Chocolate Molletes

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (100º to 110º)
• 2/3 cup sugar, divided
• 5 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup shortening, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa

Preparation

1. Stir together yeast, 1 cup warm water, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Stir together 6 tablespoons sugar, bread flour, 1/3 cup shortening, eggs, and salt in bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture, and beat at medium speed with mixer, using dough hook attachment, 6 minutes.
3. Combine remaining 3 tablespons sugar, cocoa and all-purpose flour in a bowl, and cut in remaining 3 tablespoons shortening with a fork until blended to form a paste.
4. Divide dough into 12 equal portions; shape into balls, and place on 2 lightly greased baking sheets (6 balls per baking sheet). Spread 2 teaspoons flour paste on top of each ball. Slightly flatten each ball using a dulce maker dipped in flour or a kaiser roll stamp dipped in flour. Cover dough with wax paper or plastic wrap.
5. Preheat oven to 170º to 200º; turn off oven, leaving oven door open 1 minute. Place dough, covered, in oven; let rise, with oven door closed, 2 hours and 10 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Remove dough, and preheat oven to 425º.
6. Bake molletes at 425º for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool molletes on baking sheets on wire racks.