Create Signature Cakes Crea Pasteles Distintivos - Your BakeMark

BREAD & BAKING
34
Sweet Bread
Variations
There are several methods to
produce conchas. Some bakeries use
a quick dough method. Others like
Panadería Ramirez in Calhoun, GA,
make concha dough using a more
lengthy process.
“Our bread is not as heavy.
Our style is very different,” says
Ivan Ramirez, owner of Panadería
Ramirez.
At his bakery, the bakers use
more margarine in their concha
dough and, after mixing, allow the
MARCH 10 | PANADERIA
dough to rest for an entire day in the
walk-in cooler. “After that, it gets its
power and comes out beautifully,”
Ramirez says.
Once the dough is mixed, it
is allowed to partially rise, and
then the bakers push the rack into
the cooler for overnight proofing.
The next day, the concha dough is
shaped by hand and then put back
into the cooler prior to baking.
“Our bakers are from Mexico
City, and they are very familiar with
that style,” Ramirez says. “Because
we use more margarine than others
traditionally do, it gives the conchas
a more moist texture.”
Other unique sweet breads at
Atlanta area bakeries include platanos
(or banana shaped bread) made
by Panadería Ramirez with Bavarian
cream spread on top with whole raisins
baked in the bread.
At La Guadalupana Bakery in
Kennesaw, GA, they sell dozens of
types of breads that include cartera
(shaped like a wallet), corterillo
(cuts), tapado (covered), and piedras
(stones).
When Carniceria La Reyna
opened for business in 2005, the
bakery began by selling bread that
was produced by another nearby
bakery. But soon, more customers
started asking for fresh bread and
it became evident that La Reyna
would be able to grow its business
by opening a bakery inside the store.
The bakery opened three years ago.
Today, they produce many different
shapes of sweet breads, in the
shapes of pillows, flags and even
cones, which are filled with Bavarian
cream. One of the most popular
items among local customers is