novias pan dulce
there’s something so comforting about fresh pan dulce, especially when it’s homemade. and novias? they’re soft, fluffy, buttery, and sprinkled with sugar – the perfect little treat with your cafecito or as a sweet weekend bake. these sweet rolls have that nostalgic, panadería feel but are actually super easy to make at home. imagine warm, golden rolls with layers of buttery dough and just the right touch of sweetness. novias are basically little edible hugs, and they’re just as cute as they are delicious. ♥
𖦁 the ingredients:
each ingredient has a purpose here – it’s a simple recipe, but every piece matters to get that soft, rich texture and signature sugar top.
all-purpose flour: this is the structure of your dough. make sure to spoon and level it so you don’t add too much.
instant yeast: no need to activate it first – it goes straight in with the dry ingredients and helps the dough rise beautifully.
eggs: we’re using two medium eggs, added one at a time. they add richness and softness to the dough.
sugar: just the right amount goes into the dough for that gentle sweetness, and of course we’ll sprinkle more on top for that panadería finish.
butter: divided in the recipe – some goes into the dough, some gets spread inside, and some is brushed on top. make sure it’s softened!
water: warm water brings the dough together and helps activate the yeast.
vanilla extract: adds that warm, sweet aroma that makes these feel extra special.
𖦁 how to make soft, fluffy novias:
this recipe is all about giving the dough time to rise and working gently with it – no stress, just good vibes and sweet smells filling your kitchen.
step 1: make the dough
in a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and sugar.
add 4 tablespoons of softened butter, the water, vanilla extract, and the eggs – one at a time.
using the hook attachment, mix and knead on medium speed until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and slightly elastic.
step 2: let it rise
once your dough is kneaded, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size. this usually takes about 1-2 hours depending on your kitchen temp.
step 3: roll and shape the dough
lightly grease your work surface and gently deflate the dough.
roll it out into a rectangle about 18×7 inches.
spread the remaining 4 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over the dough.
roll it up tightly from the short side, creating a log.
trim the ends to make the log even, and cut it into 6 equal pieces.
roll the trimmed dough ends into small balls and place them spaced out on a greased baking sheet.
place each cut roll on top of a dough ball, cut side up.
gently flatten each one slightly with the palm of your hand. cover them with a towel and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes, until puffy and soft.
step 4: bake to golden perfection
preheat your oven to 320°f (160°c), placing the rack in the middle.
bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden brown and smell amazing.
while still hot, brush the tops with butter and sprinkle with sugar for that sweet, panadería-style finish.
step 5: enjoy warm
place them on a cooling rack and serve warm – or let them cool completely and store them for later (if they last that long!).
𖦁 tips for the best novias:
make sure your butter is soft, not melted: this makes it easier to blend and spread without affecting the dough texture.
don’t skip the second rise: this is what gives them that soft, fluffy lift.
decorate right after baking: brushing with butter while they’re hot helps the sugar stick and creates that perfect glisten.
enjoy them fresh: these are best the day they’re made, but you can warm them up slightly the next day and they’ll taste just as dreamy.
𖦁 can i make them without a stand mixer?
yes, you totally can! if you’re kneading by hand, it’ll take about 10-15 minutes of mixing and kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. it’s a bit of a workout, but honestly so worth it.
𖦁 tools i used:
i always get questions about what i use when baking, so here are a few kitchen essentials that make the process easier:
you can also check out more of my faves in my amazon storefront! thank you for supporting me and baking along – i hope these novias bring some sweetness to your day ♥︎
ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar, + more for decoration
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
8 tbsp softened butter, divided, + more for greasing & decorating
¾ cup water, room temp
2 eggs, room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
instructions:
in a stand mixer, combine flour, yeast, and sugar.
add 4 tbsp softened butter, water, vanilla extract, and eggs (one at a time). mix with hook attachment.
knead on medium speed until smooth and soft.
cover with towel and let rise 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
grease your surface, deflate dough, and roll into an 18×7-inch rectangle.
spread remaining 4 tbsp butter over the dough.
roll tightly from the short end to form a log.
trim the ends, roll them into small balls, and place on greased baking sheet.
cut the log into 6 pieces and place each on top of a dough ball. flatten gently.
cover and let rise 30-40 mins, until puffy.
preheat oven to 320°f / 160°c.
bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
while hot, brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
cool on a wire rack. enjoy warm or save for later!
