mexican conchas

macks creek , MO
Updated on Dec 10, 2025

Ok, I remember when we visited my grandma in Mexico, we would always go to the panaderia and buy conchas. I loved to eat them with hot chocolate or warm milk. I got this recipe from my mom; they have a ton of flavor, and my kids love them, even my husband. I make little turtle-shaped ones for my kids; they love them.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

We love these Mexican conchas! Light and airy, they bring together the best of both cookies and pastry. Conchas are a traditional Mexican sweet bread with a sugary seashell-patterned topping. They have a hint of cinnamon flavor. The sugar topping, which gives conchas their name, adds a little crunch. Perfect morning treat with a cup of hot coffee or tea.

prep time 2 Hr 30 Min
cook time 18 Min
method Bake
yield 15 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 3 teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (about 105 degrees f.)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk warm same temp as water.
  • 5 tablespoons butter room temp
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 - egg
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • TOPPING
  • 4 tablespoons butter room temp
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • - food coloring (optional)

How To Make mexican conchas

  • Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit.
    Step 1
    In warm water, dissolve yeast with 2 Tbsp of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it foams up.
  • Cream reminder of sugar, egg, butter, and shortening.
    Step 2
    In a food processor or mixer, or by hand, cream reminder of sugar, egg, butter, and shortening.
  • Add in flour, salt, and cinnamon.
    Step 3
    Add in flour, salt, and cinnamon.
  • Add warm milk and yeast mixture. Combine until a ball of dough forms.
    Step 4
    Add warm milk and yeast mixture. Combine until a ball of dough forms. All this can be done by hand as well.
  • Knead dough and place in an oiled bowl.
    Step 5
    Knead the dough until an elastic ball forms, about 5 minutes. Oil a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl.
  • Cover and let rise.
    Step 6
    Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour until the dough doubles in size.
  • Add butter, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon for topping. You can add food coloring or cocoa powder.
    Step 7
    In a bowl, mix ingredients for topping. Add butter, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. You can add food coloring or cocoa powder, whatever you desire.
  • Form a paste and set aside.
    Step 8
    Form a paste and set aside.
  • Punch down dough and form into 15 balls.
    Step 9
    After an hour, punch your dough down and form fifteen balls about the same size. They should be about the size of a baseball. Put balls on greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart because they have to rise again.
  • Place a ball of the topping in your hands and flatten.
    Step 10
    Before they rise, put the topping on top. How you do it is divide the 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 onto the balls of dough.
    Step 11
    Press down on top of the dough balls; this will give the conchas their shape. Repeat until you have done this 15 times.
  • Using a toothpick create design in the topping.
    Step 12
    To make the design, use a toothpick and do any design you want. Let the dough rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour in a warm place covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap until they double in size.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    Step 13
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Place in the middle rack of the oven.
    Step 14
    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.
  • Bake for 13 - 18 minutes.
    Step 15
    Bake for 13 - 18 minutes, depending on the size of the dough ball. Take them out and let them cool.
  • Inside the Mexican Conchas.
    Step 16
    Enjoy them with coffee, milk, tea, or hot chocolate. Whatever 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.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 255 kcal, carbohydrates: 40 g, cholesterol: 29 mg, fat: 8 g, fiber: 1 g, protein: 5 g, saturated fat: 5 g, sodium: 216 mg, sugar: 11 g, unsaturated fat: 3 g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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