ENSAYMADAS

Ensaymadas image

These sugary, Parmesan-y, buttery Philippine yeast rolls are a Christmas morning mainstay for chef Angela Dimayuga's family.

Provided by Angela Dimayuga

Categories Bon Appétit Bread Parmesan Cheese Christmas Philippines

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 1/4-ounce envelope active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp.)
6 1/2 teaspoons plus 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lukewarm milk (105°F-110°F)
6 large egg yolks
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; plus 4 tablespoons melted, slightly cooled, divided
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more
Special Equipment
Two 6-cup jumbo muffin pans; a 1/2-inch-diameter wooden dowel

Steps:

Combine yeast, 1/2 tsp. sugar, and 3 Tbsp. lukewarm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Cover bowl and let mixture sit until foamy and active, about 10 minutes.
Whisk milk, 3 egg yolks, 3/4 cup flour, and 1/4 cup sugar into yeast mixture until smooth. Cover and let sit until very bubbly, 1-1 1/2 hours.
Add salt, remaining 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and remaining 2 1/4 cup flour to mixture. Fit mixer with dough hook and mix dough on medium-low speed until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes (it will be sticky). Add 8 Tbsp. room-temperature butter 1 Tbsp. at a time, mixing until completely incorporated after each addition (about 1 minute each time). Dough should be very easy to stretch. Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat muffin cups with nonstick spray and line with 4" squares of parchment paper. Punch down dough; divide into 12 pieces. Working with 1 piece and covering the rest, roll out to a 14x3" rectangle. Brush lightly with melted butter and sprinkle with a little cheese (about 2 tsp.). Working at an angle so dough wraps down the length of dowel, roll dough toward you around dowel. Slide dough off dowel (it will scrunch up a bit). Stretch out to 8-10" long and coil around itself to make a snail-shell shape; place in a muffin cup. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy and dough springs back when gently pressed, 25-35 minutes.
Bake ensaimadas until golden brown and puffed, 20-25 minutes. Brush with remaining melted butter; sprinkle with more Parmesan and remaining 6 tsp. sugar.
Do Ahead
Dough can be made (do not let rise) 12 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Let dough come to room temperature, then let rise until doubled before proceeding, 1-2 hours.