Ensaymada – Sweet Filippino Buns (2024)

When I was asked to do a Guest Post for “Go Bake Yourself“, I was extremely excited by the opportunity! The author, Choc Chip Uru is a young teen who grew up in Aussie land. She’s definitely one of the most inspiring teens I have ever met to date! I must say, don’t judge a book by its cover! A dedicated baker with a sweet tooth, Uru has started baking since she was little and her impeccable baking skills has taken the blogging world by a storm! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how this wonderful young baker has so many followers on her blog!

Anyway, I decided to bake up an ensaymada as my guest post. You can also find the post here

While living in global cities, it is not uncommon to have friends from all walks of life. The best part about it is that you also get to exchange cultures, be it in the form of language, values, and most importantly, FOOD. Now having said that, one of my best friends who grew up in Vancouver, Hambie, is of Filipino descent. It should not come as a surprise that I grew to learn a fair bit of this fellow Southeast Asian culture, due to our frequent girls’ night out, study sesh-es, and dinner dates. But let’s also not forget “Le rendez-vouz de la maison”. This is when your best friend’s mum invites you over for dinner and showcases her best dishes. Filipinos are one of the most hospitable people who enjoy sharing, especially via the channel of food! Aside from our frequent dinners at Pin Pin, a Filipino home is where I learned of the various traditional cuisines that my friends and their families consume on a daily basis.

When I just got to know her, I recall a certain “rendez-vous de la maison” where Hambie offered me some bread to snack on. Being of Singaporean descent, my first instinct is to always say “no” out of courtesy. Yes, it is considered impolite to ask for food when visiting others’ homes, but when offered, always say “no” first. If thought bubbles could be seen above one’s head, mine at the time would have been the vivid image of my mum pulling me to a corner and saying, “Don’t trouble others. Say no!”. However those buns looked too damn good to pass up and Hambie could see my eyes beaming with delight as I tried to contain my drool…

“Try it! It’s really good. Don’t be shy! My food is your food too!” she said with a smile. This was when I first had a taste of the amazing Ensaymada. A sweet bread rolled in a spiral or tied in a knot with sugar sprinkled on top, and paired with some savoury shredded cheddar to finish. As you bite into the fluffy dough, the mix of sweet and savoury delight sends you straight to org*sm.

Hooked.

That was the only word I could use to describe my feelings towards a Filipino bakery. I very much enjoy the numerous items one can find in a Filipino bakery, but I gotta say, this is still my favourite Pinoy bun!

This year, I received a Goldilocks recipe book from a very special and sweet friend of mine in Vancouver. I couldn’t be happier with the thoughtful gift. I was already fortunate enough to be introduced to such a wonderful cuisine, but the thought that I was able to learn to cook and bake (more so bake) it was overwhelmingly enchanting.

Without further ado, I present to you my first attempt in making the delicious Ensaymada! Enjoy!

Ensaymada

makes 8 Ensaymada buns
adapted from Goldilocks Bake Book by Milagros Leelin Yee & Clarita Leelin Go

• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• Topping: creamed butter, grated cheddar cheese, sugar (to taste)

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup of water. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl with dough hook, place sifted all-purpose flour, sugar and salt. Mix at low speed until incorporated.
3. Add the dissolved yeast, remaining water, eggs and evaporated milk. Mix for 2 minutes at low speed then mix at medium speed for approximately 4 minutes.
4. Add unsalted butter and continue mixing until gluten is slightly developed.
5. Transfer the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic.
6. Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature.
7. Punch down the dough and divide it into pieces weighing 60 grams each.
8. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes then cover with plastic sheet to prevent from drying.
9. Roll out the pieces thinly into 8″x5″ rectangles. Brush surface with butter.
10. Roll into a long rod and twirl into shape, locking ends to seal.
11. Place each piece in a greased ensaymada moulder.
12. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size. (Approximately 1 1/2 hours at room temperature)
13. Bake for 17 minutes at 325 F or until golden in colour.
14. Let the bread cool then remove it from moulder.
15. Brush the top of each ensaymada with creamed butter and sprinkle with grated cheese and sugar.

Cheers!