Below is the classic Christmas Ensaymada (the soft, fluffy, buttery version everyone loves), followed by tips to reduce calories if you want a lighter version.
🎄 Classic Filipino Christmas Ensaymada (Soft & Fluffy)
Makes 12 pieces
⭐ Ingredients
For the dough:
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
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¼ cup sugar
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½ tsp salt
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3 egg yolks
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½ cup warm milk
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¼ cup warm water
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¼ cup melted butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
For the topping:
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½ cup softened butter
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½ cup sugar (for sprinkling)
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1 cup grated cheddar cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the dough
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In a bowl, mix warm water + yeast + 1 tsp sugar. Let bloom 5 minutes.
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In another bowl, mix flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
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Add egg yolks, warm milk, melted butter, vanilla, and the yeast mixture.
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Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
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Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
2️⃣ Shape
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Punch down dough.
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Divide into 12 balls.
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Roll each piece into a rope, then coil like a snail shell.
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Place on a greased tray or into ensaymada molds.
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Let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
3️⃣ Bake
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Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden.
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Cool slightly.
4️⃣ Finish (the classic way!)
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Brush each warm ensaymada with softened butter.
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Sprinkle generously with sugar.
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Top with a mountain of grated cheddar cheese.
Soft, sweet, buttery perfection. 💛
🎀 LOW-CALORIE Ensaymada Tips (if you want a lighter version)
You can’t make zero-calorie bread, but you can make a lighter version:
✔️ Reduce butter topping by half
✔️ Use coconut sugar or less sugar on top
✔️ Use low-fat cheese
✔️ Use just 1 egg yolk instead of 3
✔️ Airbrush butter lightly instead of spreading thickly
✔️ Make mini ensaymadas for portion control
If you want, I can give you a fully lightened version recipe that cuts calories by 40–50%.
Would you like:
🎅 The lower-calorie Ensaymada recipe?
🧀 A cream cheese Ensaymada version?
🍫 A chocolate Ensaymada?
Just tell me!
