Ube Ensaymada (Purple Yam Soft Bread with Cheese)

Ube Ensaymada is a Filipino soft and light bread with sugar and cheese on top. Ensaymada bread in itself is very common and most likely to be eaten in the Philippines as a daily snack or for breakfast. Due to its popularity, it has evolved with different flavors.

Ube flavor is very popular in the Philippines and you can find it in different types of food from jam, cookies, cakes and even candies. In addition, you will immediately notice it because of its purple color.

Ube ensaymada bread is made of eggs, milk and sugar and this results in a softer and fluffy bread. I used active dry yeast as a leavener and it needs to be activated by mixing it with warm (105-110F) milk and sugar. Moreover, this process helps make the ube ensaymada to be fluffy and spongy.

For this recipe, I added 1/4 cup of powdered ube and 2 tsp of ube flavoring for more color. As a result of the ube flavor, the ensaymada is tastier with a bolder purple hue. To learn how to re-hydrate ube powder, check my previous post.

Lastly, this recipe is very simple and easy to make. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy it anytime ube ensaymada you like.

RECIPE

DOUGH

• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast

• ¼ cup water, warm

• 4-4 ½ cups all purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup milk

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 3 eggs

• ½ cup rehydrated ube

• 2 tsp ube flavoring

TOPPING

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, brushing

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

• ½ cup icing sugar (or granulated sugar)

STEPS IN PREPARING THE DOUGH

• Mix yeast, warm water and 1 tsp sugar

• Set aside until it foams.

Activate dry yeast

1. Combine warm water with active dry yeast and 1 tsp of sugar. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 2 cups flour, salt,  sugar and yeast mixture. Mix.

3. Add milk, butter, 2 cups flour. Mix until it is all incorporated.

4. Slowly add the eggs.

5. If it is too sticky add more flour (around ¼ cup or 2 tablespoons).

6. Add ube paste and ube flavoring. Turn the speed up to medium and let it mix for about 5 to 7 minutes or until you have a smooth dough.

7. Grease a large bowl with some vegetable oil and take the dough out of the mixer and pull it together with your hands to form a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for an hour.

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Steps in Preparing the Dough

STEPS IN SHAPING THE UBE ENSAYMADA

1. When doubled in size, punch the dough down and roll it out onto a floured surface and divide into 12.

2. Take one dough and roll into a 12 inch ruler size.

3. Roll the dough inwards.

4. Until it becomes a circle. Do the rest of the dough.

5. Then put the dough in the ensaymada pan and cover with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for an hour.

6. Preheat oven for 350°F and prepare the topping such as grating the cheese.

7. Place the ensaymada pan in the oven for 25 minutes or until browned.

8. Brush with melted butter.

9. Drizzle with grated cheese.

10. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

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How to shape the ube ensaymada