Irresistible 3 Days Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe (Purple Yam Soft Bread)
Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe (Purple Yam Soft Bread)
If you’re looking for a Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe that stays soft, fluffy, and delicious even after a few days, you’ve come to the right place. This Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe uses simple ingredients, requires no stand mixer, and is topped with creamy ube butter and grated cheddar cheese.
Ensaymada is one of the most loved Filipino breads. Traditionally inspired by the Spanish ensaimada, the Filipino version has evolved into a richer, softer bread topped with butter, sugar, and grated cheese. Over the years, many delicious variations have appeared, and one of the most popular is Ube Ensaymada. The beautiful purple color, subtle ube flavor, creamy butter topping, and salty cheddar cheese make every bite irresistible.
One of the secrets behind this recipe is the addition of cornstarch. While all-purpose flour provides the structure, cornstarch helps reduce gluten formation, resulting in a softer, finer, and more tender crumb. Combined with proper kneading and careful proofing, this bread stays soft for up to 3 days when stored properly.
This recipe is also made without a stand mixer, making it perfect for home bakers. Although the dough starts out sticky, don’t be tempted to add too much flour. Patience during kneading is what gives you soft and fluffy ensaymada instead of dense bread.
Whether you’re baking for your family, giving homemade gifts, or starting a small baking business, this recipe is easy to follow and consistently produces beautiful, soft ube ensaymada.
Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe – 8 Helpful Tips
1. Blooming Instant Yeast
Although instant yeast doesn’t always require blooming, doing so helps confirm that your yeast is still active. If it becomes foamy after 5 – 10 minutes, it’s ready to use. If not, replace the yeast before proceeding.
2. Expect a Sticky Dough
The dough will feel sticky during the first several minutes of kneading. This is completely normal. Resist adding lots of extra flour because too much flour will make the bread dense instead of soft.
3. Add Flour Gradually
Only add 1 to 3 tablespoons of extra flour if absolutely necessary while kneading. The dough becomes smoother and easier to handle as gluten develops.
4. Why Cornstarch Makes the Bread Softer
Cornstarch contains no gluten. By replacing a portion of the flour with cornstarch, the dough develops less gluten, producing a finer, softer, and fluffier texture. It also helps the bread remain tender longer instead of becoming tough the next day.
5. Can I Use Bread Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes. Bread flour can be used and will produce slightly chewier bread because of its higher protein content. If your goal is an ultra-soft ensaymada, the combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch works wonderfully.
6. Why Vegetable Shortening is Recommended
Vegetable shortening produces softer bread with a longer shelf life because it remains stable at room temperature and coats the flour more effectively. Butter can absolutely be used – as shown in this recipe – but shortening generally keeps bread softer for a longer period.
7. Don’t Add the Milk and Sugar Together
When preparing the butter topping, beat the butter first, then add the evaporated milk. After that, gradually add the powdered sugar. Adding the milk and powdered sugar at the same time can make the mixture watery and difficult to whip properly.
8. Mist the Dough Before Baking
A light spray of water before baking helps prevent the surface from drying too quickly, allowing better oven spring and a softer crust.
Irresistible 3 Days Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe (Purple Yam Soft Bread)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour 360 g
- 4½ tablespoons cornstarch 50 g
- â…“ cup white sugar 80 g
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon ube flavoring adjust depending on brand
- 1 teaspoon ube food coloring adjust depending on brand
- 3 tablespoons butter or vegetable shortening
Yeast Mixture
- 1½ teaspoons yeast
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter softened but still cold
- 1 tablespoon evaporated milk
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar 55 g
- 1 teaspoon ube flavoring
- ½ teaspoon ube food coloring
Additional
- Grated cheddar cheese
- 1 –3 tablespoons all-purpose flour for kneading
- Water spray bottle
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast mixture by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it bloom for 5–10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Mix.
- Add the evaporated milk, egg, ube flavoring, and ube coloring. Mix until combined.
- Add the butter and continue mixing.
- Knead the dough for about 15 minutes until smooth. Add only small amounts of flour if necessary.
- Lightly grease the dough with cooking oil. Cover and let rise for 1 – 2 hours or until doubled.
- Divide into 16 pieces weighing approximately 55 – 60 grams each. Shape into balls.
- Grease the molds with cooking oil and place each dough inside.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Using a bottle spray, lightly mist the dough with water.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 15 – 17 minutes.
- Allow the bread to cool completely.
- Prepare the topping by beating the butter until light and creamy.
- Add the evaporated milk and beat again.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth.
- Mix in the ube flavoring and coloring. Mix.
- Spread the butter topping over each cooled ensaymada.
- Finish with plenty of grated cheddar cheese.
Other Ways of Cooking
Can I Bake This in an Air Fryer?
Yes, provided your air fryer is large enough and you use air fryer-safe molds.
- Preheat to 160°C.
- Air fry for 10 – 14 minutes.
- Check a few minutes early since every air fryer cooks differently.
For the softest results and more even baking, a conventional oven is still recommended.
Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe Storage Tips
Proper storage helps keep your homemade Ube Ensaymada soft and delicious for longer.
Room Temperature
For the best quality, store the plain baked Ube Ensaymada (without the butter topping and cheese) in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying out.
If the ensaymada has already been topped with the butter mixture and grated cheese, it is best enjoyed the same day. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it because the topping contains butter and evaporated milk.
Refrigerator
Store topped or plain Ube Ensaymada in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Refrigeration can make the bread firmer, which is completely normal.
Before serving, let topped ensaymada sit at room temperature for about 15 – 20 minutes to soften the butter topping. If storing plain bread, warm each piece in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 3–5 minutes until soft.
Freezer
For the best quality, freeze the plain baked Ube Ensaymada without the butter topping and cheese. Allow the bread to cool completely, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature for 30 – 60 minutes, then warm in the microwave for 15 – 20 seconds or in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 5 – 8 minutes until soft. Let the bread cool slightly before spreading the freshly made ube butter topping and finishing with grated cheddar cheese.
Freezing fully decorated Ube Ensaymada is not recommended, as the butter topping may separate and the grated cheese can lose its texture after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my dough so sticky?
This is completely normal. Sticky dough produces softer bread. Continue kneading instead of adding excessive flour.
Can I skip the cornstarch?
You can, but the bread may not be as soft or fine-textured. Cornstarch helps create a more tender crumb.
Can I use bread flour?
Yes, but the bread will be slightly chewier because bread flour contains more protein than all-purpose flour.
Can I use vegetable shortening instead of butter?
Yes. This recipe uses butter, which gives the ensaymada a rich, delicious flavor. However, you can substitute it with vegetable shortening if you prefer. Shortening tends to produce a softer crumb and can help the bread stay soft a little longer because it has a higher fat content and no water. I used butter in this recipe simply because I didn’t have vegetable shortening available at the time.
Why should I spray water before baking?
A light mist helps keep the dough surface from drying out too quickly during baking, encouraging better oven spring and a softer crust.
Why did my butter topping become watery?
This usually happens when the evaporated milk and powdered sugar are added together. Beat the butter first, then the milk, and finally add the powdered sugar gradually.
Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe Video
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https://www.youtube.com/@onyokkokok8538
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Filipino Recipes & Cooking – Welcome to Onyok Kokok Kitchen
Final Note
I hope you enjoy making this Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe as much as I do. With the right kneading technique, proper proofing, and a delicious ube butter topping, this Soft Ube Ensaymada Recipe is sure to become one of your favorite homemade bread recipes.
