Ube Pandesal

Instructions

• In a 4-cup spouted measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the milk, warm water, and egg. Whisk in the ube flavoring.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt and mix well.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour the wet ingredients into the well. Slowly mix together using a whisk or your hands until all of the moisture is absorbed by the dry ingredients and a dough begins to form, about 3 minutes. Add the butter to the dough and knead until incorporated, about 5 minutes.
• Spray a clean surface with nonstick spray. Transfer the dough to the surface. The dough will be sticky, but resist adding more flour as it will make the finished product tough and dry. Knead the dough by picking up from the center with both hands on either side of the dough and slapping the bottom end onto the countertop, then folding the top end forward. Rotate your hands 90 degrees and pick up the dough from the center again and repeat the slap and fold motion. Repeat until the dough is more elastic and has a significantly smoother texture, 8–10 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a clean large bowl greased with nonstick spray and spray the top of the dough with more nonstick spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
• Once the dough has risen, grease your hands with nonstick spray and portion the dough into 24–25 pieces, about 50 grams each, then roll into balls. Cover the portioned dough with a kitchen towel to prevent a crust from forming while you shape each pandesal.
• Flatten a piece of dough evenly in your palm to create a disc about 3 inches in diameter. Place a cube of the easy-melt cheese in the center, gather the edges of the dough around the cheese and pinch to seal, then roll into a smooth ball. Immediately roll the finished pandesal in the bread crumbs to coat completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Place 8–12 pandesal on each of 2–3 baking sheets lined with parchment paper and lightly cover with plastic wrap. Let proof at room temperature until doubled in size, 60–90 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
• Remove the plastic wrap from the baking sheets. Bake the pandesal, working in batches if needed, for 18–20 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden on the bottoms. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!