Description
Soft, buttery Filipino ensaymada rolls crowned with melted butter, sugar, and a generous snowfall of sharp cheddar. Pillowy crumb, sweet-salty finish, and pure merienda comfort.
Ingredients
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- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (for topping)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for finishing)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Warm the oven to 175°C, then switch it off to create a cozy spot for proofing. You will bake later at the same temperature.
- Combine Ingredients: Bloom the yeast in the warm milk with 1 teaspoon of the sugar until foamy. In a bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, egg yolks, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Lightly grease a large bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let rise in the warm oven or a draft-free area until doubled, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Assemble the Dish: Punch down the dough and divide into 12 portions. Roll each into a strip and coil into a bun. Arrange in greased muffin tins or on a parchment-lined tray.
- Cook to Perfection: Let the shaped buns proof again until puffy, then bake at 175°C for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Finishing Touches: While warm, brush generously with melted butter. Dust with powdered sugar and shower with grated cheddar.
- Serve and Enjoy: Rest 5 minutes, then serve warm with coffee or hot chocolate.
Notes
- Note: For an extra tender crumb, stop adding flour as soon as the dough pulls cleanly from the bowl.
- Proofing time varies with room temperature, so watch the dough rather than the clock.
- Use good-quality sharp cheddar for the classic sweet-salty contrast.
- Brush butter while the buns are warm so it melts into the crumb.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ensaymada
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg