Sweet Mexican Pan Dulce
Indulge in the delightful flavors of these traditional Mexican sweet buns, known as Pan Dulce. Perfect for wintertime gatherings and holiday festivities, these soft, buttery treats are topped with a sweet, crumbly mixture that caramelizes beautifully as they bake. Traditionally adorned with colorful sugar toppings, you can customize them with vibrant shades for a festive touch. With a delightful combination of warm milk, eggs, and essential spice flavors, these buns are a cherished favorite in Mexican markets during Christmas. Serve them warm with hot chocolate or coffee for an irresistible treat everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
1 cup (heated until bubbling, then cooled)
butter
6 tablespoons (melted)
active dry yeast
1 (1/4 ounce) package (dissolved in milk)
white sugar
1/3 cup (added to dough mixture)
salt
1 teaspoon (added to dough mixture)
eggs
2 (beaten and added to dough mixture)
all-purpose flour
5 cups (divided for dough and topping)
white sugar
1/2 cup (for topping)
all-purpose flour
2/3 cup (for topping)
butter
4 tablespoons (softened for topping)
egg yolks
2 (for topping)
Instructions
1
1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it bubbles around the edges. Remove from heat and add the butter, stirring until melted. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool to lukewarm.
2
2. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk mixture and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3
3. Stir in 1/3 cup of sugar, the salt, and the eggs into the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in 2 cups of flour until well combined.
4
4. Continue adding the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until a soft dough forms.
5
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, approximately 8 minutes.
6
6. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and turn it to coat with the oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
7
7. After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball.
8
8. Using a rolling pin, gently roll each ball into an oval shape and arrange them on two greased baking sheets.
9
9. Cover the buns with a damp cloth and let them rise again until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
10
10. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
11
11. While the dough is rising, prepare the topping by combining 1/2 cup sugar, 2/3 cup flour, and 4 tablespoons of softened butter in a small bowl. Mix until you have a crumbly texture.
12
12. Stir in the egg yolks until fully incorporated. Crumble this mixture evenly over the surface of the rolled buns, ensuring complete coverage.
13
13. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the buns are cooked through.
Nutrition Information
9.4
Fat
28.9
Carbs
3.1
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet Mexican Pan Dulce?
Pan Dulce refers to traditional Mexican sweet buns known for their soft, buttery texture and sweet, crumbly topping.
What does the name Pan Dulce mean?
Pan Dulce literally translates to 'sweet bread' in Spanish.
How many calories are in one Sweet Mexican Pan Dulce bun?
Each bun contains approximately 200 calories.
What is the fat content of a single Pan Dulce bun?
Each serving contains 9.4 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 28.9 grams of carbohydrates per bun.
How much protein is in each Pan Dulce?
Each bun provides about 3.1 grams of protein.
What type of yeast is required for this recipe?
This recipe uses one 1/4 ounce package of active dry yeast.
How long does the first rise take?
The first rise takes about 1 hour in a warm area until the dough has doubled in size.
How long is the second rise?
The second rise, after shaping the buns into ovals, takes about 40 minutes.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long do the buns need to bake?
Bake the buns for 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is lightly browned.
How many buns does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed to be divided into 16 equal pieces, making 16 buns.
What ingredients are needed for the sweet topping?
The topping consists of 1/2 cup sugar, 2/3 cup flour, 4 tablespoons of softened butter, and 2 egg yolks.
How should I prepare the milk for the dough?
Heat the milk until it bubbles around the edges, add butter, and then let it cool to lukewarm before adding yeast.
How long should I knead the dough?
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for approximately 8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
What should the texture of the topping be?
The topping should have a crumbly texture before being applied to the buns.
Can I customize the appearance of the Pan Dulce?
Yes, you can customize them with vibrant sugar shades for a festive look.
What are the best occasions to serve Pan Dulce?
They are perfect for wintertime gatherings, holiday festivities, and Christmas markets.
What are some recommended drinks to serve with these buns?
They are best served warm with hot chocolate or coffee.
How do I shape the dough before the second rise?
Divide the dough into 16 balls, then use a rolling pin to gently roll each ball into an oval shape.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
All-purpose flour is used for both the dough and the crumbly topping.
How many eggs are used in total for the dough?
The dough requires 2 eggs.
Do I need to grease the baking sheets?
Yes, the buns should be arranged on two greased baking sheets.
What does the topping do as it bakes?
The topping caramelizes beautifully as the buns bake, creating a sweet crust.
How do I know when the yeast is ready?
The yeast should sit in the warm milk for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 11 distinct ingredient measurements listed for the dough and topping.
Should the dough be covered while rising?
Yes, cover the dough with a damp cloth during both the first and second rising periods.
How is the butter prepared for the topping?
The butter for the topping should be softened to room temperature.
Is salt included in the dough?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt is mixed into the yeast and flour mixture.
Where is Pan Dulce traditionally found?
It is a cherished favorite commonly found in Mexican markets, especially during the Christmas season.