Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe - Simply Bakings (2024)

by Lainey · Originally Published: · Modified: · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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This pillowy soft and irresistibly Filipino Ensaymadas (Filipino bread) is slathered with softened butter and cheese your family will love and enjoy! It's easy to make and so addicting!

Looking for more bread recipes similar to this recipe? Try my pandesal recipe, Apple Monkey Bread, or my Easy Chocolate Bread.

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Jump to:
  • What is Filipino Ensaymada?
  • Top Tips
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Ingredients
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe

What is Filipino Ensaymada?

Filipino Ensaymada is a sweet bread popular in the Philippines. It's a soft and fluffy pastry topped with butter, sugar, and sometimes grated cheese. Ensaymada is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert, especially during special occasions like holidays and celebrations.

The Story Behind Ensaymada

Ensaymada is originally a Spanish pastry, but it has been adopted and adapted by the Philippines, making it a popular Filipino treat. It has a unique Filipino twist, often topped with butter, sugar, and cheese, reflecting the local taste preferences. So, while it has Spanish origins, ensaymada is now considered a Filipino delicacy.

Top Tips

  • Always add cheese—it takes it to another level! I tried a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and it was a fantastic choice!
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Substitutions

  • Sugar: Use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of white sugar.
  • Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese or you can use the traditional Edam Cheese that is normally used.
  • Milk: Use evaporated milk, coconut milk or almond milk for a dairy-free alternative.
  • Ube Halaya: If you can't find ube halaya, you can try using ube powder or extract mixed with sugar and water to create a similar flavor.
  • Baking Powder: You can use a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar as a substitute for baking powder.

Variations

  • Vanilla Extract: Add almond extract, coconut extract, vanilla extract to add a different flavor profile.
  • Toppings: Get creative with toppings and try using different types of nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to customize your Ensaymada.

Storage

  • To keep your Ensaymada fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

Ensaymada:

  • active dry yeastor instant yeast
  • warm water
  • granulated sugar
  • warm milk
  • sugar
  • shortening
  • bread flour
  • egg yolks
  • salt

Topping:

  • softened butter
  • powdered sugar
  • cheddar cheese
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Instructions

Brush a round cake pan (30cm) with softened butter, set aside.

In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar and allow it bloom for 15 minutes.

Then in another bowl, whisk together sugar, salt, and flour; Set aside.

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In another bowl, whisk together milk, shortening, and egg yolks.

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Combine the dry, wet ingredients, and bloomed yeast until dough is formed.

Dust the working surface with flour and knead the dough for 10 minutes until nice and soft.

Allow it to rest and rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

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Punch down the dough and place it back at the working surface, then roll the dough into a log and cut into 14 equal pieces or weigh each dough at 75 grams (which I did).

Shape the dough into ball, then roll out each dough into a log to about 15 cm, then swirl the dough, and then place the dough into the prepared pan.

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You can fit 10 small dough on each round pan.Cover with a cling film and allow it rise for 1 hour:

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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Allow it cool down before removing it from the pan and brush the top of the ensaymada with softened butter.

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Dust with powdered sugar and topped with grated cheese.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the characteristics of ensaymada?

Ensaymada has a brioche-like texture. It is soft, rich, and tender.

How to eat ensaymada?

Some people like to warm it up slightly in the microwave before eating, while others enjoy it at room temperature. Feel free to pair it with a hot drink like coffee or hot chocolate for a delicious treat!

Do ensaimadas need to be refrigerated?

Ensaimadas can be kept at room temperature for about a week. If you refrigerate them, they can last up to two weeks, while freezing can preserve them for up to six months. Many people find that ensaimadas taste best when freshly baked and suggest consuming them on the same day they're opened, unless frozen, for the optimal experience.

How do you bloom yeast?

In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Allow it bloom for 15 minutes then it's ready to use.

Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe - Simply Bakings (11)

4.60 from 20 votes

PrintPin Recipe

Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe

Treat your taste buds to Ensaymadas, a Filipino bread that's super soft and delicious! Picture fluffy clouds of bread topped with melted butter and cheese – it's a taste sensation your family will adore! They're easy to whip up, and once you try them, you'll be hooked!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Rest Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Filipino

Servings: 14 rolls

Calories: 77kcal

Ingredients

Ensaymada:

  • ½ cup butter softened
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups bread flour
  • cup sugar
  • ¼ tablespoons salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 3 egg yolks

Topping

  • ½ cup powdered sugar sifted
  • ½ - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Brush 2 pieces of 30cm round cake pan and brush with softened butter.

  • In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar and allow it bloom for 15 minutes.

  • Whisk together flour, sugar, salt and set aside.

  • In another bowl, whisk together milk, shortening, and egg yolks.

  • Combine the dry, wet ingredients, and bloomed yeast until dough is formed.

  • Dust the working surface with flour and knead the dough for 10 minutes until soft.

  • Allow it to rest and rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Assembling the Ensaymada

  • Punch down the dough and place it back at the working surface, then roll the dough into a log and cut into 14 equal pieces or weigh each dough at 75 grams

  • Shape the dough into ball, then roll out each dough into a log to about 15 cm, then swirl the dough, and then place the dough into the prepared pan.

  • You can fit 10 doughs in the round pan and the extra 4, place in a smaller pan. Next, cover with cling wrap and allow it rise for 1 hour:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 30 minutes.

  • After removing the Ensaymada from the oven, brush the top of the ensaymada with the leftover softened butter and top with sugar and grated cheese.

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Serving: 1gCalories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 135mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg

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Did you make this recipe?Share it on instagram or tag @simplybakings or #simplybakings!

Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe - Simply Bakings (2024)

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