How to Bake Ube Pandesal: The Ultimate Guide for Perfect Results Every Time!

Ube, the vibrant purple yam, is a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine. It stars in countless desserts, adding a unique sweetness and beautiful color. One of the most popular ube treats is ube pandesal, a soft and fluffy bread roll infused with the rich flavor of ube.

This blog post will guide you through the process of how to bake ube pandesal, from preparing the dough to achieving the perfect golden-brown crust. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is easy to follow and will have you enjoying delicious ube pandesal in no time.

Gathering Your Ingredients: A Colorful Start

Before we begin, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need to create these delightful treats:

• For the Dough:
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) ube halaya (ube jam)
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) warm milk
• 1 teaspoon (5g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 1 egg yolk, for brushing
• Sesame seeds (optional), for topping

• For the Ube Halaya (if making it from scratch):
• 1 pound (450g) ube (purple yam)
• 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) salt

Preparing the Ube Halaya: The Heart of the Flavor

If you’re using store-bought ube halaya, you can skip this step. However, if you want to create your own, here’s how:

1. Steam the Ube: Peel the ube and cut it into chunks. Place the ube in a steamer basket and steam for 20-30 minutes, or until tender.
2. Mash the Ube: Once the ube is cooked, let it cool slightly. Then, mash it thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
3. Combine with Other Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the mashed ube, sugar, milk, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
4. Cool and Store: Remove the ube halaya from the heat and let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Crafting the Dough: A Symphony of Textures

Now, let’s create the ube pandesal dough:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy, indicating it’s active.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the activated yeast mixture and ube halaya to the dry ingredients. Mix well using a wooden spoon or your hands until a soft and sticky dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shaping the Pandesal: A Touch of Artistry

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape the pandesal:

1. Punch Down the Dough: Gently punch down the dough to release the air.
2. Divide the Dough: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.
3. Shape the Rolls: Roll each portion of dough into a smooth ball.
4. Arrange on a Baking Sheet: Place the shaped pandesal on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave some space between each roll for them to rise.
5. Second Rise: Cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel and let the pandesal rise for another 30 minutes, or until they’ve doubled in size.

Baking to Perfection: A Golden Glow

The final step is baking the ube pandesal:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Brush with Egg Yolk: Brush the top of each pandesal with the egg yolk. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
3. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pandesal are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
4. Cool: Remove the pandesal from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Enjoying Your Ube Pandesal: A Feast for the Senses

The aroma of freshly baked ube pandesal is irresistible. The soft and fluffy texture, combined with the sweet and slightly savory ube flavor, makes these rolls a delightful treat for any occasion.

A Touch of Personalization: Making It Your Own

While this recipe provides a solid foundation, you can customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:

• Add More Ube: Increase the amount of ube halaya in the dough for a more intense ube flavor.
• Experiment with Fillings: Add sweet fillings like ube jam, cheese, or chocolate chips to the center of the rolls.
• Get Creative with Toppings: Instead of sesame seeds, try topping the pandesal with chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Beyond the Bake: Ube Pandesal Beyond the Kitchen

Ube pandesal is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even as a dessert. You can serve them plain, with a cup of coffee or tea, or pair them with a scoop of ice cream for a truly decadent treat.

FAQs: Your Ube Pandesal Questions Answered

Q: Can I use ube extract instead of ube halaya?

A: While you can use ube extract, it won’t provide the same rich flavor and texture as ube halaya. Ube extract is more of a flavoring agent, while ube halaya adds both flavor and moisture to the dough.

Q: How long can I store ube pandesal?

A: Ube pandesal is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Q: What other Filipino desserts can I make with ube?

A: Ube is a versatile ingredient, and you can use it to make a variety of Filipino desserts, including ube cake, ube ice cream, ube halaya, and ube leche flan.

Q: Where can I find ube halaya?

A: Ube halaya is readily available at most Filipino grocery stores and Asian supermarkets. You can also find it online at various retailers.

A Culinary Journey: The Magic of Ube Pandesal

Baking ube pandesal is a journey that combines the richness of Filipino tradition with the joy of creating something delicious. From the vibrant purple hue to the satisfyingly soft texture, every bite is a celebration of the unique flavor of ube. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and experience the magic of ube pandesal for yourself!