Ube Ensaymada: Soft Purple Yam Brioche with Butter, Sugar and Cheese
Ube ensaymada is a soft, buttery brioche-style bread colored purple with ube halaya, brushed with butter and topped with sugar and grated cheese. It is rich, sweet and savory in one bite.
About Ube Ensaymada
Ensaymada is the Filipino version of the Spanish ensaimada, a coiled, buttery sweet bread. Filipino bakers topped it with butter, sugar and cheese, and it became the bread of merienda, gifts and Christmas baskets. The purple ube version, made with the yam jam, is a more recent favorite.
The dough is enriched with eggs and butter, so it needs time to rise and a little patience to knead. The result is a pillowy bread that stays soft for days. The purple color comes from ube halaya, with a little ube flavoring if you want it deeper.
Ingredient notes
- Bread flour or all-purpose flour: bread flour gives a more elastic crumb.
- Instant yeast: no proofing needed; mix it into the flour.
- Ube halaya: mashed purple yam jam, worked into the dough for flavor and color.
- Butter, eggs and milk: make the dough rich and soft.
- Grated cheddar: the salty finish.
Tips for the best Ube Ensaymada
- Knead until smooth. The dough should be elastic and pass a windowpane test.
- Let it rise fully. Doubling in size takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Roll thin, coil tight. A thin strip makes the pattern spiral.
- Brush with butter while hot. It soaks in and keeps the crust soft.
What to serve with Ube Ensaymada
Serve warm or at room temperature with Tsokolate for merienda. It is also a good bread for gift boxes at Christmas, next to Polvoron.
Variations and substitutions
- Classic ensaymada: leave out the ube and use plain dough.
- With ube filling: spread ube halaya inside before coiling.
- With queso de bola: top with grated queso de bola.
- Mini ensaymada: make 24 small rolls and shorten the baking time.
Storing and reheating
Keep in an airtight container for 2 days at room temperature or freeze for up to a month. Warm in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dough not rising?
The yeast may be old or the room too cold. Use a warm place.
Can I make it without ube halaya?
Yes, with ube flavoring and a splash of extra milk.
How do I get a deeper purple?
Add a few drops of ube flavoring or purple food coloring.
More Filipino recipes you might like
Ube Halaya, Puto and Turon.
