Description
This Cheesy Ensaymada with Cream Cheese Filling is a soft and buttery Filipino bread roll filled with a sweet cream cheese center and topped with butter, sugar, and grated cheese. It’s a comforting, bakery-style merienda perfect for pairing with coffee or hot chocolate.
Ingredients
-
- Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large egg yolks
-
- Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar (for sprinkling)
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Combine warm milk, water, and sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast over and let it foam for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture, egg yolks, and melted butter. Stir to form a sticky dough.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise 1–2 hours, or until doubled.
- Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Set aside.
- Punch down dough and divide into 12–15 portions. Flatten each, fill with 1 tsp cream cheese mixture, and seal into a ball.
- Place in greased ensaymada molds or muffin tin. Let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly.
- While warm, brush with butter, sprinkle sugar, and top with grated cheese.
Notes
- Add ube halaya to the cream cheese for a Filipino twist.
- Use bread flour for a chewier dough if preferred.
- Make mini versions for parties or gifting.
- Skip the filling for a classic-style ensaymada.
- Ensure liquids are warm, not hot, to activate yeast properly.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
