Pan Dulce

Indulge in the warm, sweet embrace of freshly baked Pan Dulce, a beloved Mexican pastry that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This traditional treat features a soft, buttery bread base topped with a crumbly, colorful sugar crust that can be customized with vanilla or chocolate flavors. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, and eggs, this recipe combines the art of breadmaking with the joy of baking unique designs into the sugar topping for a stunning finish. Perfectly paired with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate, Pan Dulce is ideal for breakfasts, brunches, or as a delightful snack. With its enticing aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite for celebrating any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:180 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cups Whole milk
• 0.5 cups Unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 Large eggs
• 1 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 0.75 cups Confectioners' sugar (for topping)
• 0.5 cups All-purpose flour (for topping)
• 0.25 cups Unsalted butter (for topping, softened)
• 2 tablespoons Cocoa powder (optional, for chocolate topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the yeast with 1/2 cup of warm milk (110°F/43°C) and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.

Step 2

In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center.

Step 3

Add the frothy yeast mixture, the remaining milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough begins to form.

Step 4

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5-6 minutes.

Step 5

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 6

While the dough is rising, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, mix the confectioners' sugar, flour, and softened butter until it forms a paste. If making chocolate topping, divide the mixture in half and stir cocoa powder into one portion.

Step 7

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.

Step 8

Flatten the balls slightly with your hand. Divide the topping mixture into 12 pieces and pat each one into a thin disk. Drape one topping disk over each ball of dough, gently pressing to adhere.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife or a bread scraper, lightly score patterns into the topping to create the traditional concha design (such as shell shapes or lines).

Step 10

Cover the pan dulce with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until slightly puffed.

Step 11

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once risen, bake the pan dulce for 15-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden on top and cooked through.

Step 12

Remove the pan dulce from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature with coffee or hot chocolate.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1340.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4441.0

Total Fat 175.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 102.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 977.0mg	0%
Sodium 2700.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 634.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 207.6g
Protein 89.2g	0%

Vitamin D 323.8IU	0%
Calcium 517.1mg	0%
Iron 29.6mg	0%
Potassium 1499.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.3%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 56.8%