Ensaymada

A traditional Filipino snack can easily be recreated in your home. When making this snack, keep in mind that you can never have it rise too long. The longer you rise the dough for, the ensaymada will be even fluffier.

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

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 egg yolks
• 1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 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
• ¼ 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.