Guaguas de Pan Andean Bread Figures

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Medium

Soft, lightly sweet enriched dough shaped into baby figures and finished with a simple icing. Our version is plain, with orange zest and a hint of anise. Makes 10 figures in about 3 hr 37 min.

Prep 45 min

Cook 22 min

Cooling 2 hr 30 min

Total 3 hr 37 min

Yield 10 figures

Ingredients

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figures

3 cups (375 g)all-purpose flour
¼ oz (7 g)active dry yeast
¼ cup (50 g)granulated sugar
½ tsp (3 g)fine salt
½ cup (120 ml)whole milk, warm, about 110 F (43 C)
4 tbsp (55 g)unsalted butter, softened
1 (50 g)egg, for the dough
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract
2 tsp (4 g)orange zest, grated
¼ oz (2 g)anise seed, lightly crushed
1 (50 g)egg, beaten, for wash, for the to finish
1 cup (120 g)powdered sugar
1 ½ tbsp (20 ml)milk

Fresh ingredient guides

OrangesHow to pick, season & nutrition · 62 kcal per 131 g

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Instructions

Whisk the warm milk, sugar and yeast; rest 10 minutes until foamy.
Add the egg, vanilla, butter, zest and anise, then the flour and salt. Mix into a shaggy dough.
Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky. Cover and rise 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled.
Divide into 10 pieces (about 75 g). Shape each into an oval body, add a small round head and two arms, tucking the arms across the front.
Arrange on lined baking sheets, cover and rest 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Brush the figures with egg wash and bake 18 to 22 minutes until deep golden.
Cool completely on a rack. Whisk the powdered sugar and milk into a thick icing and use a small spoon or piping bag to add faces and clothing details.
Let the icing set 20 minutes before serving.

Tips

Keep the arms attached with a dab of water so they do not pull apart in the oven.
Do not over-flour the dough; it should stay soft.
Traditional fillings include guava paste or dulce de leche.
Good with colada morada or hot chocolate.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make guaguas de pan andean bread figures?

Plan on 45 minutes of prep and 22 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours 30 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 10 figures.

How should I store guaguas de pan andean bread figures?

Keep covered at room temperature up to 2 days or freeze unglazed up to 1 month.

Can I make guaguas de pan andean bread figures ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Guaguas de pan are sweet bread figures baked for the Day of the Dead in the Andes; guagua means baby in Quechua. Serve it with colada morada or hot chocolate.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

269 Calories / serving

6.3g Fat

46.7g Carbs

5.8g Protein

17.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~2690 cal · 63g fat · 467g carbs · 58g protein · 177g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.