Hallullas are a very popular Chilean bread. They are simple, round, rather plain-looking breads, but they are quite tasty and rich, thanks to the addition of a little bit of lard (or vegetable shortening). They are perfect size for the beloved Chilean ham and cheese sandwiches called aliados (which literally means "allies"- I guess ham and cheese are good allies!).
Prep Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Yield: About 16 hallullas.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup lard (or vegetable shortening), softened
Preparation:
- Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.
- Place flour in the bowl of a standing mixer and stir in salt and sugar, using the dough hook attachment.
- Add yeast mixture and 1/2 cup milk and mix with dough hook. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Continue to knead until dough is smooth, elastic, and not sticky, about 10 minutes.
- Add lard and knead until dough is smooth again.
- Place dough in a oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Roll dough out on a floured surface until it's 1-2 centimeters thick. Dust dough with flour and fold in half. Roll out again and repeat folding two more times, letting dough rest at intervals to let the elasticity in the dough relax.
- When dough is all rolled out for the last time to 1-2 centimeters thickness, let it rest for 5 minutes. Use a biscuit cutters or cut circles of dough and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Use the tines of a fork to make two rows of decorative indentations across the top of the dough.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cover rolls loosely and let rise until doubled in in height, about 30 minutes.
- Bake hallullas until golden brown and puffy, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove and cool slightly before serving.
