Filipino Cheese Bread by GCAP's

Filipino Cheese Bread is a popular and beloved snack among many people. If you enjoy sweet and cheesy flavors in soft bread, you might find this recipe delightful. It's a favorite among Filipinos and those who appreciate the combination of a slightly sweet dough, gooey melted cheese, and a touch of sugar on top

Filipino Cheese Bread, also known as "Cheese Bread Pandesal," is a delicious and popular snack or breakfast item in the Philippines. It's a sweet, cheesy bread roll perfect with coffee or tea. Here's a simple recipe for making Filipino Cheese Bread:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 1 cup grated cheese (Edam, cheddar, or any cheese of your choice)
• 1/2 cup sugar

For Topping:

• Grated cheese

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:

   • In a bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
   • Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk mixture. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.

2. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
   • Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg.
   • Mix until a dough forms.
   • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

3. First Rise:

   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles.

4. Shape the Dough:

   • Punch down the risen dough to release the air.
   • Divide the dough into small portions and flatten each portion.
   • Add a teaspoon of grated cheese and a pinch of sugar in the center of each flattened dough.
   • Enclose the filling and shape the dough into a ball.

5. Second Rise:

   • Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
   • Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.

6. Bake:

   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
   • Brush the tops of the risen dough with milk and sprinkle grated cheese on top.
   • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

7. Serve:

   • Allow the Filipino Cheese Bread to cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Filipino Cheese Bread! This recipe yields soft, cheesy, and slightly sweet bread that's perfect for any time of the day.

SIMILARITIES TO OTHER COUNTRIES

Filipino Cheese Bread, with its sweet dough and cheesy filling, is somewhat similar to certain bread and pastry items in other countries. While each cuisine has its unique variations, you might find similarities with certain baked goods from different regions. Here are a few examples:

1. Ensaimada (Spain): Ensaimada is a pastry from Spain and its former colonies, including the Philippines. It often features a sweet, coiled bread topped with sugar and grated cheese or sometimes filled with cream, custard, or other sweet fillings.

2. Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo): Though different in form, Pão de Queijo from Brazil shares the concept of combining cheese with dough. It's a popular cheese bread made with tapioca flour and typically served as small, puffy rolls.

3. Korean Cheese Bread:

   • Cheese-filled Bread (Cheeseppang): In Korea, there are variations of bread filled with sweetened cream cheese or other cheese varieties.
   • Cheese-Topokki Bread: This features a combination of sweet rice cake (topokki) and cheese in a bread roll.

While these examples may not be identical to Filipino Cheese Bread, they share common elements of incorporating cheese into bread or pastry. Each country puts its unique twist on these combinations, resulting in diverse and delightful treats worldwide.