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Filipino Cheese Bread

Filipino Cheese Bread is a unique sweet pastry that defies expectations. Despite its name suggesting a savory treat, it features a soft, pillowy potato-enriched bread coated in a distinctive sweet-salty streusel made from cheddar cheese, powdered milk, and sugar. Originating from Pampanga in the 1990s and popularized by L.A. Bakeshop, this modern addition to Filipino panaderia classics showcases the culture's masterful blend of contrasting flavors in a single bite.

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Additional Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 30 pieces
Calories: 180 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients

For the Dough
  • 3½ cups high-grade flour 435g (Harina)
  • ½ cup potato flakes 30g
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 9g
  • ¼ cup warm water 60ml (Maligamgam na tubig)
  • ½ cup butter melted (113g) (Tinunaw na mantikilya)
  • 1 cup milk 240ml (Gatas)
  • ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar 165g (Asukal)
  • ½ teaspoon salt 3g (Asin)
  • 1 large egg Itlog
For the Cheese Coating
  • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 200g (Kinadkad na keso)
  • 1 cup powdered milk 120g (Gatas na Powder)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour 60g (Harina)
  • 1¼ cups powdered sugar 150g (Asukal)
  • ¼ cup butter room temperature, cubed (57g) (Mantikilya)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Start by blooming your yeast. In a small bowl, mix the active dry yeast with warm water (35°C) and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it rest in a warm spot for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
  2. While waiting for the yeast, prepare your wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, room temperature milk, egg, remaining sugar, and salt until well combined.
  3. Once your yeast is foamy, add it to your wet ingredients and stir gently. Now start adding your flour and potato flakes gradually. If you're using a stand mixer, use the dough hook and knead for 10 minutes on medium speed. If kneading by hand, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 15 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place your kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  5. While the dough is rising, make your cheese coating. Mix together the grated cheddar cheese, powdered milk, flour, and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Add the room temperature butter cubes and mix until you get a crumbly mixture. Break up any large clumps with your fingers.
  6. After the dough has doubled, gently punch it down and divide it into 30 equal pieces (about 45g each if you're using a scale). Roll each piece into a ball.
  7. Take each ball and roll it generously in the cheese coating mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well. Place each coated ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece.
  8. Let the coated bread pieces rise again for 30 minutes in a warm place. Don't let them rise too long or they'll lose their shape.
  9. While they're doing their second rise, preheat your oven to 150°C.
  10. Bake the bread for 15-17 minutes until they're lightly golden. Don't overbake - they should still be soft and fluffy inside.
  11. Let them cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before eating. They're best enjoyed warm, when the coating is still slightly crispy and the inside is soft and tender.

Notes

  • Use potato flakes for the softest, most tender bread
  • Don't skip the second rise, but don't let it overproof
  • The cheese coating should be very generous
  • Keep dough slightly sticky for softer bread
  • Use fresh yeast for best results
  • Room temperature ingredients are crucial

Nutrition Information

Calories 180kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 200mg (8%) Potassium 92mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 271IU (5%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 104mg (10%) Iron 0.1mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30pieces

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180

% Daily Value*

Calories 180kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 200mg 8%
Potassium 92mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 271IU 5%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 104mg 10%
Iron 0.1mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.