Facturas
Facturas are a diverse array of Argentine breakfast pastries, often enjoyed with coffee. This recipe focuses on the process of creating these flaky, sweet treats, which rely on a laminated dough technique similar to croissants or puff pastry.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Laminated dough (masa hojaldrada)(This is the foundation for all facturas. It requires time for chilling and folding. You can prepare this dough a day in advance.)
- 200 g Dulce de Leche(A thick, caramel-like spread, essential for many facturas. Ensure it's a good quality, spreadable dulce de leche.)
- 200 g Membrillo paste (Quince paste)(A firm, jelly-like paste made from quince fruit. It can be softened slightly by warming if too stiff.)
- 200 g Custard cream (Crema pastelera)(A rich vanilla pastry cream. Can be store-bought or homemade.)
- 1 large egg Egg wash(Beaten with 1 tablespoon of water or milk for a golden finish.)
- 100 ml Simple sugar syrup(Made by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat, then cooling. Used for glazing.)
- as needed Optional: Chopped nuts (almonds, peanuts)(For topping certain types of facturas.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Laminated Dough: Follow a detailed recipe for 'masa hojaldrada' (laminated dough). This involves creating a butter block, encasing it in dough, and performing multiple folds (turns) with chilling periods in between. This process can take several hours and is crucial for the flaky texture. Ensure the dough is well-chilled between folds.
⏱️ 2.5 hours (active time spread over several hours, including chilling) - 2
Prepare Fillings: If using membrillo paste, warm it slightly in a small saucepan or microwave until it's easily spreadable. Have the dulce de leche and custard cream ready in separate bowls or piping bags.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Shape the Facturas: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled laminated dough to about 3-4mm thickness. Cut into desired shapes (rectangles, squares, triangles, or strips). For filled facturas, spread a thin layer of your chosen filling onto one half of the dough, leaving a small border. Fold the dough over the filling (e.g., a rectangle folded in half, or a strip folded into a knot). For unfilled shapes, simply cut and twist or fold.
⏱️ 45 minutes - 4
Proof the Facturas: Arrange the shaped facturas on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, ensuring they have space to expand. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them proof in a warm, draft-free place for about 45-60 minutes, or until they look slightly puffy and feel light. Do not overproof, as this can cause them to collapse during baking.
⏱️ 45-60 minutes - 5
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 6
Bake the Facturas: Brush the proofed facturas generously with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown and puffed up. The exact time will depend on the size and shape of your facturas and your oven.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes per batch - 7
Glaze and Finish: While the facturas are still warm, brush them generously with the simple sugar syrup. This gives them a beautiful sheen and a slightly crisp exterior. If desired, sprinkle with chopped nuts immediately after glazing.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Cool and Serve: Let the facturas cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the same day they are baked, with a cup of coffee ('café con leche').
⏱️ 20 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of your laminated dough is paramount. Ensure the butter is well-integrated and the dough is properly chilled throughout the folding process.
- ✓Facturas come in countless shapes and names, such as 'vigilante' (often with membrillo), 'sacramento' (often with dulce de leche), and 'bola de fraile' (a fried, filled doughnut-like pastry, though this recipe focuses on baked versions).
- ✓Serve warm with 'café con leche' for an authentic Argentine breakfast or merienda (afternoon snack) experience.
- ✓For a crispier finish, ensure your oven is fully preheated and avoid opening the oven door too early during baking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Vigilante: Typically a long, rectangular pastry filled with membrillo paste.
- Sacramento: Often a twisted or knotted shape filled with dulce de leche.
- Medialunas: Crescent-shaped pastries, often sweeter and smaller than croissants, typically glazed.
- Bolas de Fraile: While often fried, a baked version can be made by shaping dough into balls, filling them after baking, and glazing.
- Add a dollop of custard cream (crema pastelera) alongside or instead of fruit paste fillings.