Sourdough Gusanitos Latin American Sweet Bread "Pan dulce"

sourdough starter

🥗Healthier: whole wheat starter

💰Cheaper: commercial yeast

Whole wheat starter adds fiber, while commercial yeast is more accessible.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and adds a unique flavor.

chocolate chips

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate

💰Cheaper: chocolate bar

Dark chocolate has less sugar and can be broken into pieces.

Pour 150 grams of milk in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Add 100 grams of eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 100 grams of sourdough starter.

Add 80 grams of granulated sugar and 300 grams of all-purpose flour.

Fit the stand mixer with the hook attachment and mix all the ingredients at low speed until well incorporated.

Add 110 grams of unsalted butter cut into pieces, adding each piece one by one and letting it incorporate before adding the next.

Add 6 grams of sea salt and mix for about 20 to 30 minutes until the dough pulls off the walls of the bowl and is soft and elastic.

Place the dough on a working table and stretch and fold it on itself to add tension.

Make a bowl with the dough and place it in a grease proofing bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, prepare the filling by mixing 100 grams of vegetable shortening, 100 grams of powdered sugar, and 100 grams of all-purpose flour until a paste consistency is achieved.

Take the dough out of the fridge and divide it into 8 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a ball and cover with a kitchen towel to rest for 10 minutes.

Press down a ball of dough and roll it out to about 8 inches long.

Place a portion of the sweet paste filling on one end of the dough, press it down, and make cuts on the dough without cutting all the way through.

Roll the dough from the opposite end to shape it into a roll.

Place the shaped dough on a prepared baking sheet with parchment paper, cover, and let it proof for 6-8 hours until doubled in size.

Brush the dough with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens