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
Kim says
Hi! Waiting for my dough to rise atm. Can I use creamcheese on this recipe?
Bebs says
Hi Kim, I haven't tried it myself so I am not sure if it will not melt.
Icay says
It's a keeper. Thanks for the recipe.
Bebs says
You are welcome, Icay!
Mamzy Elisa says
I enjoyed following your recipe, it taste good but its not that soft, what is missing from what i did?
June Ramos says
Can you use ube halaya instead of ube powder?
Bebs says
It is already mentioned in the post.
K says
Would it make a difference if I use an electric hand mixer instead of manually mixing the ingredients by hand? Thanks!
Bebs says
Hi K, if your hand mixer is good enough to handle long kneading then go ahead. But it might be uncomfortable for your hand to hold it up like that for 8-10 minutes.
Karen says
Can i put two table spoon of ube extract? When i tried to make it, doesnt taste ube just the smell only? Thanks
Bebs says
Sure you can Karen.
Bebs says
From a baking supply store called Chocolate Lovers.
April says
Hi Bebs,
Tried this today , dough never rise / double in size ,, is it the yeast problem coz i used the instant dry yeast ?
Bebs says
Could be, try to proof some of it just to be sure it is active. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen it could take from 30 minutes to 3 hours to rise.
Pinky says
Hi bebs. I have shake mix powder since there is no more stock of ube powder here. Should I follow this recipe or the classic pandesal recipe as stated above? Thank you
Bebs says
Hi Pinky, I cannot say if how the outcome is because I haven't used shake mix powder (ever) so I do not know what it is.You can also just use liquid ube flavor.
Kim says
Hi, Bebs!
I love your recipe! By the way, I want to double the outputs in a single batch. Can I just simply double the recipe? 🙂
Thanks for this!
Bebs says
Sure you can Kim.
Rian says
Hi, I can’t find any ube powder in UK. What is the possible substitute for this please?
Bebs says
All in the post, Rian.
Mary says
Hello,
is there a different preparation if I am using an active yeast instead of instant yeast?
Bebs says
Normally active dry yeast needs to be proofed first and instant yeast can be added directly to the flour.
Marie says
Hi, how do you “proof” active yeast?
Bebs says
Just hydrate it with some(1/4 cup) of the lukewarm liquid.
Alex says
Omg! Thank you so much for this recipe. I tried baking ube pandesal for four weeks in a row. But this recipe saves me! ❤️ Sana matagal ko na tong nakita. Thank you so much.
Bebs says
That is great, Alex, happy that you like our recipe.
hazel says
hi po.. 1 ½ tsp po means 1 tsp and ½tsp? or 1 tbsp and ½tsp
Bebs says
Hi Hazel, the first one is correct. It is like 1 1/2 cup = 1 and 1/2 cup.
Sarah De Leon says
can i use large egg here?
Bebs says
It is already sticky as it is so if you want to use large egg then reduce the other liquid a bit.
Kim says
Hi, Bebs!
I love your recipe and it really makes very soft pandesal! I want to yield more in a batch. By how much can I increase the ingredients?
Many thanks!
Kimmie
Bebs says
Hi Kim, just double everything but not the yeast. Too much yeast might result in faster rising. You do not want that they are done rising before you finish shaping them. It will be rising slower but should give you enough time to work through them all.
Louie says
Hi bebs, i tried it and i think i did it, divided it to 12 too and turned out huge lol...i wanted to send pix but i dont know how😊
Bebs says
If you have FB of IG then tag us. You can send it also thru email to bebs@foxyfolksy.com
Diego says
I tried making these with my partner and it’s so good! The only thing that bothers me (I’m not sure if this is just a me problem, lol) is that the center, where the cheese usually is, is kind of “wet” after baking. Is that normal? I’m pretty sure it’s not undercooked as I tried inserting a thin tester inside and nothing stuck + the bread is already golden on top. It’s not the temperature either as I use an oven temp as well. I hope you can help enlighten me! Thank you! Very wonderful recipe btw!
Bebs says
Hi Diego, could it be that the cheese has a lot of water content?
Louie says
Hi, tried to do it today, I'm still proofing the dough, it was very sticky and cant even form into a ball, i added a little bit of flour, i hope it wont ruin the recipe?
Bebs says
A little flour should be fine. But maybe it could also be the ube powder that you used. Did it hydrate when water was added? If not then it is not powdered ube but ube flavoring only.
Mommy Ging says
Hi Bebs!
I tried your Ube pandesal with cheese and they are so soft and taste great. I put the kraft sliced cheddar cheese and fold it into 4. Bale 1 slice sya per 55 grams na dough. It yield 24 pcs. Masyado kse malaki kpag 12 Lang. Diabetic friendly per serving😄. It’s very sticky but I followed your advice To use vegetable oil while kneading (I really used a lot but little by little. I used flour to my spanish before and put a little flour while kneading them and it became hard easily the next day. Thank you for this recipe☺️
Bebs says
Thanks for the update, Mommy Ging!
twix says
hi, what kind of bread crumbs did you used? can I use Panko?any suggestion please.Thank you
Bebs says
I use fine breadcrumbs that is normally what available before Panko became popular but I still find them in most supermarkets. If you have Panko only, then crush it finely and toast in a pan just until a bit brown.
Yani says
I tried this today. The dough was too sticky that I needed to adjust all the measurements and took me 15-18mins to achieve the windowpane test. Luckily it turned out well. Thanks!
Bebs says
Yes, it is quite sticky but the result is very fluffy and moist buns.
Cris says
Hi. Thanks for the recipe. I am not sure what is wrong but i knead using the stand mixer for 20 mins and it was still not forming a ball. I've added 1/4 cup flour and still will not form a ball like yours did. I am scared the dough will not rise. What could be wrong with what I did? The only difference is that i used more yeast than what was in the recipe. I used 1 packet of the platinum instant dry yeast (7 gms).
Bebs says
If you are 100% sure that the yeast is active, then just give it more time to rise, can take 1-2 hours sometimes. I am wondering if you used the correct ube powder though if it was that sticky.
nalyn says
Hi bebs,
Just tried this recipe. Unfortunately, the dough was too sticky I can even roll it to a ball 🙁 I followed the recipe but the dough was too sticky 🙁
Bebs says
The dough is supposed to be sticky but not like you described that it cannot be shaped anymore. I am guessing the ube powder you used is the wrong one and not the dehydrated ube but a flavoring.
Kendra says
Hi Bebs! Magnolia quick melt cheese is sold out everywhere near me. Are there any possible alternatives?
Bebs says
Hi Kendra, you can use regular (sandwich) cheese or cheddar. Bake the buns a little longer at a lower temperature so the cheese will have time to melt.
Jan says
Hello. Can i use bread flour instead of all-purpose?
Bebs says
Sure you can, Jan.
Ada says
This recipe is spot-on! Your page is 💣!
Can I request a piaya/piyaya recipe please?
Thanks! 🍁
Bebs says
Added it to our list, Ada..
Mai says
Looks delish!
Can I use bread flour?
Will it be a big deal if I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Thank you!
Bebs says
Sure you can use bread flour for a chewier texture. Instant yeast takes lesser time to rise than active dry yeast, but the end result would still be the same.
Mary Grace says
Hi..
Can I ask what kind of ube powder you used? Because when you poured your water in your ube powder it turns like ube halaya. Mine is not. Still liquid. Any advice? Thank you.
Bebs says
Then it is more likely that you have ube powder flavoring and not powdered ube, read the description of the product you have. I got mine from a baking supply store repacked. Ask them and they should know.
Day says
Can I use frozen grated purple yam? Also where can I get ube powder? I can find it in any of the Asian supermarkets where I live in San Francisco, California.
Bebs says
Yes, but you have to cook it first. I think Amazon has some...
Mae says
Hi, can i bake this using turbo oven broiler?if yes, same temp you are using? thanks
Bebs says
Yes, you can, Mae.
aydz says
I will definitely try this. Looks so good
Bebs says
Hope you like it!
Maria says
Hello po! Ask ko lang pano po yung walng ube powder? Ano po pwde substitute ? Ube jam pwde po ba?
Thank you po
Bebs says
The alternatives are already mentioned in the post.
Paula says
Hi I would like to ask if how many grams of pandesal? I mean how big 🙂 thank you
Bebs says
Sorry, but I do not measure them since it was only intended for personal consumption. I will keep it in mind to weigh next time.
Grace says
Hi. If i use ube halaya, ano procedure ko po sya i mimix? Sa powder palang or pag nahalo na yung milk? Thank you
Bebs says
Add it the same way as you would if adding the rehydrated ube powder.
Mabs says
Hi Bebs, if you double the recipe, how long will you knead the dough using the stand mixer?will it still be 7 minutes?
Bebs says
Hi Mabs, 7-10 minutes normally. But I recommend doing the windowpane test.
Ging Medeiros says
Made this for the first time using the dehydrated powdered ube made by Giron Foods out of Silang, Cavite. The 3/4 cup water was too much so tried it instead with 1/2 cup water to get the right consistency. Also used Laughing Cow cheese - which was I think a little too mild. Need something a tad more salty like Velveeta 🙂 The rolls came out great but didn't get much of the ube flavor. May try it with the ube halaya instead with the recommended measurement you provided. Great recipe though!
Bebs says
Thanks, Ging for sharing your experience with our recipe. I get a lot of questions and comments about their ube powder not working same way as mine. I guess every product works differently just like every ube crop can be more starch or not. Glad you found a fix. Yes, ube actually has really subtle flavor and the ube halaya we like actually got its taste from all the milk, butter and sugar we add it. feel free to add some ube extract if you like.
Maidy says
Hi what if I use liquid ube yam flavoring? What is the measurement? Sorry 1st timer here
Bebs says
Hi Maidy, just search for our plain pandesal recipe and use that. Add about 1/2 tablespoon and adjust from there.
Sol says
Hi, wala akong ube powder lang, pwde kaya yung ube powder shake?
Bebs says
Hi Sol, I think it is not the same as dehydrated ube in powder form.
Rosel says
Hi, just want to ask if I can use warm fresh milk?
Also, if I will use the bottled ube jam, do I need to heat or cook it before putting into the dough? Thanks..
Bebs says
Yes you can use milk and if using the bottled ube jam, no need to cook because it already is.
Mabs says
Hi Bebs..Been using your recipe and everybody been going crazy...question you mentioned you can overnight the dough after kneading. How about after you mold the dough with cheese in it, can you overnight in the refrigerator for the 2nd rise?
Bebs says
Sure you can Mabs. But I recommend reducing the yeast to half for slow rising.
darla says
hi mabs 🙂
Renna says
Hi! How can i make the ube flavour stronger using the ube halaya? Loved the recipe!
Bebs says
Hi Renna, I would add more up to a cup maybe or use ube extract. But a sure way is adding some of the halaya in the filling.
Arianne says
Hello! What is the brand of your ube powder? I used CRV ube powder and the outcome is watery.
Bebs says
Hi Arianne, CRV is not powdered ube but only an ube flavoring in powder form. I got mine from the baking supply store and I asked for dehydrated ube powder.
P says
Hello, I used CRV too but heated it in a pan to make it a bit malagkit (but still watery). I then poured it in the flour mix. Mixed with a spatula then kneaded. But because it's too sticky, I used flour on the surface and on my hands instead of vegetable oil. Turned out great! But I suggest you add the optional ube extract for better flavor.
Bebs says
Thanks for sharing, P.
Grace says
Hi. I like to ise ube halaya instead of ube powder, ano po procedure pag real ube ilalagay? Isasabay ko po sya sa flour or pag may milk na po,oil ang egg na po? Thank you so much
Bebs says
If you will use ube halaya then just add it like you would the already hydrated ube powder.
Joy says
Pano kung walang ube powder ube essence lang? Kse i tried before with this recipe hndi nag form na dough 🙁
Bebs says
Then use our pandesal recipe and add the ube flavor to it instead.
Michelle says
Hey Bebs,
Tried this recipe today, followed all the steps and the only thing I didn’t add is the ube extract. I let my dough rise for 30, but it still came out all sticky. So sticky it was hard to make smaller balls because it just kept sticking to my fingers. I added a bit more flour, but it didn’t really make a difference. What did I do wrong? Help!
M
Bebs says
Did your dough rise to almost double? If not, then let it rise longer.
Anna Kyrelle Ala says
Hi. Made it and its yummy 😍 its my first time to bake pandesal. ☺️ Thanks for the easy recipe ,
Achievable by first timer wannabe baker like me ☺️
Bebs says
Great to hear it, Anna! Keep it up!
Mel S says
The best ube cheesy pandesal for my family. I tweaked it a little bit and added an ube filling inside with the cheese. It was a bomb!
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Question: How can I make the top of pandesal crispier?
Bebs says
Hi Mel, that will be a bit difficult with this recipe. Usually, bread with crispy skin would have just basic ingredients and since this one is an enriched dough and with the addition of the ube that makes it soft I am not sure if it is at all possible.
Loi says
I just made this recipe and it was great. Did a little variations with the fillings tho and it came out super yummy. Do you have a recipe for regular pandesal?
Bebs says
That is great to hear, Loi. Yes, we do have plain pandesal recipe here. Just use the search box.
Dee says
Hello! Just wondering what’s the best milk to use for ube cheese pandesal. Is it okay to use full cream milk?
Bebs says
I normally just use fresh milk. Full cream milk should also be fine.