Our favorite buttery bread is made into cupcakes! Soft buttery cake topped with sugar, cheese, and yes more butter. It may be an unusual trio to some, but they are exactly the reasons why we, Filipinos, love Ensaymada. A triple treat that is hard to resist.
Ensaymada is a popular and favorite bread in the Philippines. Considered a special treat to many compared to other bread because of its high egg and butter content, quite similar to brioche actually.
Making the bread does need some time but making these cupcakes, on the other hand, is way easier, faster, and fun to make. No need for dough-rising or shaping.
The recipe calls for two kinds of fat, oil, and butter, but you can use pure butter to make it even richer.
The actual frosting for the Ensaymada comprises regular white sugar mixed with butter then topped with cheese and then sprinkled with more sugar. If you prefer a smoother texture when you bite into the cakes, use powdered sugar instead of regular sugar.
I still recommend sprinkling a little bit of that granulated sweetness over the cheese though. It is Ensaymada after all.
These cupcakes are so so rich and filling. Pair it with coffee, tea, or dark hot chocolate for a more delightful afternoon snack.
And oh! It is best served warm. Put it in the microwave for 40 seconds, without the liners, and a delicious warm cake with melted butter, sugar and cheese will greet you as you open the oven. Hmmmm….
Love baking? You MUST TRY these recipes!
- Carrot Banana Muffins
- Tres Leches Cake
- Easy Chocolate Cake
- Cornbread Muffins
- The Best Cheese Cupcakes with Cheese Crumble
- Banana Chocolate Marble Bread
- Soft Spanish Bread
- Brown Pandesal
- Filipino Pan de Coco
- Moist Banana Muffins with Oatmeal Crunch
Watch the video on how to make Ensaymada Cupcakes
Enjoy!
Ensaymada Cupcakes (Original Recipe)
Ingredients
Homemade Buttermilk
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar or lemon juice
Cup Cake
- ¼ cup butter (unsalted)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (i used canola)
- 2 whole eggs
- ¾ cup white sugar (add more if desired)
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- ¼ cup butter (unsalted)
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar or 1/4 cup white sugar (add more if desired)
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons white sugar to sprinkle (optional)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Pre-heat oven to 350f/180c.
- Place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake tin.
- To make the buttermilk, combine milk and vinegar. Stir briefly then set aside for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine butter, oil, and sugar. Whisk vigorously until mixture becomes pale and fluffy. Add eggs then continue whisking until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Once buttermilk mixture has curdled, add it to the butter mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in two portions. Whisk until just combined. DO NOT OVER-MIX. Use a spatula if you must.
- Fill each cupcake liner with the batter. They should just be over 3/4 full. Use a big spoon or icecream scoop.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Topping
- Mix butter and sugar. Spread over each cupcake then top with grated cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle some white sugar over the cheese. This is an optional step but makes the cakes even more “Ensaymada-ish”.
- Serve with coffee, tea or dark hot chocolate.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- The recipe calls for two kinds of fat, oil, and butter, but you can use pure butter to make it even richer.
- To make a perfect cupcake texture, make sure that the fat and sugar are thoroughly combined. The color should be pale and the mixture will be a little fluffy before adding in the eggs.
- The cupcakes are best served warm. Put it in the microwave for 40 seconds, without the liners, and a delicious warm cake with melted butter, sugar and cheese will greet you as you open the oven.
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I tried many times of making ensaymada, YOURS is different and I really liked the outcome of your recipes, thanks a lot, from now on I will add this as Meryenda ?
Thanks Lorna! I’m so happy to hear you liked this recipe. Enjoy your meryenda 🙂
My friends love this. One ask me to make Ube flavor. Have you tried to make this Ube flavor?
You read my mind ? Soon ❤️
Can I use regular milk or evaporated milk instead of buttermilk?
You can use evaporated milk to make buttermilk. Use the same measurements as directed.
Hi how many cups do
I need if use ready to use butternilk?
Hi Joy, use the same amount as indicated in the recipe.
Hi. Can I use a round cake pan instead of muffin pan? Also, if I need to bake more for a big group can double the recipe and still get the same yummy result?
Thanks – Gina
Yes, it should work. For the cake, I suggest using 2 layers/ 2 round cake pan. A thick batter takes longer to bake.
Made this just now and wow, it’s so good. ? My family asked me to make some more. Thanks for the recipe! ??
I’m so happy to hear that JC! Glad you and your family loved it!
Loved this ensaymada cupcakes! Baked & gave to my officemates as my birthday treat!
i would like to try this recipe..can we add salted egg toppings too? i think ensaymadas are even more tasty with it =)
That’s a great idea! I haven’t tried in this recipe though. Please let me know how it goes 🙂
Will try it this week and will send some pics ?
yey! Enjoy!
Is it ok to use Muscovado sugar and how much?
White sugar is recommended for this recipe. I haven’t personally tried muscovado.
Try ko syang gawin this week since bday ng apo ko.Looks masarap tingnan.
Thanks for Maria! I hope your apos enjoy the cupcakes. Send pics ha 🙂
how much buttermilk do I use?
3/4 cup. It’s in the recipe card.
I tried your ensaymada CUPCAKE recipe and came out perfect. They are all gone by the time i’m about to take pictures. They are asking me to make more. Thank you for this delicious recipe.
I’m so happy to hear that Tony! Please come back here any time 🙂
Hello! Can you tell me the brands you used for this recipe like the white vinegar, cheddar cheese, etc? Thanks.
just use your favorite brands. It should be fine. For the cheese, I use Kraft. You can use premium cheddar cheeses too 🙂
Your recipe for ensaymada cupcakes calls for buttermilk and you use whole milk and vinegar but, does it make a difference if you use apple cider or white vinegar
recommended is white vinegar as it has a subtle smell and less potent
Thank you, can’t wait to try out this recipe
let me know how it goes! send some photos 🙂
Can buttermilk from the store be used to make it easier?
yes, most definitely!
The recipe is missing how many eggs it calls for
thank you for letting me know Rowena! I’ve updated it.
Thank you for updating the recipe. My husband enjoyed the cupcakes.
I’m so glad to hear that 🙂