Conchas

Concha (Mexican sweet bread) is a breakfast or snack pastry found all over Mexico. It has a fluffy brioche-like dough with a crispy streusel topping, scored to resemble a shell. The pastry can come in a variety of colors and other shapes, but I prefer the plain and chocolate streusel.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 to 5–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• STREUSEL:
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, ground
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Add eggs; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6–8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, to make streusel, in a large bowl, beat butter, flour, sugar and vanilla until combined. Divide in half. Mix chocolate into 1 half; set aside
3. Punch down dough. Divide dough into 12 portions; form each into a 3-in. oval. Place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk egg with milk; brush over dough. Divide plain streusel into 6 portions; roll each into a 3-in. circle. Place over half the rolls. Repeat with chocolate streusel and remaining rolls.
4. Using a sharp knife, cut through streusel on top of rolls to resemble a clamshell.
5. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Brush rolls with remaining egg wash.
6. Bake until tops are lightly browned, 15–20 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.