Easy Homemade Ube Pandesal Deliciously Rushed (2024)

This twist on the classic Filipino breakfast staple, Ube Pandesal, adds a delightful touch to the most popular bread in the Philippines by infusing it with the unique and vibrant flavors of purple yam, making mornings even more delicious.

I have a bit of an obsession with all things purple and ube-flavored, so much so that I've dedicated a whole section on this blog to all things ube! Whether it's whipping up batches of ube rolls, indulging in ube crinkles, savoring the goodness of ube sopapilla, ube brownie or flipping some delightful ube pancakes, there's something magical about that vibrant hue and unique flavor. Among my repertoire, this popular ube pandesal has become a regular in my kitchen. Even though we're surrounded by fantastic Filipino bakeries here in OC, the allure of a hot, freshly made bread is just irresistible. There's nothing quite like that warm, comforting aroma wafting through the kitchen. So, when the ube cravings strike, there's no holding back – it's officially ube pandesal time!

What is Ube?

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a jewel of Filipino cuisine. Its natural sweetness and vibrant hue make it a popular ingredient in various dishes, and incorporating it into pandesal elevates the bread to a whole new level.

Pandesal is a Morning Tradition

Back in the day, my wakeup call was the jingle of bells and the continuous vendor's enthusiastic shout of 'PAN-DE-SALLLLLLL' outside, signaling the start of a morning adventure – the dash to snag some freshly baked pandesal. Those warm, golden rolls were the key to a perfect breakfast. You could get creative – slap on some cheese, peanut butter, or throw in a bit of spam, egg or bacon, basically anything your heart fancied. But for me, there was something heavenly about keeping it simple, just enjoying it plain. A warm pandesal with a side of hot choco or coffee? Now, that's what I call the recipe for sweet memories. It's more than just bread; it's a comforting tradition that brings back all the feels with every delicious bite.

Flavors of Pandesal

People are more creative nowadays, aside from my favorite plain and ube pandesal, here are some more other variations you can try.

1. Cheese-filled Pandesal:
   • Add a savory twist by incorporating cheese into the dough or stuffing each pandesal with your favorite cheese.
2. Coco Pandesal:
   • Mix desiccated coconut into the dough to create a tropical and coconut-flavored pandesal.
3. Spanish Bread Pandesal:
   • Roll the dough with a butter-sugar-cinnamon filling for a sweet and buttery taste reminiscent of Spanish bread.
4. Pandesal with Malunggay:
   • Boost the nutritional content by adding malunggay (moringa) leaves to the dough for a healthy and green pandesal.
5. Whole Wheat Pandesal:
   • Use whole wheat flour for a heartier and healthier version of this Filipino favorite.
6. Pandesal with Ham and Cheese:
   • Incorporate diced ham and cheese into the dough for a savory and filling breakfast treat.
7. Tsokolate Pandesal:
   • Mix cocoa powder into the dough and pair the pandesal with a cup of traditional Filipino tsokolate (hot chocolate).
8. Peanut Butter-filled Pandesal:
   • Stuff each pandesal with a dollop of peanut butter for a nutty and satisfying twist.
9. Pandan Pandesal:
   • Infuse the dough with pandan extract for a fragrant and subtly sweet pandesal.
10. Chicken Adobo Pandesal:
    • Incorporate shredded chicken adobo into the dough for a savory and Filipino-flavored pandesal.
11. Corned Beef Pandesal:
    • Mix in corned beef for a hearty and flavorful twist to your pandesal.

Note: There are many more flavors to explore, but these are among the popular ones.

Feel free to get creative and experiment with these diverse flavors and fillings to make your pandesal experience even more unique!

🥘Ingredients

1. All-purpose flour
   • Use high-quality all-purpose flour. All-purpose flour provides the base structure for the pandesal. Opting for high-quality flour ensures better texture and taste in the final product.
2. Sugar
   • Adjust sugar quantity based on desired sweetness.
3. Active dry yeast
   • Quality yeast is crucial for proper fermentation, which contributes to the rise and texture of the pandesal. Red Star brand is known for its consistent performance.
4. Lukewarm milk (110 degrees Fahrenheit):
   • Warm milk activates the yeast, initiating fermentation and helping the dough rise. Maintaining the temperature at around 110 degrees Fahrenheit ensures optimal yeast activation.
5. Egg:
   • Eggs act as a binding agent and provide moisture to the dough. Fresh eggs ensure better texture and flavor in the final product.
6. Butter
   • Butter adds richness and flavor to the pandesal. Softening it ensures it mixes evenly into the dough, contributing to its soft texture and enhancing its taste.
7. Ube halaya or jam:
   • Ube halaya or jam adds flavor and color to the pandesal, giving it its distinctive purple hue and sweet taste. Opting for high-quality ube products ensures better flavor and color in the final product.
8. Ube extract (optional):
   • Ube extract enhances the ube flavor and intensifies the purple color of the pandesal. Its use is optional and can be adjusted based on personal preference or availability of ingredients.
9. 1 teaspoon salt:
   • Salt enhances the overall flavor profile of the pandesal, balancing out the sweetness and bringing out the other flavors.
10. Breadcrumbs
    • Coating the pandesal with breadcrumbs adds a crispy exterior texture. Fresh breadcrumbs adhere better to the dough and result in a more appealing final texture.

🔪Step-by-Step Guide

1. Activate the Yeast

In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Allow it to sit until frothy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to work its magic.

2. Mix and Knead

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, egg, melted butter, ube halaya, ube extract and the activated yeast mixture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough will be very sticky. You can put a bit of oil on your hand so it doesnt stick too much.

3. Let it Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled in size. This step allows the yeast to work its fermentation wonders, creating that soft and airy texture.

4. Shape and Fill

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into individual portions. Flatten each portion, add a dollop of Ube, and enclose it, forming a ball. Roll the balls in breadcrumbs for that perfect crust.

5. Bake to Perfection

Arrange the Ube-filled dough balls on a baking sheet, leaving enough space for them to rise. Bake at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until golden brown and delightfully fragrant.

TIP: Refrigerate Overnight for Fresh Morning Baking

After shaping the pandesal dough into rolls, you can refrigerate them overnight. Place the shaped rolls on a baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them chill in the refrigerator. This extended resting time not only enhances the flavor but also allows for a slow rise, resulting in a more developed taste and texture. In the morning, simply take the chilled pandesal dough out of the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature, then bake as usual. This convenient method ensures you have freshly baked pandesal ready to enjoy with minimal effort in the morning!

📋 Recipe