All Recipes
Search Recipes

Popular Searches

Search Recipes

Back to Merienda Recipes

Ensaymada

Prep 3 hrs
Cook 15 min
Servings 12
Difficulty Medium
Recipe by Chef Mila |

Ensaymada

Buttery Filipino Sweet Bread with Cheese

Prep Time 3 hrs
Cook Time 15 min
Servings 12
Difficulty Medium
Ensaymada

About This Recipe

Ensaymada is a Filipino brioche-like bread with Spanish (Majorcan) origins. This soft, buttery bread is distinguished by its coil shape and generous toppings of butter, sugar, and grated cheese - a uniquely Filipino twist on the original. From humble bakeries to premium gifting versions with queso de bola, ensaymada holds a special place in Filipino hearts.

The dough requires patience for proper rising, but the result is an incredibly soft, pillowy bread that practically melts in your mouth. Paired with hot chocolate or coffee, ensaymada is the ultimate Filipino comfort breakfast or merienda.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup warm milk

For the Topping:

  • 1/2 cup butter, very soft
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or queso de bola)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make the Dough

    Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add egg yolks and warm milk. Mix until dough forms. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add softened butter gradually, kneading until fully incorporated.

  2. 2

    First Rise

    Place dough in greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

  3. 3

    Shape the Ensaymada

    Divide dough into 12 pieces. Roll each into a long rope (about 12 inches). Flatten the rope, spread with softened butter, then coil into a spiral. Place in greased muffin cups or on baking sheets.

  4. 4

    Second Rise

    Cover and let rise for another 1-2 hours until puffy and doubled.

  5. 5

    Bake and Top

    Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until light golden. While still warm, brush generously with soft butter, sprinkle with sugar, and top with grated cheese. Serve warm!

Tips & Variations

Soft Butter

Use room temperature butter for the dough and very soft butter for brushing. It should spread easily.

Ube Ensaymada

Add ube extract to the dough and fill with ube halaya before coiling for purple ensaymada.

Queso de Bola

For special occasions, use aged Edam cheese (queso de bola) - the classic Christmas pairing.