Pan Dulce

Ingredients

• Starter:
• ¾ cup water
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Dough:
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 2 ¾ cups flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Topping:
• 1 egg yolk
• 2/3 cup flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup soft butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine the starter ingredients and let them rest for 1 hour, until the mixture is bubbly.
2. Add the dough ingredients to the mixture, and mix and knead to form a sticky, elastic dough. Allow to rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Combine the topping ingredients, forming a thick paste; set aside.
4. Transfer the dough to a greased or floured work surface and divide it into 10 pieces. Roll each into a ball.
5. Divide the topping into 10 portions, flattening each portion into a disk.
6. Place the balls of dough onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving space between them. Brush the top of each ball with lightly beaten egg white.
7. Press a disk of topping onto each roll and flatten slightly.
8. Allow the rolls to rise for about 30 minutes, covered.
9. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Enjoy warm with jam. Yield: 10 rolls.