teaspoons yeast

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ cup evaporated milk

  • ⅜ cup white sugar

  • ⅓ cup butter, melted

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping:

  • ⅔ cup white sugar

  • ½ cup butter, softened

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients gathered to make Conchas.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. To make the bread: Stir warm water and yeast together in a large bowl; let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.

    Warm water and yeast stirred together in a mixing bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix in 2 cups flour, milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt until combined.

    Flour, sugar, milk, melted butter, eggs and salt mixed in.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Gradually mix in remaining 2 cups flour and cinnamon until dough comes together.

    Flour and cinnamon gradually mixed in until dough comes together.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a large greased bowl; turn dough to coat.

    Once kneaded until smooth and elastic, place in a large greased bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

    Dough covered and left to rise until doubled.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Meanwhile, make the topping: Beat sugar and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

    Sugar and butter beaten in a bowl until light and fluffy.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Stir in flour until a thick paste forms.

    Flour stirred in until a thick paste forms.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Transfer 1/2 of the paste to a separate bowl. Mix cinnamon into one half and vanilla into the other half.

    Dough divided into separate bowls, with cinnamon mixed in one and vanilla in the other.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.

    Dough shaped into balls and placed on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Divide each bowl of topping into 6 balls; pat flat. Place circles of topping on top of dough balls, patting down lightly. Use a knife to cut grooves in the topping like a seashell.

    Dough topping placed on each ball and slightly patted down, then grooves cut into each.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  12. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

    Dough covered and let rise until doubled.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  13. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  14. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes.

    Conchas baked until golden-brown.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
479 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

395 Calories
15g Fat
59g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 395
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 9g 44%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 303mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 59g 21%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 47mg 4%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 117mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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