Ensaymada

Name: Ensaymada
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 138 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 500g bread flour; 7g instant yeast; 100g sugar; 3 eggs; 200ml warm milk; 100g butter, softened (plus more for brushing); 1 tsp salt; 150g grated aged cheese (queso de bola); Extra sugar for topping; Extra butter for brushing

Ensaymada (en-say-MAH-dah)

Filipino Butter-Cheese Bread

⏱ Prep Time 3 hours

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 376 kcal

A soft, brioche-like spiral bread brushed with butter, topped with sugar and a generous blanket of grated cheese — a sweet-savory Filipino pastry perfect with hot chocolate.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 10.0g

Carbs 48.0g

Fat 16.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

stand mixer rolling pin baking pan parchment paper

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper-lined basket or individual parchment cups

Garnishes: grated cheese, sugar

Accompaniments: tsokolate (hot chocolate), coffee

Ingredients

500g bread flour
7g instant yeast
100g sugar
3 eggs
200ml warm milk
100g butter, softened (plus more for brushing)
1 tsp salt
150g grated aged cheese (queso de bola)
Extra sugar for topping
Extra butter for brushing

Instructions

1
Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add eggs and warm milk. Knead 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2
Add softened butter gradually, kneading until the dough is silky and passes the windowpane test. Rest 1 hour until doubled.
3
Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a long rope, flatten, brush with butter, and coil into a spiral.
4
Place spirals on a buttered baking pan. Cover and proof 45 minutes until puffy.
5
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 15-18 minutes until golden.
6
Brush hot ensaymada with butter, sprinkle with sugar, and top generously with grated cheese.

💡

Did You Know?

The most famous ensaymada in the Philippines, from the bakery Mary Grace, can sell for over $10 each and are a prized pasalubong (homecoming gift) for travelers.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

stand mixer
rolling pin
baking pan
parchment paper

Garnishing

grated cheese, sugar

Accompaniments

tsokolate (hot chocolate), coffee

The Story Behind Ensaymada

Ensaymada traces its roots to the ensaimada of Mallorca, Spain, which uses lard (saim) in the dough. Filipino bakers replaced the lard with butter and added the distinctive cheese topping that makes the Filipino version unique. During the colonial era, ensaymada became the traditional pairing for thick tsokolate (Spanish hot chocolate), a merienda tradition that continues today. Premium ensaymada topped with queso de bola is a beloved Christmas gift.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed merienda, christmas, paired with hot chocolate 📜 Origins: Spanish colonial, adapted from Mallorcan ensaimada

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