Addicting Filipino Ensaymada Recipe

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. You may pair this with Tamarind Drink.

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!

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 yeast or instant yeast
• warm water 
• granulated sugar 
• warm milk 
• sugar 
• shortening 
• bread flour 
• egg yolks 
• salt 

Topping:

• softened butter
• powdered sugar 
• cheddar cheese 

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. 

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 nice and soft. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

Dust with powdered sugar and topped with grated cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions