Concha (bread)


Concha is a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll. Conchas get their name from their round shape and their striped, seashell-like appearance. A concha consists of two parts, a sweetened bread roll, and a crunchy topping.
Their distinctive pattern is made by pressing a bread 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. 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.
Conchas rose in popularity with attention from chefs; some added fillings and some spices. Conchas got so popular that a “concha bun burger” won the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project in 2016.