Colombian cheese rosquillas are traditional baked rings made with white cheese, corn flour, cassava starch, eggs, and a little lard. They are soft in the center, lightly firm outside, and pleasantly savory with a delicate cheese aroma.
People enjoy them for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or with hot drinks. Their ingredients and ring shape make them closely related to Colombian pandequeso, a well-known cheese bread especially associated with the Paisa region.
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Colombian Cheese Rosquillas
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 to 16 rosquillas
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients
- 4 pounds of white cheese, grated or ground
- 3 pounds of corn flour
- 1 pound of cassava starch
- ¼ pound of sugar
- ½ tablespoon of lard
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 4 cups of water
Preparation
- Make the dough, mix the corn flour, cassava starch, and sugar, and combine them with the cheese, lard, eggs, and half of the water.
- Knead and rest, knead well while adding the rest of the water and, once the dough is even, let it rest for a while. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Shape the rosquillas, take portions of dough, shape them into rings, and place them on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake, bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden.
Chef’s tips
- Grate or grind the white cheese finely so it blends evenly into the dough.
- Add the second half of the water while kneading, until the dough is even.
- Avoid adding too much extra flour while shaping the rings; softer dough makes more tender rosquillas.
- Press the ends firmly together so the rings do not open in the oven.
Traditional variations
Some bakeries use more cheese and less sugar for a more savory result. In the Paisa region, this same preparation of cheese, corn flour, and cassava starch is known as pandequeso, traditionally shaped into thick golden rings.
How to serve
Serve the rosquillas warm or at room temperature. They are especially good for breakfast, coffee breaks, and afternoon snacks.
Recommended accompaniments
- Colombian black coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Hot panela drink
- Coffee with milk
- Colombian oat drink
A culinary curiosity
The ring shape is one of the most familiar presentations for Colombian cheese breads. Cassava starch creates a lighter texture than standard wheat bread, while cheese gives the rosquillas their characteristic flavor and aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions
White cheese, grated or ground; it's the main ingredient of the dough.
In the Paisa region, pandequeso is exactly a ring of corn flour and cheese, with cassava starch, baked in a ring shape.
In an oven preheated to 350 °F (175 °C), for about 20 minutes or until golden.
The recipe makes 12 to 16 rosquillas, depending on size.
