Ensaymada

The favorite Filipino snack ensaymada, the sweet pastry that's baked golden and topped with cheese, is made easy with this recipe.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 155 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 egg yolks
• 1 cup melted butter, divided
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
• 1 tablespoon melted butter, or as needed
• 1 cup warm water, divided
• 1 tablespoon white sugar, or as needed
• 0.5 cup milk
• 1.5 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 0.25 cup grated Cheddar cheese, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1/2 cup water.

Step 3

Combine remaining water, egg yolks, flour, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter, milk, and salt in a bowl. Stir in yeast mixture until a dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead until dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, adding more flour as needed.

Step 4

Place dough into a greased bowl and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 5

Divide dough into 1-ounce balls. Roll out each ball into a thin rectangle and brush with remaining 1/3 cup melted butter. Roll dough lengthwise and shape. Place onto a baking sheet. Cover and let rise until light and dough is soft, about 30 minutes.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and easy to pick up off of the baking sheet, about 15 minutes.

Step 7

Remove from the oven and brush warm tops with melted butter, dust with sugar, and sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Serve warm.