Ube Ensaymada

Ingredients for Ube Ensaymada

• 4 1/2 cups high-grade flour, plus more for kneading
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for yeast mixture
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup full-cream milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ube flavocol (ube flavor extract), divided
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon yeast
• Ube jam, as needed
• Margarine, as needed
• White sugar, as needed
• Grated edam or cheddar cheese, as needed

How to cook Ube Ensaymada

1. 1.Mix lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and yeast; let stand until foamy. Sift flour, 3/4 cup sugar, and salt together.
2. 2.Whisk milk, egg yolks, and whole eggs. Knead dry ingredients with yeast mixture, then add egg mixture until dough forms.
3. 3.Knead in cold butter, one cube at a time, for 20 to 25 minutes until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticking to the bowl.
4. 4.Cover and let dough double in a warm place; for deeper flavor, refrigerate tightly covered for 12 to 48 hours, then bring out.
5. 5.Deflate dough and fold in ube flavocol for a marbled effect. Divide into 24 pieces, fill each with ube jam, seal, and proof until doubled.
6. 6.Bake at 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes until light brown. Cool, spread with margarine and sugar, then top with grated cheese.