S is for Semitas

When I visited Anthony's Key in Roatan, Honduras, we started each morning with a wonderful breakfast.  Staff would greet us with a smile, a hot cup of coffee, a fresh fruit plate, and a bread basket filled to the hilt with donuts, breads, and pastries.  

My favorite was Semitas, the Honduran sweet bread with a crunchy cookie-like topping.  I had one each morning, and a couple of mornings I had two!!

S is for Semitas......

My blogging friends and I get together every other Wednesday to share recipes that start or feature ingredients as we work our way through the alphabet.  Let's take a look at the other S recipes being shared today........

• Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies 
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Sourdough Focaccia 
• A Messy Kitchen: Marionberry Lavender Chiffon Cake 
• Blogghetti: Spinach and Cheese Crescent Rolls 
• Sneha’s Recipe: Spicy Peas 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Semitas 
• Food Lust People Love: Fresh Scallop Sashimi 
• Culinary Cam: Semifreddo al Miele 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Weeknight Sweet Italian Sausage Gravy with Beer 
• Magical Ingredients: Shahi Paneer Dip
• Palatable Pastime: Seasoned Baked Chicken Legs
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Chermoula Sweet Potato Salad

Last year, I celebrated the letter S with Southern Style BBQ Shrimp.

Past 2025 Alphabet Challenge Recipes

A is for Apples and Greens with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

B is for White Bean and Basil Salad

C is for Cider Glazed Chicken Wings

D is for Chicken and Dates

E is for Escargots Bourguignonne

F is for Roasted Vegetable Farro Bowl

G is for Garlic Honey Chicken Thighs

H is for Asian Beef Bowls

I is for Italian Ice

J is for Jamaican Jerk Chicken

K is for Kwasnica

L is for Preserved Lemons

M is for Steak and Mushroom Bites

N is for Sweet and Spicy Cashews

O is for Overnight Oats

P is for Pasta with Preserved Lemons

Q is for Shrimp Fajita Quesadillas

R is for Rustic Rye Sourdough Loaf

Breakfasts, Breads, Sweetbreads, Rolls,

Breads

Honduran

Yield: 18

Author: Wendy Klik

Semitas

Honduran sweet bread with a crunchy cookie-like topping.

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 15 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 35 M

Ingredients

• 4 c. flour, divided
• 1/2 c. milk
• 2 eggs
• 7 T. butter, cubed, room temperature
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 1/4 t. instant yeast
• 1 t. vanilla
• 3/4 c. shortening, room temperature
• 1 c. powdered sugar

Instructions

1. In the large bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook, combine 3 cups of the flour with the salt, yeast, milk, water, eggs, and vanilla, until it comes together to form a dough.
2. Increase the speed and gradually add the sugar, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until it is completely incorporated.
3. Add the butter, a few cubes at a time, until it is fully incorporated. Continue to mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and elastic. Remove dough ball, and oil the bowl. Return the dough ball and allow to rest, covered with a warm, damp, towel, for about 2 hours, until doubled in size.
4. Mix the remaining flour, shortening, and sugar in the small bowl of the stand mixer using the paddle attachment, until it is combined and resembles a thick sugar cookie dough.
5. Divide the dough into 18 balls place onto a piece of parchment paper, cover with a second piece of parchment and roll or press into flat disks. Set aside.
6. Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 18 equal pieces. Fold and turn each piece into a ball and then gently flatten them into a disk shape. Place onto cookie sheets that have been covered with parchment or silicone mats.
7. Cover each dough ball with the cookie topping, trimming away any excess.
8. Score the topping on each with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut into the dough. Cover with a towel and allow to rise for another hour or two, until doubled in size.
9. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for about 15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe found at Espresso and Lime

Nutrition Facts

Calories

277

Fat (grams)

14 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

5 g

Carbs (grams)

34 g

Fiber (grams)

1 g

Net carbs

33 g

Sugar (grams)

13 g

Protein (grams)

4 g

Sodium (milligrams)

49 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

31 mg

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