This Chipa 4 Quesos Recipe elevates the traditional Paraguayan Chipa Almidón with a delicious twist. More than just a typical chipa, this version features cream cheese and Mexican Four Cheese (Kraft brand recommended) baked right into the center, transforming it into an irresistible cheesy bread that's sure to become a favorite.
For more Chipa recipes, be sure to check out our Chipa Buns, Chipa Almidon, Chipa Asador, Chipa Muffins, Chipa Mestizo, and Chipa So’o.
How to Make Chipa 4 Quesos
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) and line baking sheets.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Add butter and eggs, and mix until smooth.
- Incorporate dry ingredients, mix in cheese, and add buttermilk until kneadable. Knead until homogeneous.
- Combine cream cheese and Mexican cheese.
- Shape dough, fill it with cheese mixture, and form it into discs.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes.
- Cool slightly and serve fresh.
Camila's Tips and Advice
- Place each Paraguayan cheese bread on the prepared baking sheet and cover them with a clean kitchen cloth to prevent them from drying out while you finish shaping all the pieces of dough.
- To keep the chipas soft, when you take them out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container or zip-lock bag to maintain their freshness. Avoid overcooking; 15 to 17 minutes of baking time is sufficient for them to be well-cooked.
See More Paraguayan Recipes:
📖 Recipe
Easy Chipa 4 Quesos
Ingredients
For the Chipa 4 Quesos:
- 1 kg Yuca Starch
- 300 gr butter , softened
- 6 large eggs , room temperature
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt (to taste)
- 250 ml buttermilk or whole milk
- 700 gr Mexican 4 cheese , shredded
- 20 gr ( 2 tablespoons) anise seeds, to taste
- 1-½ tablespoons Non-Aluminum Baking powder: Chipa Almidon recipe does not require baking powder; however , I use it in my Chipa Almidon recipe because it produces a better result by making it lighter and less dense.
For the Cream Cheese & Mexican 4 Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (8 oz) Full Fat Cream Cheese , Softened
- 100 g Mexican 4 Cheese Blend , shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line one 13x18x1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In an extra-large bowl, mix the yuca starch, self-rising flour, and baking powder.
- Rub the anise seeds between your palms to release their flavor, then stir them into the dry mixture. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the softened butter and eggs into the well, then cream them with your fingers. You want to make that as much a homogeneous mixture as you can without bringing too much of the tapioca mixture into the fold just yet.
- Once you get it together, start adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a coarse crumb forms. The crumb should be loose but should hold together when pressed.
- Add the cheese and mix until they are evenly distributed.
- Slowly add buttermilk, just enough to make the dough easy to knead but not too firm. Knead by hand until the dough is compact and moist. Note: You may not need to use all the buttermilk; if the dough becomes too soft, add a little more tapioca starch.
- Knead the dough by using the heel of your hand to push it away, then gather it back using a bench scraper. Continue until the dough is homogeneous and no longer sticks to the work surface and your hands, for about 4-5 minutes. The dough should have a smooth, playdough-like consistency when done.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and Mexican cheese for the filling.
- Divide the dough into balls, approximately 125 g each. Flatten each ball into a small disk about 4 inches in diameter. Add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the center, then fold the edges of the dough around the filling to enclose it. Gently press it to flatten it to about 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.
- Alternatively, flatten a ball into a 4-inch disk with thick edges. Make a well in the center, add a tablespoon of cream cheese, and sprinkle Mexican cheese on top.
- Arrange the shaped dough on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown with cheese spots appearing on the surface. Remove from the oven and let the chipas cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.