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
Roscelyne Ringor-Managuelod says
Hello,
I dont have ube powder, or ube flavouring. Will it be the same if I use ube jam? Just less sugar maybe? Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi, it is all in the post above. Thanks.
Rica says
I tried this recipe today and I love how my pandesal turned out. It was fluffy and soft. I’m just wondering if I can use cream cheese instead?
Bebs says
I have not tried it myself, but I am afraid it would just melt into the bread.
Cearelle says
Will the store bought frozen ube works too?
Bebs says
Yes, but you will have to cook it first.
Angelica says
Hi just want to ask though if you have tried this as an overnight dough? Like put the dough in the fridge for those who dont have much time?
Bebs says
Hi Angelica, sure you can refrigerate the dough overnight after kneading.
Guia says
Hi! Ask ko lang po anong brand ng ube powder yung ginamit? I used CRV UBE POWDER, hindi siya naging paste. Sobrang runny po kahit pinakuluan na siya.
Bebs says
That is because CRV is an ube powder flavoring and not really ube powder. You can read it in their packaging.
Kris says
Hi! Thanks for this recipe! Tried it and it’s really yummy 😊 but just wondering, why did my dough “crack” while proofing it for the last time right before baking? As a result, my finished product had those “cracks”/lines.
Bebs says
I am only thinking that the skin of the buns became too dry and it formed a crust and that cracked when the dough was rising. But that is unlikely as this is a sticky dough unless your kitchen is to dry or there is wind that dried the skin of your bread.
Alma Diaz says
Hi i love all your recipes 😀
May I ask what ube powder did you use? ( brand)
Thank you
Bebs says
Hi Alma, I am afraid I do not have a brand. I got it from a baking supply store, Chocolate Lover and they have it repacked.
Mari says
How many teaspoons of active dry yeast should I use since instant yeast is not available? Also, if I am going to double the recipe, will I also need to double the amount of ADY? Thank you.
Bebs says
Hi Mari, I normally use the same amount because the difference is negligible. To double the recipe just use 2 teaspoons of ADY. It might take longer to rise but that is what you want since you will have more to form into buns.
Marie says
Have you tried making it vegan? like subbing the milk for almond milk and using an egg substitute?
Bebs says
Hi Marie, no I have not. But it should work with just water and no egg (texture and the taste is different, of course)so maybe it would work with the substitutes as well.
Iya says
Thank you for this recipe, I just wanted to ask if you could help me, very, very sticky ang dough kaya next time na ginawa ko dinagdagan ko ng flour, siguro po magkaiba tayo ng ube powder na gamit.. kung irereplace kaya ng powdered milk yung warm milk, ilang tablespoons kaya ang pwede, thank you so much! God bless!
Bebs says
Hi Iya, you have to try it and see as you go as I have not done that myself. But you can also just reduce the water next time.
Patrick says
Question lang po, I have ube halaya, gano po karami ang gagamitin ko for this recipe po? Thanks po!
Bebs says
Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup.
kris says
hi ive got only an ube flavored condensed milk? can it substitute the milk and ube powder part?
Bebs says
I haven't tried that, Kris. So I am not sure what the outcome will be.
Loren says
Hi! After a day, the pandesal turned a little bit hard, is there anyway or anything that i can add so it will stay soft and fluffy? Thank you in advance!
Bebs says
Di you try to store them in a container?
Joan says
Hi there, I have frozen mashed ube. Should I use half cup to 3/4 cup for this recipe? I can’t find any ube powder. Thank you!
Bebs says
Yes that is correct but it should be cooked first.
Jezelle J. says
Hi. If using a stand mixer how many minutes to knead the dough? Thanks for your answer. 🙂
Bebs says
Usually for about 7 minutes. But I suggest still doing the windowpane test to be sure.
NTC says
Hi Bebs,
I tried this recipe, but I had a different result with the ube because it didn't thicken up like yours did. It was watery like ube juice, but I add an additional cup of flour and it turn out great.
I used CRV ube power:
Bebs says
Yes I read about that brand and it is not powdered ube but ube flavoring in powder form. You can use it still but skip the hot water and just use 1 cup of water in total.
Kikz says
Hi! Tried this but in both occasions, the cheese spilled out from the bread. Any tips on how to seal the bottom properly?
Also I am using a rotisserie electric oven, would the temperature for cooking be the same?
Bebs says
Do you mean a countertop oven? The only problem I see is that the heat source is too close to the bread and can burn them easily. As for the cheese try to refrigerate before using it and make sure that the dough around has equal thickness all around.
malou says
I tried this using grated cooked yam 3/4 cup and active dry yeast dissolved in 1 cup warm milk and a tbspn sugar and let rise for 10 mins, its yummy but a had a hard time kneeding coz its very sticky even if i put oil in my hands
Bebs says
Yes, it is rather sticky, Malou, and that is what makes it very moist and soft after baking and for days after.
Sei says
This is my second time making same recipe, the first try I used bread flour which is okay but the flour is dry, chewy and not soft and fluffy as I wanted. Because of covid all purposed flour are all out of stock here in Tokyo. Anyway, so here I tried again today (writing this comment while waiting to rise the dough in slightly warm oven) this time I used all purposed flour, and UBE HALAYA and 1tbsp of UBE extract. I get scared when kneading part is starting, it was like soooo sticky, so I added flour little by little while kneading until I get the consistency that I want and I hope thats okay... I think the ube halaya in jar is little watery compare to the diluted ube powder from the video. I hope this works because my good friend is having a rough time and she wanted to taste ube cheese pandesal for so long. Thanks for sharing the recipe <3
Bebs says
You are such a nice friend, Sei, and I really hope your ube pandesal turned out well. It is supposed to be sticky but adding a little flour can help. Do not add too much as sticky dough will give you moist and soft buns. I usually grease my hands and the surface with little oil to manage the stickiness.
Brian Walker says
my dough is so sticky I can't imagine it being able to be formed into balls after it has risen...might I have done something wrong
Bebs says
I am guessing that you used the ube powder flavor and not the powdered ube. You can use it but no added water needed.
Jenny says
Hi! Thanks for the recipe. In step number 3, is it meant to be in a separate bowl? Can yeast activate when you mix eggs before it? Hope you can clarify - first timer here hehehe. Thanks so much! 🙂
Bebs says
Instant yeast can be added to the flour or to the dough directly without the need of proofing, thus, it is called instant.
Jenny says
Gano po katagal ang shelf life? And pde po ba ito ifreeze? Do you rebake it after freezing or microwave ok kung pde po ifreeze?
Bebs says
Yes, you can freeze or refrigerate them. Thaw and then reheat in the oven.
Emmy L says
Hi Bebs,
I am planning on making this recipe today, and I just have a question.
If I am using ube halaya (1/2 to 3/4 cup), do I still need to add the hot water and mix like according to Step 1 in the recipe?
Thank you, I'm very excited to try this.
Bebs says
No need for the extra hot water, Emmy.
Emmy says
Hi there,
I am planning on making this tomorrow. I was wondering, I will be using ube halaya, do I still need to add the hot water? Or is that for those who will be using the ube powder? Thank you.
Bebs says
No need for the additional hot water in this case.
Nyaf Collantes says
Hi, I made this recipe today but the ube powder I used did not thicken up as yours did. It was fluid but I added another cup of flour and the dough was great. Thanks for this recipe!
Bebs says
Hi, yes, the CRV brand is not the same as powdered ube. You can read it in the description that it is only a flavor.
Tilly says
I tried the recipe and it turned out really great! It was easy to follow your recipe. It’s my 1st try. I love how soft the texture is. Hooray!
Armin says
Happy to hear that...thanks for your feedback 🤗
Mae says
Hello! can you recommend how long should I let it rise when using active dry yeast? Thanks!
Bebs says
It varies depending on many different conditions. The rule of thumb is to let it rise until it almost double its size.
Natasia says
Hi! Is it 1 tablespoon and 1/2 tsp or 1 tsp and 1/2 tsp?
Bebs says
It is as it says, 1 and 1/2 tsp.
Ai says
Hi Bebs,
Thank you for sharing your recipes. I tried baking the ube cheese pandesal, however, cheese spilled out from sime of the buns. I used quickmelt cheese too. Please help. 🙂
Bebs says
Hi Ai, try to freeze your cheese that was already cut into cubes for some minutes (15) before using them.
Ruth Concepcion says
I love your recipe!!! I used ube halaya! May I know the shelflife of thes ube cheese pandesal? Thank you!
Bebs says
Hi Ruth, it should be fine for some days in a bread container at room. It will last for at least a week in fridge and much longer if frozen.
Darlene says
Hi. Can i ube paste instead of the rehydrated ube? If yes how many grams?
Bebs says
Hi Darlene, use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup.
Clarisse says
Hi, can I use panko breadcrumbs? I was thinking of putting it in a blender to make it finer. Thank you! 🙂
Bebs says
Hi Clarisse, you got the idea. Then toast it a little to make it a bit brown.
Mae says
Did you use silicone pastry mat and baking sheets for sizes of ube pandesal?
Bebs says
Hi Mae, nope, I did not.
Angelica says
Hi,
I am planning to make this. However, I am confused on how to use the frozen grated purple yam? Can you please share how to prepare it? Do I need to make it into ubeng halaya first? Or just plain as it is?
Thank you. 😊
Bebs says
Yes, you need to boil it in water until cooked.
Yam says
Hi! I have thawed frozen purple yam and I have ube flavoring liquid. What are the exact measurements will I use and what should I do first with thawed purple yan. Do i need to steam or cook it first? Thank you.
Bebs says
Yes you have to cook the yam first before adding to the dough, Use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cooked yam.
Abby Encisa says
Hi. I live in Switzerland and access to powder yam is impossible. I did see shredded purple yam. Do you think that would work?
Bebs says
Sure it can. Boil it first in just enough water to cook then mash.
Kai says
Hi! Can I use APF and Bread Flour? Like a 50/50 mix?
Bebs says
Sure you can, Kai. Normally bread flour results to higher rise and slightly chewy bread.
Joyce says
Hi. I tried your pandesal recipe and my family loved it. I just recently got hold of ube powder and I will try this recipe next. What’s the reason for reconstituting the ube powder in hot water? Can’t i just add the ube powder directly to the flour and use the hot water to proof the yeast?
Bebs says
Hi Joyce, never add hot water directly to the yeat, or you'll kill it. The reason to hydrate the ube powder is so it can absorb all liquids first as it can so much more than the flour. This functions the same way as roux or tangzhong where they absorb so much liquid making the finished bread more tender and will stay moist longer.
Joyce says
Thanks for the tips. I followed the recipe and it turned out very well. The pandesal was very soft and pillowy. I just did not achieve the deep ube color because i did not have ube extract or coloring. I just used ube powder hydrated in hot water. The bread was lavender but it was great nonetheless. Will definitely make this again. 😊
Maybelle Dela Pena says
Thank you..tried this recipe and my family loves it..so easy to follow..question though, one of your notes you stated preparing the dough overnight..if you use instant yeast, will it still be okay the next day?
Bebs says
Hi Maybelle, for this it is usually recommended to use active dry yeast because they rise slower. But if you only have instant yeast then reduce it to 1 teaspoon.
Alexis says
Hi! If I'm using the pandesal recipe and just adding ube flavoring and cheese, should I follow the baking instructions (like oven temp and how long) for that or for this one? Thanks 😉
Bebs says
Just follow the plain pandesal recipe.
Kat says
Hi! Does CRV Ube Powder work for this recipe?
Bebs says
I haven't used CVR but from the other videos I saw, I think that is only ube flavoring, not powdered ube.
Maria says
Can you give me recipe for ube filling using powder? Thank you
Bebs says
Sorry Maria, I don't have it yet. But just add some butter, coconut milk and sugar and it should be tasting like halaya.
basia says
hi Bebs! I only have grated ube in the fridge, can i use it too? and do i use 1/2 cup? no water?
Bebs says
Hi Basia, you have to cook it first in water to make something similar to halaya then use that.
Mari says
Can I use sugar substitute like monkfruit sweetener instead of sugar?
Bebs says
Hi Mari, I haven't tried it myself but I read that monkfruit sweetener can be used for baking.
Kristie says
Hi great recipe!! Can this recipe easily be doubled??thank you!!
Bebs says
Sure it can be doubled.
Kate says
What should I do if the dough becomes super sticky
Bebs says
What ube powder did you use? Did it absorb all the hot water or not?
Grace says
I used ube powder and it didn’t absorb the liquid and it didn’t become into paste. Maybe I bought the wrong one but I am wondering if I can still use ube powder I bought and put less water instead?
Bebs says
Hi Grace, just reduce the total amount of water to 1 cup and it should still work.
Dan says
Hi!
I will be using the bottled ube... do I need to adjust the recipe for it? Will 1/4c ube powder + 3/4c water be the same with 1/4c ube jam?
Bebs says
Hi Dan, use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the ube jam.
Patrick says
What if I don't have ube powder but I have McCormick Ube Flavor liquid, what adjustments do I need to do? Thanks po!
Bebs says
Hi Patrick, just use our pandesal recipe and add the ube flavoring to the dough. Add a tablespoon first.
Kristie Cubero says
Hi bebs. Just troied it so delish! Can the recipe easily be doubled? Thanks!!
Bebs says
Sure, go ahead, Kristie.
Connie says
Hello,
I have a question on this.
If I willl use real haleya instead of ube powder, do I still need to dissolve it in 3/4 cup water or no need?
Thanks!
Bebs says
No that is only for powdered ube.