Concha (plural conchas, meaning "shell" in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

) is a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll (''

pan dulce Pan dulce, literally meaning "sweet bread", is the general name for a variety of Mexican pastries. Bread was introduced in Mexico by Spanish colonists, settlers and immigrants; however, Mexican pan dulce as we know it today rose to popularity ...

''). Conchas get their name from their round shape and their striped, seashell-like appearance. A concha consists of two parts, a sweetened

bread roll Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour (usually wheat) and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history and around the world, it has been an important part of many cultures' diet. It is one of the oldest human-made food ...

, and a crunchy topping (composed of flour, butter, and sugar). Their distinctive pattern is made by pressing a bread stamp (cf. Butter stamp) over the topping while the dough is proofing. Although the roll and topping are usually the same flavor, the top layer may have different flavorings or colors (strawberry, coffee, chocolate, etc.). Conchas are popular in bakeries in Mexico and throughout the United States. They are usually eaten with coffee at breakfast or as an afternoon snack at ''

merienda Merienda is a light meal in southern Europe, particularly Spain (merenda in Galician, berenar in Catalan), Portugal (lanche or merenda) and Italy (merenda), as well as Hispanic America, Philippines (meryenda/merienda), North Africa (Morocco), ...

''. Conchas rose in popularity with attention from chefs; some added fillings and some spices. Conchas became so popular that a "concha bun burger" won the

James Beard Foundation The James Beard Foundation is a New York City-based national non-profit culinary arts organization named in honor of James Beard, a prolific food writer, teacher, and cookbook author, who was also known as the "Dean of American Cookery." The prog ...

's Blended Burger Project in 2016.

References

Mexican breads Mexican desserts {{Mexico-cuisine-stub