Señorita Bread Recipe – Do you like bread rolls? There is a variety of bread rolls you can try in Filipino cuisine. These bread rolls can range from a sweet roll with an unexpected filling like munggo bread to a colorful bread roll like pan de regla. There are also Filipino twists to a classic like Ube Cinnamon Rolls. For something simple yet flavorful, you should try Señorita Bread. Otherwise known as Filipino Spanish Bread, it is a fairly simple roll on paper but makes for a delightful treat.
This soft bread roll, with its sweet and buttery filling, is a popular choice for an afternoon snack or ‘merienda.’ The bread is rolled in bread crumbs, giving it a light crunch, and then baked to a beautiful golden hue. Originally introduced by the Spaniards, it has become a beloved part of Filipino cuisine. Over time people developed the recipe with various shapes, fillings, and flavors being developed by creative Filipinos. Whether enjoyed with a warm cup of your favorite beverage or savored at any time of the day, Filipino Spanish Bread is a delicious treat that is definitely worth the time and effort to make. One simple Señorita Bread Recipe you can make is as follows:
Señorita Bread
Ingredients
Ingredients For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk (warmed)
- 3 tbsp castor sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ⁄4 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 3 cups bread flour
Ingredients For the Filling:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ cup brown sugar (or white sugar or light brown sugar)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Other Ingredients for Rolling
- extra breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
Preparing the Dough
- In a large bowl of your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl if doing it manually, let’s start by whisking together the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap or towel and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast gets activated and looks foamy.
- Now, add the egg, butter, salt, the rest of the sugar, and half of the flour to the bowl. If you’re using a stand mixer, use the dough hook or paddle attachment. Mix everything on low speed for about 30-45 seconds, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula in between. Then, add the other half of the flour.
- Increase the speed to medium and beat the mixture for about 4 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and comes together. The dough might be a little sticky, but that’s normal. It should still be soft enough to be kneaded.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or cling wrap. Let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Making the Filling
- While the dough is resting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Once melted, turn off the heat and add in the flour, breadcrumbs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Depending on the sugar you use, the filling’s color might vary. In this batch, I used dark brown sugar, so the filling has a darker shade. If you use white sugar or light brown sugar, the filling will be more of a light caramel color. Either way, the texture should resemble a spreadable paste-like mixture.
Assembling the Señorita Bread
- Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down with your clean fists to release the air inside. It’s quite satisfying, isn’t it?
- Now, divide the dough into 14-16 equal pieces. It doesn’t need to be exact, so don’t worry about precision. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and transfer them onto a floured surface.
- Take each ball of dough and roll it into a triangle shape. You can refer to the picture in the post above to get an idea.
- Spread the sugar filling on each piece of dough. Start from the long edge of the triangle and roll each piece inwards. The picture above will give you a better visual reference.
- Brush some extra melted butter on the rolled dough, and then roll it in the crushed bread crumbs. Yum!
Baking the Bread
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking sheet if you have one. They’re fantastic!
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and let them bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown on top.
- Once they’re done, you can serve the Señorita Bread warm, or if you prefer, let them cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Trust me, they taste delicious either way!
Other Notes for a Señorita Bread Recipe
In addition to the recipe, there are a variety of things to note when making the recipe. When making breadcrumbs for your recipe, it’s best to stick to plain ones rather than flavored varieties. They provide a neutral base that won’t overpower the taste of your dish. If you can’t find bread flour, don’t worry! All-purpose flour can be a great substitute. Just remember to use it in a 1:1 ratio with the bread flour called for in the recipe. In case you don’t have instant yeast on hand, you can easily swap it with active dry yeast. However, before using it, make sure to test its effectiveness. Simply dissolve the yeast in warm milk and wait for a few minutes. If you see some bubbles forming, you’re good to go!
When preparing the filling for your dish, you have the option of cooking it first with a mixture of milk and flour. This step helps thicken the filling and enhances its flavor. If your dough feels too wet or sticky while kneading, don’t panic. Simply add a little more flour gradually until you achieve the right consistency. When it comes to rolling out the dough, aim for a thickness that is not too thin but also not too thick.
And don’t be shy with the filling! Generously spread it over the dough to ensure every bite is packed with deliciousness. To give your logs a nice finishing touch, you can use a pastry brush to apply evaporated milk, egg yolk, melted butter, or water before rolling them in breadcrumbs. Lastly, if you don’t have plastic wrap on hand, no worries! A damp cloth or pot lids work just as well to cover the dough as it rises.
If you want to try out other pastry recipes, you should check out our “Date Roll Recipe” and “Sweet Toast Recipe.” You can also explore more classic Filipino bread dishes such as “Pandesal.”
