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
Maria Sophia Galicia says
Hi Bebs,
What if I don’t have the powder? Can I just use Ube flavouring? If yes, what should be the measurements? Thank you!
Bebs says
You can use our plain pandesal recipe and add the flavoring to the dough. I cannot say how much though because each brand is different, you just have to give it a try and take notes for next time..
recel says
Hi
I am about to try your recipe. I have ube spread, how many measurement should i add to the dough? or should i use it as a filling only with cheese? thanks
Bebs says
Hi Recel, you mean ube jam? It is mentioned in the post. You can add it to the dough and to the filling.
Liezl says
Hi!
Thanks for the recipe. Can I substitute the APF with bread flour?
Thanks!
Bebs says
Sure you can, Liezl.
Almond says
Hi thank you so much for this recipe i made it 2 times already first with cheddar and it was good the 2nd was with monterey jack it was so good hahaha thank you my hubby loves them and it doesnt last a day hahaha 😆 may i ask can i make it and put in the ref so i can just bake them when i want to? If yes how many days can i store it in the ref? Thank you
Bebs says
Glad to hear you re loving our recipe. If you like, you can freeze the dough so it can last at least for a month or two. Add another teaspoon of yeast. Knead as usual but shape them after kneading without letting them rise. Shape them as you would the pandesal buns arranged ina tray and then immediately freeze them. Once frozen transfer to a ziploc bag. When you want to bake a batch just remember to thaw them in the fridge overnight and then let them come to room temperature before baking.
Vee says
Hello there! I love your recipe but I’m curious to know if the dough will be affected if I add a lot or less oil while kneading? Sometimes my dough can’t be workable unless I keep greasing surface and hands. Does it add make a difference whether I grease the surface once or 6x? Like I said I’ve just been greasing surface as needed, sometimes more than others. Thank you in advance.
Bebs says
Hi Vee, if it is only to grease the hands and surface, it should be fine. I find that it actually makes the dough softer and moist.
christine says
hi miss Bebs😍 may i know what kind of ube powder did you use? i’ve been using you’re recipe for the whole quarantine period i just added ube halaya for filling and emit the ube powder since i dont know what brand or kind of ube powder did you use in this recipe. I’ve already made a thousand plus pcs of this pandesal and sold them online and the customers feedback is very much heartwarming💜😍 lately i’ve been using this pandesal recipe of yours but change its flavor to red velvet with creamcheese filling and pandan pandesal with creamy macapuno filling,hope you made them too😍
Bebs says
Hi Christine, yes, these are on my list. As for the ube powder, I am afraid I do not have the package anymore but it actually was repacked by the baking shop where I got it. I will ask next time.
Jan Dennise A. Ocampo says
Tried your recipe and it’s really good! Ask ko lang sana yung proportioning nyo po sa 12pc? Like ilang grams without the filling? And how much po kaya pwede ibenta? Would really appreciate your response po, salamat!
Bebs says
Hi Jan, I am sorry but I have not measured/weighted them when I made them but they are really big. As for the price, we do not sell them so I did not do a costing. Perhaps you could make a batch to know how much it cost and how much you can sell it for your business.
Jou says
Why you used all purpose flour ? Usually the bread use high protein flour ? Thank you
Bebs says
Hi Jou, sure you can use bread flour but AP flour is more easily available and also works perfectly well.
Therese Jiao says
Perfect Texture of Pandesal!
Bebs says
Thank you!
Andrea says
What will happen if I use fresh ube? Should I change the entire recipe? What will be its effect?
Bebs says
You have to cook the raw ube first. It is mentioned on the post.
Marvin says
Hi! Thanks for the wonderful recipe! Will there be a big difference in flavour if I don't add the Ube extract flavoring? It's a troublesome ingredient to find.
Bebs says
Hi Marvin, the thing is Ube pandesal very rarely taste like ube as ube is rather a very subtle flavor. The extract will help enhance it but will still be good even without, soft and moist for days.
Aubrey Seneris says
Thanks for this recipe, I used bread flour, olive oil and cocosugar and still tastes great. The ube powder (CRV purple yum) that we have stayed watery so i would like to ask what is the brand that you used? Thanks
Bebs says
I do not have the brand at the moment but will update the post next time I have it.
Patricia says
Hi! I’ve made this recipe twice already, both turned out really great! I used 3/4 cup Good Shepherd ube halaya in both instances and added 1 teaspoon of halaya in each pandesal to make it even better. I really love this recipe. The pandesal stayed super soft and fluffy even on the 4th day. Excited to try your other Filipino bread recipes! Hope you can come up with a fluffy cheese roll recipe similar to the one from Mary Grace. Cheers!
Bebs says
Already on our list, Grace! Glad you like this one too...
Ethel says
Hello Bebs,
Can I used the taro powder na ginagamit sa bubble tea?
Thank you!
Ethel
Bebs says
Hi Ethel, I haven't tried it so I cannot say if it is okay to use or not.
Rochell says
I used the same brand ube as suggested but mine didnt turn purple... and as fine..it has small particles of ube... in my dough
Trish says
Hi Bebs,
Can’t wait to try this recipe out! Also, can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Bebs says
Sure you can, Trish.
Sam says
Hi! I’ve made your recipe twice already and I want to try making it in smaller serving like 24pcs instead of 12 in your recipe. If I do that should I also cut the baking time and temperature? If yes, please let me know how many mins and what temp. Thanks
Bebs says
Hi Sam, use the same temperature but just keep an eye on them, try 10 minutes and check if they are done.
Lhynie says
Hi have you tried making pandesal using sourdough?
Bebs says
Hi Lhynie, I have not tried sourdough with pandesal yet but I have done bread with sourdough before. I am sure it should work.
Michael S Sundstrom says
I've had this with ube jam and cheese inside. I think I can use this recipe and just add about 1/2 tsp of ube jam with the cheese.
Bebs says
Sure you can, Michael.
Mary Suzette says
Is ube jam (for the filling) the same as halaya? I can’t find quickmelt cheese near me.
Bebs says
Yes, it is.
Wendi says
Tried this as requested by my hubby for father's day and he loved it. Thanks so much. Siksik but soft. The color is pale because I did not put Ube extract. I used the ube halaya which I also cooked using your recipe. Will do the following next time: add ube extract, add halaya filling together with cheese.
Bebs says
Happy that you like it, Wendi. Yes for more ube flavor I would suggest adding it to the filling itself.
Mary Suzette says
How do I know what the correct ube powder I’m supposed to buy?
Bebs says
Ask the seller if it is powdered ube to make halaya. It also usually say in the package.
Brenda says
I really love your ube cheese pandesal!! My friend introduced your recipe. Looking forward for more. By the way, what’s the shelf life for this. Thank you.
Bebs says
Hi Brenda, thanks for your lovely comment. I am not sure though how long it can last without spoiling but I know that they lasted soft and moist for at least 4 days stored in a box.
Girlie says
Hi,thanks for this recipe.I hope it will make out well as i dont have the ube powder..instead,i used sweet potato as i read it can be 3/4cup if im not mistaken..
I'll like this recipe not too complicated😊..Cross finger for soft and fluffy🙃
God bless you
Bebs says
Hi Girlie, sweet potato bread should also be good and since it has starch like ube then it should have the same consistency.
Aubrey Señeris says
What oil do you use? Can i use olive oil?
Bebs says
I use a more neutral flavored vegetable oil.
Jess says
Hello po , pwede po bang magawa to kahit walang bread crumbs?
Bebs says
It is still good like soft buns.
louraine says
hi. thank you for this recipe. approximately how many grams each pandesal?
Gab says
Hi! Can you even just make this with just the ube extract without the halaya or powder?
Bebs says
Then use our plain pandesal recipe and add the ube extract to it.
Maria Carlota Laciste says
Can you please make pandan or strawberry cheese pandesal using this recipe?
Thanks!
I am using your recipe and I am selling these online now. Thank you so much! 🙂
Bebs says
Added to the list!
Aubrey Seneris says
What ube powder did you use?
Li Batol says
I've tried your recipe and it turned out good and really stayed soft after 3 days even without reheating. The only thing is that I used an ube powder flavoring instead of a natural or pure ube powder. I wonder what brand of ube powder did you use and where could I get it? I hope you can share if you don't mind. 😊
Bebs says
I will ask the shop for the name next time.
Kate says
Great recipe. I want to make 4 dozen Can I double the recipe next time?
Bebs says
Yes Kate, double the ingredients. Refrigerate the other half of the dough while you are working or shaping the first half so it will not rise too fast.
Melissa says
I love your ube pandesal recipe!! Thank you!
Bebs says
Awesome, thanks for the 5 stars, Melissa.
Paula says
Can I use canola instead of vegetable oil?
Bebs says
Sure you can, Paula.
Leah says
If I use a standing mixer with hook to knesd the dough, will I still have to knead the dough with my hands?
Bebs says
Hi Leah, the stand mixer can do all the kneading for you...
Apple says
Finally, made Ube Cheese Pandesal using this recipe! It taste good! I have half success because although it tastes good, it was not as soft and fluffy as I thought it would be. I am not sure where I went wrong? Also, good thing I read through the comments here and found that CRV ube powder is just an ube flavoring and not really dehydrated ube powder used here. A lot have said that theirs were really watery. So what I did with mine was just dissolve the powder with very little in water and heat it up in the stove to thicken the mixture.
Bebs says
Hi Apple, yours did not turn out as soft and fluffy because of the absence of the starch from the ube that absorbs a lot of liquid. If you cannot find the correct ube powder then do as you did but replace 4 tablespoons of the APF with potato flour or starch and add a little more water until it is sticky.
Zyrene says
Hi! Can I use washed sugar instead of white?
Bebs says
Sure you can.
Lisa says
how long will it take if i use the kitchen aide mixer to knead the dough?
Bebs says
Hi Lisa, normally 8-10 minutes of mixing using the dough hook attachment at medium speed should do it.
Christian says
Hi. If I would not use ube powder, how much artificial liquid flavor should I put in?
Bebs says
It depends entirely on how much you like, but I would start with 1 tablespoon first.
Lorelie says
~~Hi Bebs,
I have frozen ube, what will be the measurement for this? Do I have to make ube halaya first?
Thanks for the reply. 😊
Bebs says
It would be best to make ube halaya first (we have a recipe here just use the search box) because, honestly, ube itself has really very subtle flavor. But if that is ok with you then just boil the ube and mash.
Maria Carlota Laciste says
Can i use ube paste? If yes, how much will i add? Thanks! 🙂
Bebs says
I haven't used ube paste so I can not help you with this. But I hope you share it here if you try it.
Yannah says
Do i still need to put hot water if im going to use ube halaya?
Bebs says
No need then, Yannah.
Arshley Lobo says
Hello, po!
Pwede po gumamit ng cream cheese for the filling instead of the quick melts?
Bebs says
I think it should also work.
Caryn says
Can i use evaporated milk instead?
Bebs says
You can, but I would dilute it in water normally.
Gabby says
Hello!
I don’t have ube powder or extract , but have ube halaya. Do you think it can be made with just this? If so, would it still be 1/4 cup of halaya instead of the powder?
Skye says
Hi Bebs!
Gaano po kadami if ube jam ang gagamitin? Thanks
Bebs says
It is mentioned in the post, Skye.
Y says
Hi! Sorry overlooked the post regarding the amount of ube halaya to be used. Hehe thanks for this recipe btw!! Im so excited to make ube pandesal this weekend ♥️
Bebs says
Hope you like it, Y.
Y says
How much ube halaya should i use? Would it still be 1/4 cup?
MG says
Hi Bebs! What's the best way to reheat ube pandesal with cheese? Thank you!
Bebs says
The microwave should be fine. Or if you want and have time, reheat in the oven for a crispier crust.
Haidee says
Thanks for the recipe. I followed it and the bread is super soft and sobrang sarap ng pandesal.😊
Bebs says
happy to know that you like our recipe, Haidee. Thanks for the perfect stars..
Tina says
Thanks for this! Made it just now and it was my first time. They tasted so good 😊. Nahirapan ako at first because the dough was too sticky. I had to knead it longer. But still came out ok. I used ube powder plus ube flavoring. Did some variations which made me nervous hehe - used Almond milk and muscovado sugar. Still, I think it was yummy!
Bebs says
Thanks for sharing your experience with this recipe and your version. Yes it is quite sticky but that makes it soft and moist longer.
Jenny says
Hi ! I the frozen ube that comes in a pack, which is basically real tube, would I still need to boil and mash it, or could I just let it thaw out and mash it?
Bebs says
You have to cook it first or it will still be raw when the bread is baked.
P says
Hi, the ube powder I have stays watery.. Based on your suggestion, better to follow the regular pandesal recipe... Then just add the 1/4 cup ube powder dissolved in little amount of water?
Or does the measurement change?
Bebs says
Hi P, yes you may have to add a little water to the ube powder flavor before adding it.
Sab says
Hi Bebs thanks for this recipe. I did it 5 times now. My bread stayed soft longer and the taste is so ube-ish. I used ube halaya and a ube essence. To get the purple color I combined blue and pink liquid food color.
Bebs says
Hi Sab, glad you like it. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Bon says
I did the same, ube halaya (instead of ube powder) and ube paste/extract. I love your recipes! <3 <3
Bebs says
That is great, Bon! Thanks for the stars..
Rina says
Hi! Can I use olive oil?
Bebs says
Hi Rina, you can but olive oil has a flavor (which I love) and this will have an effect on the pandesal.
Kai Salazar says
Hi. Can I also use your ube cheese pandesal recipe for a matcha pandesalI'm planning to make? If so, how much matcha powder should I put? I'm thinking since it's totally different from ube powder so measurements have to be adjusted as well. TIA.
Kai
Bebs says
Sure but since matcha does not have starch unlike ube it will not absorb as much liquid. Skip the hot water used for hydrating the ube powder in this case.
Michael says
Hi,
Followed the recipe but pandesal is not staying soft.
Is there anything I missed or any tips?
Bebs says
You have to store it in a container or it will dry out.
Su says
Tried your recipe! Kaso nasunog ko yung ilalim ng bread 😅 pero super soft ng pandesal!