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Spanish bread recipe (Filipino)

Spanish Bread is a soft, pillowy bread with a deliciously sweet and buttery filling. Perfect for a midday snack, or with your morning cup of coffee.
Prep Time1 day 30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Dough Rising Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: breads
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: baked goods, filipino bread, filipino spanish bread, merienda, snack, spanish bread
Servings: 16 servings
Author: JENEVIVE

Ingredients

BREAD

  • ¾ cup warm fresh milk or evaporated milk warm water may also be used
  • teaspoon yeast
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup oil or melted butter vegetable or any neutral tasting oil
  • 1 egg
  • cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup bread flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • bread crumbs for dusting

FILLING

  • cup butter
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • cup flour
  • cup brown sugar
  • cup evaporated milk more if the mixture is too thick

Instructions

BREAD

  • In large bowl, stir together the warm milk, yeast and about a tablespoon of the sugar. Let stand until it is foamy, about 5 minutes.
  • Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add in the rest of the sugar, oil, salt and egg. Mix throuroughly.
  • Add 2 cups of flour and mix until just combined to avoid splattering during mixing.
  • Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and mix the dough on medium speed for about 10 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup flour gradually.
  • Continue mixing (kneading) for about another 10 minutes or until the dough does not stick on the side and bottom of the bowl anymore. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest in a large bowl greased with oil. Cover with a cloth and wait until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour (depending on the temperature). Check the dough occasionally to avoid over rising (over rising creates a sour bread).
    You may start preparing the filling at this point
  • Once the dough is finished rising, gently punch it down to remove the air and divide the dough into 16 portions. Using a rolling pin or your hands, flatten each portion into an oval that is about the size of your hands.
  • Spread about a tablespoon of the filling across the surface of the dough and roll it into a log and roll or dip in bread crumbs. Repeat this process until all dough has been filled. 
  • Arrange the dough in a baking tray and cover with cloth loosely. Let it rest for about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 175°C. Bake the spanish bread in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

FILLING

  • Heat the butter in a small saucepan until it is bubbly. Add the flour and the breadcrumbs and stir the mixture vigorously with a wire whisk for a few seconds. 
  •  Add the milk immediately and continue stirring until the mixture loosens up a bit.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and mix until it is well incorporated. Adjust the thickness if necessary.