Joe Ciardullo Porto’s bakery was established in 1946 and became known for its fresh and delicious cheese rolls. Their special recipe uses pure cream cheese, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a secret spice blend. These are just some of the reasons why locals and tourists drive for miles for a taste of Porto’s famous cheese rolls.
The Porto’s bakery cheese roll recipe is a delicious treat that has many fans who flock to the Southland location at all hours of the day, eager to taste the famous bread pudding pastry.
The recipe below can be used at home to make up your own batch of cheese rolls. To learn more about this detailed cheese roll recipe.
Contents
Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll History
The Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll is a popular treat in Los Angeles, but it’s actually an adaptation of a Mexican pastry called a rosca de reyes.
The original recipe for the cheese roll was developed by a baker named Carlos Porto in Mexico City. He made it as part of a traditional celebration for Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6. The pastry is made from flaky puff pastry and filled with a cream cheese mixture.
Porto immigrated to Los Angeles in the late 1960s. He opened his first bakery, Porto’s Bakery, in 1972 and began selling the cheese rolls there soon afterward. They were an immediate hit with customers and remain so today.
How to Reheat Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll Recipe
Reheating Porto’s Bakery Cheese Rolls is easy, but you have to be careful not to overbake the bread. The perfect time to reheat Porto’s cheese rolls is 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also use your oven, but you have to watch the bread carefully. If you use the microwave, it will only take about two minutes for each roll.
Microwave
If you have a microwave at home, then this will be an easy method for you. You just need to place the roll in a microwave-safe dish and heat it on high for one minute. This will make sure that your cheese roll is hot and delicious. You can also add toppings like jalapenos or banana peppers to add some spice to your snack.
Oven
You can also use your oven to reheat Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll. Simply preheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake them for ten minutes until it becomes warm again. This is an ideal option if you do not have a microwave at home or if you want more control over the temperature of your food without spoiling its taste and texture. If you do not have time to wait for an hour for your food to get cold again, then this method is perfect for you!
An Air Fryer
If you have an air fryer, use it to reheat your Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll recipe. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage of your air fryer. Once it reaches the desired temperature, place the cheese roll in the basket of your air fryer and cook for 3 minutes or until heated through and crispy again.
In Conclusion, with just a handful of ingredients, and no kneading required to make yeasty dough, the Porto’s bakery cheese roll recipe is simple and isn’t that hard to follow. In as little as one hour and with only three ingredients, you can bake your own batch of cheese rolls. Once they come out of the oven, enjoy a hot and delicious snack in your home.
How to Make Porto’s Bakery Cheese Roll Recipe
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Mixing bowl
- Knife or pastry cutter
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Cooling rack, lined with newspaper (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup of butter at room temperature
- 3 eggs beaten with a fork
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Prepare the dough by first mixing together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and mix it together until it forms into a soft dough ball. Let it rest for about 10 minutes (while you prepare your filling).
- Mix together all the ingredients for your cheese roll filling in a medium-sized bowl, until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and not overly liquidy (add more flour if needed).
- Once your dough has rested for 10 minutes, knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic (if it becomes too sticky, add a bit more flour). Roll out the dough into an 18 x 24-inch rectangle about 1/4-inch thick with a rolling pin (you can also use a pasta machine if desired).
- Spread half of your cheese roll filling evenly over one side of the rolled out dough (covering most of it), leaving about 1/2 inch uncovered along one long edge farthest from you.
- Fold uncovered long edge over top of filling so that it overlaps slightly into center of roll; press down gently to seal.
- Now starting from the end that is closest to you, carefully roll the entire cheese roll forward, over the filling towards you until it forms a long log shape. With your hands on either side of the cheese log, gently pull it apart at its center seam to create 2-inch spaces between each cheese log (as in photo).
- Repeat with remaining cheese filling and dough.
- Place rolls in a large plastic bag or a baking pan, cover and let rest for about 15 minutes at room temp (no need to prepare the oven for this step).
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and brush the rolls with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tsp of water) or milk (1 tsp milk + 2 tsp water + 1/2 tsp white vinegar). Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and bake the rolls for 30 to 35 minutes until they are golden brown (they will sound hollow when you tap the bottom of a roll with a spoon).
- Allow cheese rolls to cool slightly before serving. Cheese rolls can be frozen in an air-tight container and defrosted later at room temp or reheated in a warm oven (350 degrees F) before serving.
Notes
- 1. Use freshly shredded cheese.
- 2. Sprinkling the top with more cheese is optional, but it makes the roll even tastier.
- 3. You can use any kind of flour to make this recipe. I like to use unbleached all-purpose flour for its taste and texture, but whole wheat flour also works well in this recipe.
- 4. If you want to add more flavor to your rolls, add some garlic powder or chopped parsley on top before baking them in the oven.
