This Easy Ube Pandesal with Cheese filling is made with ube powder. They stay soft, pillowy and moist for days after baking.
With the rise to the worldwide fame of our humble ube or purple yam, came a lot of new food ideas and creations starring this pretty purple/violet root crop. From ube halaya, ice cream, cakes, cheesecake, and other delicacies, there seems to be no limit as to what you can make with ube.
These days, ube cheese pandesal seems to take the spotlight in the local scene. A variation of the traditional Filipino breakfast bread, Pandesal. And why not, we Filipinos love our pandesal, be it for breakfast or afternoon snack. And Ube Pandesal with melty cheese filling is perfect for both.
Ube Powder VS. Fresh Ube
This recipe uses ube powder that is now widely available in baking supply shops or even online. Alternatively, purple yam jam (ube halaya) can also be used. Just reduce the sugar as it usually contains sweetener already. Of course, fresh ube can also be used. It has to be boiled and then mashed. I would say to use about half a cup to ¾ cup of ube jam for this recipe.
The ube powder is first rehydrated with hot water that will have a consistency similar to ube halaya. This will be added in making the dough. It will create a sticky dough. But because of the high water absorption of the ube powder, the resulting bread will be soft and moist even for several days after it is baked.
I get a lot of comment from others who used ube powder but theirs turned watery when hot water was added instead of absorbing the liquids. I think this is not the real ube powder starch but is used for flavoring only. If this is what you have, then I recommend using our regular Pandesal recipe and just add the ube powder flavor to the dough, dissolved in little water.
Notes on this Ube Pandesal:
- This makes a very sticky dough. As you knead the dough the stickiness will lessen. To handle it better instead of adding more flour, grease your hands with oil so the dough will not stick. Do the same to the surface where you will knead.
- I used instant yeast for this recipe. Using dry active yeast takes longer time for the dough to rise than using instant yeast.
- If you do not have the time, prepare the dough the night before. You can refrigerate it after kneading or once they are filled and formed. Cover with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Before using it, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before going on the next step. I recommend using dry-active yeast if you are going this route.
- I used oil instead of butter for this recipe. Butter gives bread richer flavor but since this is already a flavored bread so I opted for oil which makes it softer and stays soft longer.
Printable Recipe
Ube Pandesal with Cheese
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ube powder
- ¾ cup hot water -only if using ube powder
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil - plus more for greasing
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tablespoon liquid ube extract (optional)
- 1 block quick melt cheese (165g) - cut into 12 cubes
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs - for coating
Instructions
- Place ube powder in a bowl. Pour in hot water and stir until completely rehydrated.
- In a large bowl, add flour, sugar, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Pour in warm milk and oil and add the egg and mix. Add the yeast and mix again.
- Add the rehydrated ube and ube extract (if using) and mix well until well combined. It will be very heavy and sticky. Use your hand greased with oil if you have to or use a stand mixer.
- Tip the dough on a flat surface. Rub oil to both hands and knead for 7-10 minutes or until soft and smooth. Do the windowpane test to check. (SEE NOTE )
- Form the dough into a ball and lightly coat with oil. Place it back the large bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm area and let it rise until it almost doubled in size. Depending on how warm it is, could take 30 minutes to an hour or more.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal parts using a knife or dough slicer. Shape a part into a rectangle and then divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Repeat the same with the other half.
- Flatten a ball and place a cube of cheese at the center. Fold the sides of the dough enclosing the cheese cube inside. Form it again into a ball and roll it in breadcrumbs, completely covering all sides.
- Arrange the pieces on a baking sheet living some gaps in between (at least an inch). Leave them to rise for another 30 minutes. While waiting, preheat oven 340° F /170°C. Bake the Ube Pandesal for 20 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove from oven and serve while hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Ams says
Can I use bread flour? If yes, do I need to change any measurement on other ingredients? Thanks!
Bebs says
Just use the same amount, but note that it may be a little chewy.
Nina says
Hi! How will using bread flour affect the pandesal? Or qould it be okay to use 1:3 breadflour to APF? Thanks! 🙂
Sylph says
Hello there! Thank you for sharing this recipe. Our family tried it and it’s a hit! You are truly amazing Ms. Bebs! Kudos!
Bebs says
Hi Sylph, thanks for the nice comment.
Jo says
Hi,it came out good ,but the next day it was dry.How can i make it moist just for few days.thanks!
winkle tipay says
i'm going to try this today but just have a question, do i add more flour if the dough is still sticky? i'm here in texas and it's very humid here so i always end up using more flour than the recipe requires...if i do add flour, how much should i add? thanks!
Bebs says
Hi, we are in the Philippines and it is also very humid here so maybe no need to add more flour. I suggest greasing your hands with little oil so it is easier to knead the sticky dough. It will lessen as you knead and when it rise.
Peter says
Tried this and used boiled Ube and the result, sobrang lambot at sarap!
Ate Bebs, effective din po ba ang recipe na ito sa classic na pand3sal kapag tangalin ko ang ube?
Bebs says
Hi Peter, ube kasi absorbs a lot of liquid so the resulting bread is also moist and soft. For pandesal try adding 1/4 cup of potato flour (for every 3 cups of flour) or add tangzhong (check my white bread recipe)
Monica says
Hi! Thanks for this recipe!
I will be using Ube Powder Flavouring and not the real ube that is powdered. Do I still need to add water? Or do I just add the powder directly together with the dry ingredients? Will it still be the same measurement?
Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi Monica, I think you should still dissolve it in some water. I haven't tried it myself so I cannot what measurement works. Also remember that adding ube powder is responsible for making it moist and super soft. Like adding potato starch to bread as it absobrs a lot of liquid.
Alma Carandang says
Hi Bebs! First of all, I love your website, I learn so much from your posts! Where are you from in Pampanga? I live there too, in Sapang Bato Angeles. Anyway, I wanted to ask, is the ube powder almost same as using the halaya or simply the mashed boiled ube? I am considering getting some because I also want to make ube macarons that uses ube powder. Thanks so much!
Bebs says
Hi Alma, we now live in Bacolor. Yes, the ube powder I ueusllay get from Chocolate Lovers is similar to mashed cooked ube. I've also used it for making halaya and it was good and you cannot tell the difference.
Jo says
Hi,i was able to follow.It came out really good.But it was dry after a day.what can i do to make it more moist fir at least 3 days.i used fresh ube you think thats the cause? Jo
Bebs says
Hi Jo, you have to store them in container so they will not dry out. And sisnce you did not folow the recipe using the exact ingredients then the result was also not the same.
Jo says
Hi, if I use ube halaya, is it the exact same measurements po as above and exact same ingredients? No changes?
Bebs says
No need to use the hot water if using ube halaya. Use abour 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of it.
Mary says
Hi,
I used ube flavoring which is quite watery , is there any way or any solution to this? Anything that we can add or do so that it wont be very sticky?
Thanks.
Bebs says
If you use ube flavoring only then skip the hot water for hydrating the ube powder. The dough should be sticky (but not overly so) to have soft and moist buns. Dry dough=dry buns.
Ruth says
Hi. Tried making it but the cheese burst out from the dough. 🙁
Bebs says
Try either to cut your cheese smaller or using more dough. Make sure that the seams are pinch tighlty so it will not open up when the bread rise.
Stephanie says
Hi Bebs, I couldn’t find ube powder here in Australia. However, I found this giant jar of ube halaya. What’s the measurement if I wanna use halaya instead? This looks super delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Bebs says
Hi Stephanie, your can add 1/2 up to 3/4 cup of ube halaya. If you have more, I suggest spreading some of it before adding the cheese for the filling.
Leslie Pineda says
Hello po,
Can I use full cream evap milk instead of full cream milk?
Bebs says
Hi Leslie, yes you can . But I suggest diliting it a bit with water.
Ruth Buhain says
Hi! My dough didn’t rise. I’m apprehensive to continue but will see how it works out. Is there a reason why it possibly didn’t rise. Sitting for 40 minutes now.
Bebs says
Depending on many factor actually and 40 minutes is nothing, will work if you have the best condition for rising yeast bread. Wait up to 2 hours or longer if you have a cold kitchen. Try to warm your oven (50°C) for 5 minutes and let it rise there if you are in a hurry. Or cover and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Faye says
Thanks for sharing your recipe! Excited to make ube cheese pandesal this weekend! Just a question! If I'm using active dry yeast, how will it blend in with your recipe? How much of it do I use and do I let it rise in water and sugar? What would be the good measurements for that? Thank you!
Bebs says
Hi Faye, just take about 1/2 cup of the lukewarm water from the recipe and some sugar.
Via says
Hello! Pwd ube halaya nalang gamitin instead of ube powder and water? And kung pwde ube halaya, gano kadami? Tnx
Angela says
Hi! What kind of cheese did you use? Can mozzarella be used? Not sure what block of cheese is required for the filling.
Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi Angela, I used the most available cheese here which is processed cheese and it melts nicely. You can ue cheddar or other cheese that will melt.
Anikka says
I don't have instant yeast can I use active yeast how much? Can i use the milk for proofing
Bebs says
Yes, you can use the same amount. Take some of the liquid from the recipe or replace it with milk but make sure you have the same total amount of liquids in the end.
Tricia says
Hello! Can I just use ube extract instead of ube powder and halaya?
If yes, how many tbsp kaya maam?
Bebs says
Hi Tricia, if using ube extract then just use our pandesal recipe and add that to the dough. I haven't done it myself but I suggest starting with 1 tablespoon.
Tricia says
Thank you Ms Bebs!! I love all your recipes!
Bebs says
You're welcome, Patricia.
Ruth says
hi. tried doing this earlier but most of the cheese burst out from the pandesal. 😔
Bebs says
Hi Ruth, could it be that it was not closed and pinch very well?
Khristine says
Hello Miss Bebs! What is the actual procedure if I will use active dry yeast po?
Bebs says
Hi Khristine, you just need to activate the ADY is some lukewarm liquid taken from the recipe, about 1/4 or 1/2 cup should be fine. Then add the mixture to the flour the same way.
Babes says
It is quite difficult to find ube powder where I am. Am I able to substitute with the ube flavouring/extract instead? In that case, how much do I put? Do I still need to put add the hoy water if I am not using the ube powder?
Thanks.
Love your recipes
Bebs says
Hi Babes, if you are going to use ube extract then just use our plain pandesal recipe and add the extract to the dough. Start with a teaspoon then adjust from there.
Edna says
Love it, taste so good . Thank you
Bebs says
Thanks, Edna.
Apple says
Can I use butter? If I use butter how much butted should I use? Should I melt the butter?
Thanks
Bebs says
Hi Apple, yes you can use melted butter but do not expect the same softness as the one made with oil. Use same amount.
Joy says
Hi, I tried doing this ube pandesal, it turned out well but my dough became so sticky that I can hardly knead it because it sticks to my hands and to the table as well even if I put some oil. As I watched your video, when you mixed the ube powder with hot water, yours stick together, while mine is watery, really liquid. I think this is where I failed. it says in your recipe to mix until re-hydrated, so that means I need to continuously mix it until it comes together? the taste is very good and my family loved it, however I don't have the drive to do it again because of the stickiness of my dough. But would love to do it again, but please help me where I did wrong.
Bebs says
Hi Joy, I mentioned in the article that there are different kinds of ube powder. I think what you used is the flavoring ube powder and not the real ube that is powdered.
margie says
hi!! mine was the same soo sticky and tried kneading it for about 20min but couldnt achieve the windowpane test... i dont know what i did wrong.... the ube powder when mixed was all liquid didnt turn out like yours
Bebs says
You got your answer then, Margie. It is not ube powder so the starch is missing. Just add more flour and bit sugar to save it. But next time use our plain pandesal recipe and add your ube powder flavoring to the liquids.
Mercy says
Hi, can you share the brand of the ube flavoring? It will be my first time to try this and I dont which ube flavoring to buy 😂 Thank you!
Bebs says
Hi Mercy, it is not ube flavoring but ube that is in powder form. I got it from a bake supply shop. Ask them and they should know it.
Lyca says
Hi Bebs just have a few questions for you 🙂
Can i use my stand mixer to knead the dough? And also i have the SAF-Gold instant yeast do i need to proof the yeast first before adding to the mixture or can i use it directly ? Thank you
Bebs says
Hi Lyca, yes you can knead using a stand mixer, it should take about 7-10 minutes. Just perform the windowpane test to know if the dough is well kneaded. If you are sure that your yeast are still active then you can add it directlty to the flour.
Lyca says
Hi Bebs thank you for getting back to me. I just purchased my instant yeast today so that should be good to go. For the warm milk what temperature are we looking at? Can i use fresh 2% or whole milk? And also if I don’t have ube powder what should I substitute it with?
Thank you so much
Bebs says
Hi Lyca, the water should be just warm enough same temperature of water that you can have a warm shower or bath with. Not scalding hot. Substitute fr ube powder are mentioned in the post.
Lyca says
I didn’t have any ube powder so i just made regular pandesal using your recipe it turn out good soft and moist and i also added cheese for filling 🙂 I will post the picture on your FB account:) Thank you
Bebs says
Thanks, Lyca, looking forward to the pics..😘
Jesse says
Hi. I followed the recipe to a T but my dough was so sticky it was so hard to knead. It was sticking to my hands. I’ve done your pandesal and Spanish Bread and was successful on both. On this one, though, I am not sure where I went wrong. I had to add flour while kneading because it was just too sticky. I still came up with a good enough pandesal but I think it could be better. Any thoughts?
Bebs says
Hi Jesse, it could be the ube powder you used. There is one that is for flavoring only and will not absorb the liquids added to it. The real powdered ube should absorb the liquid and turn into something similar to halaya.
Kris says
Good Day
I want to try this recipe, just womndering if I'm using ube halaya which you said 3/4 to substiture the powder, do i do all the same instructions too? Mix my Ube Halaya with the hot water?
Bebs says
Hi Kris, in this case no need to hydrate it because it already is.
Marivic says
Hi! If I’m using my kitchen aid of bread machine to knead how long should I do it for? Or is it even recommended Also, can I use the frozen ube?
Bebs says
If you are going to use frozen or fresh ube, cook it first in some water to get a halaya texture. Knead using stand mixer for 7-10 minutes.
Gigi says
Hi! What kind of cheese did you put in the pandesal? Can I use sharp cheddar ? Thank you. btw, I tried your ensaymada recipe and they’re really good and super soft. Thanks for sharing your recipe 😀
Bebs says
Hi Gigi, sure you can. Thanks for your nice comment.
Gellyn says
Hi! I used ube jam instead of the powder and the dough turned out to be so dry. Do i still need to put the warm water with the ube jam? Because what i did i added 1/3 cup of water just to rehydrate the dough and for it to be sticky? Is it really dense when it’s cooled down? It’s dense but still soft though. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Bebs says
Hi Gellyn, are you sure you used all-purpose flour? 1 cup milk to 3 1/2 cup flour should be fine.
Lynette says
Hi
Can i use ube extract instead of the ube powder? I don’t have ube powder at hand. For the flour, all purpose flour only? No bread flour needed? And the egg should be medium? I only have extra large.
Thank you!!!
Bebs says
If you will use ube extract then just look up our pandesal recipe and add that to the dough. You can use bread flour or 50/50 APF/BF and yes, large egg should still be ok.
Riann says
Hi! I only have ube halaya at home can I use that instead of the powder. If so how much should I use? Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi Riann, please read the post as it is already mentioned above.
Ann says
Hi. Can I substitute bread flour to all-purpose flour? How much should I use for this recipe? Thanks!
Marj says
Hello. My dough came out kind of wet and very sticky. I can not even roll it into a ball. How do I remedy this? It's currently oven for the first rise.
Bebs says
Hi Marj, what kind of ube powder did you use? Did it become too liquid when hot water is added to it?
Chie says
i tried your recipe and my family likes it. The pandesal is soft and yummy. My dough is super sticky and it's so hard to knead it with hands. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Bebs says
Hi Chie, yes it is sticky. My tip is to oil your hands and kneading surface and to knead faster.
Almira says
Tried baking this today and love the texture of the pandesal. It’s my first time to bake bread/pandesal so i was nervous on how sticky the dough was at first. I didn’t have stand mixer so I used my hand to mix the dough and it took me almost 2 hrs of kneading to get the desired texture. But the end result is really good. I like how soft and fluffy the bread is. Maybe next time i can add ube jam for filling so it tastes more ube.
Bebs says
Hi Almira, I am not sure how you managed 2 hours of kneading when normally 10-12 minutes should be more than enough. I am actually surprised that your bread came out still good as it must be overkneaded. The dough is supposed to be sticky but it will fine after kneading and once it has risen. High hydration is the key for moist soft buns.
Chloe says
If i will use ube jam, is it still 1/4 cup or i can add more for more ube flavor? Will that change the consistency if the dough? 😊
Bebs says
Yes, use 1/4 cup of ube jam. You can also add more ube flavoring if you like.
Princess says
Super sarap and perfect yung consistency i wish i can post the picture here,And instead of cheddar cheese i put cream cheese and macapuno🙏🏼
Bebs says
Sounds yummy Princess. Send the pictures to our FB or tag our IG page
Irene says
Can i use cannola oil instead? I can only find frozen grated ube here. Do I need to boil it still? Thanks.
Bebs says
Hi Irene, yes you can use cannola and yes, you need to cook the ube first because the baking time if short it may not fully cook raw ube.
Apple says
Hi, can I use butter with this recipe? If I use butter how much butter will I need? Do I need to melt the butter first? Thanks!
Bebs says
You can use melted butter with the same amount.
Chay says
Hi! I followed it to a tee and it did not rise. 🙁 The dough looked beautiful after I kneaded it though. I'll have to redo this recipe another time. Thank you for sharing!
Bebs says
Hi Chay, I feel so bad that your dough did not make it. Proof your yeast before going on to see if it is the culprit, usually is.
maybe says
hi,
thanks for the amazing recipes 🙂 i want to try this ube cheese pandesal but i don't have ube powder. i only have liquid ube extract. is there a substitute for ube powder? thank u. 🙂
Bebs says
Just use our pandesal recipe and add some ube extract to the dough.
Remy says
I tried these and they're absolutely soft! I skipped the breadcrumbs and the oil. I worked quickly to pinch a roll and just drenched these into flour, Pat a little and placed on trays. They looked gorgeous and rustic like mini sourdoughs.
Thanks for sharing.
Bebs says
Happy that you liked them, Remy!
Janice says
I can only find fresh yeast in the grocery store. Do I use the same amount as instant yeast or less?
Let says
Hi, can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil?
Bebs says
Hi Let, for some bread it would be perfect but for this maybe not so as it will give a different taste that might not go well with ube and cheese.
Ann says
I made these and it came out perfect! It was devoured instantly by my family.Lol Although I do have a question, my mother-in-law has a sweet tooth so I wanted to ask if it’s possible to add more sugar? If so, how much more sugar can I safely add so as not to mess up the consistency of the pandesal? Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. =)
Bebs says
Hi Ann, try 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar but it might give your dough harder time to rise. You can compensate and add a bit more yeast or use yeast that are for sweet dough like SAF Gold.
Fulgencia says
I made your ube pandesal bread and could not taste any ube flavor even though I also added the ube extract. Did I do something wrong or should I increase the amount of ube extract? The bread is soft and yummy slathered with butter.
Bebs says
Ube is very subtle flavor so it is easy to miss it. But if yo like you can add more flavoring.