The hidden baby Jesus symbolizes the secrecy of the location of Jesus as a child. Baked inside is a small white plastic or ceramic figurine which represents the baby Jesus. This bread is symbolic in many ways, the most illustrative being its round shape which signifies the crown of the Reyes Magos see Biblical Magi. Rosca de reyes ('kings' crown') is a treat in addition to a gift that is given on Three Kings Day, Dia de los Reyes Magos, which is held twelve days after Christmas, the celebration date of the birth of Jesus Christ. The stories behind these special occasional breads derive from religious beliefs, the dominant being Roman Catholic. These special breads are part of the traditional customs that have been around for centuries. With the invention of pan dulce in Mexico, other significant breads were produced to celebrate special occasions and traditions, such as rosca de reyes and pan de muerto. For religious occasions/Seasonal pastries It has a filling which usually consists of raspberry jam. Yoyos (yo-yos) are a Mexican pastry named after the yo-yo toy, and is shaped exactly like it, but does not have the string. Polvorones (wedding cookies) are shortbread cookies, often eaten at weddings. Pink sugar Polvoron Polvorones (wedding cookies) Marranitos / cochinitos / puerquitos (little pigs) The top part of Marianas are usually is filled with icing or fruit filling.
Marianas are small vanilla sponge cakes that are coated with raspberry jam and coconut along the outside. They are also filled with fruit such as pumpkin or apple.
They are filled with meat or other ingredients such as cheese or vegetables of different sorts. Empanadas (turnovers) Įmpanadas (turnovers) are a pastry more commonly served in Cuba and South America but also have a place in Mexican cuisine. This pastry has garnered many comparisons to the French croissant. Conchas are known as bizcochos in Spain.Ĭuernos (horns) are a Mexican pastry that is known for their horn-like shape. It is also referred to as "pan de huevo" (egg bread) in other Latin American countries, such as Chile, where they are eaten during tea time or at the beach.
This is one of the most famous Mexican pastries and widely recognized in the United States. The concha is similar to Japanese melon pan. Other names include arracadas, potosinas, and novias. The dough is classically flavored with vanilla or orange blossom (flor de azahar), and can be mixed with anise seeds or cinnamon. Classic colors are chocolate, vanilla, egg, or pink, but they can be made in any food color available. Each shape and presentation has a different name there are dozens. Some are sprinkled with different types of sugar or sesame. Although the classic shape is shell-like, it can also be shaped like a snail and the cookie-dough topping can be stamped to be in the pattern of squares as well. This is the most common of a genre of bizcocho (egg dough) that is topped with a plethora of toppings elaborated out of cookie dough. Conchas (shells) Ī concha sweet bread bought in Mexico CityĬonchas (shells) are known for their shell-like shape and sugar shell pattern on the top. It is crisp, flaky, and has a shiny caramel colored finish. Campechanas Ĭampechanas are rectangular or round glazed Mexican pastries (referred to as hojaldre, Mexican millefeuille). A beso (kiss), from Mexico, is made by creating round domes on the top with a drop filling of jam in the middle.