An Ode to the Crunchy Cookie Cap

Concha lovers, this one's for you! [Ends Tonight: Friends & Family: Save 15% on orders $60+]( [logo]( Sunday Recipe Inspiration Batch 517 [Chilindrinas]( Tatiana Bautista Editorial Coordinator If you're pro-crispy edges and corner brownies, I'm willing to bet you love a [cookie capped-bun]( just as much. Simply put, the cookie cap (yet to be officially recognized by Merriam-Webster, but beloved here at King Arthur) refers to the crispy, sugar cookie-like topping that contrasts with a bun or pastry beneath it, seen in everything from [Conchas]( to [Craquelin Cream Puffs](. (Even pastry chef Fany Gerson talks about how her mom [eats the best part of the concha](, ripping off the crispy top and leaving behind the plain dough.) Each recipe has its own take on the cookie cap, but they all share a foundation of butter, sugar, and flour. These [Conchas de Maíz]( veer from the classic with the addition of [masa harina](, but they feel particularly well-suited for fall, imbuing a naturally sweet, corny flavor. The confectioners' sugar in the cap lends itself to a crisp-yet-light texture, rather than an audible crunch. If you prefer a thicker, crunchier cookie cap, using granulated sugar, like in [Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)](, will achieve that texture. (Comparisons calling Pineapple Buns "Chinese conchas" or vice versa as "Mexican bolo bao" are pretty spot on!) Or better yet, [Chilindrinas]( (above), incorporate granulated sugar in the cookie dough plus an additional sprinkling of [sparkling sugar]( — the coarse-grained sugar maintains its shape during baking, rather than melting, so a sweet crunch is guaranteed. The cookie cap is yours to experiment with — playful takes on craquelin at pâtisseries range from black sesame to espresso (with pastry cream fillings to match!) and [concha bakers add everything from freeze dried fruit powder to rainbow sprinkles](. These [Lemon Sugar Crunch Buns]( are yet another example — [lemon juice powder]( adds bright citrus flavor, complimented by a delicate [vanilla]( dough. Happy baking, Tatiana This week at King Arthur We didn't have this [classic cookie (or is it a cake?)]( on King Arthur until now. If your kitchen is getting too chilly for bread baking, consider [this compact bread proofer](. All the secrets of mirror glaze, [revealed](. Have you baked any of our [16 best pumpkin recipes]( yet? Fresh from the blog Our 14 favorite fall pies [Read more ›]( [blog image]( How (and why) to measure flour the right way [Read more ›]( [blog image]( How to make a gingerbread house — and cute gingerbread people, too [Read more ›]( [blog image]( Recipes we're baking ★★★★★ [Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)]( ★★★★★ [Lemon Sugar Crunch Buns]( ★★★★★ [Craquelin Cream Puffs]( ★★★★★ [Conchas]( Best of 2023 Our top gift picks of the year are here [Shop Gifts]( On sale now Save on the #1 baking assistant for bakers [Save $4 Now]( [Join sms]( [Text JOIN to 27820 for Updates]( [Appliances shipping]( [Free Shipping on appliances]( [Bakers Rewards]( [Join Baker's Rewards & Earn Points]( [Shop ›]( [Recipes ›]( [Learn ›]( [Blog ›]( [Rewards ›]( Connect with us [ftsocial_facebook]( [ftsocial_instagram]( [ftsocial_pinterest]( [ftsocial_twitter]( [ftsocial_youtube]( customercare@kingarthurbaking.com Call toll-free: 800.827.6836 58 Billings Farm Road, White River Junction, VT 05001 By subscribing to King Arthur text messaging, you consent to receive recurring autodialed marketing text messages to the mobile number used at opt-in. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to 27820 to opt out. See [Terms]( & [Privacy](. Receive 15% off your merchandise order over $60. Your merchandise total consists of the sum of the products you've placed in your shopping cart and does not include any sales tax or shipping. Offer cannot be sold, auctioned, transferred, or combined with any other offer, and is void if altered or reproduced. Offer cannot be applied to previous or pending purchases. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Offer valid online only. The following items are excluded from offer: all appliances and their attachments/accessories, already discounted products, Thermapen, Staub bakeware, Emile Henry bakeware, gift cards, King Arthur Baking School classes. Offer valid through 10/22/2023, 11:59PM ET. You are receiving this because you signed up for King Arthur emails. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. View this email as a [web page](. [Preferences]( [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy](