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ube bread rolls topped with ube cream cheese frosting.
5 from 1 vote

Ube Bread Rolls

Soft and fluffy ube bread rolls filled with ube halaya and topped with sweet cream cheese. This cinnamon roll variation is sure to become a family favorite!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Proof Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Filipino
Servings: 12
Calories: 403kcal
Author: Maryanne Cabrera

Ingredients

Dough:

  • ½ cup warm water, (113 g) about 110°F
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (7 g)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • ½ cup well-shaken canned coconut milk (120 g)
  • 1 large egg , room temp
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (520 g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (84 g), softened, room temp

Filling:

  • ½ cup ube halaya (180 g)
  • ½ teaspoon ube extract, optional
  • ¼ cup well-shaken coconut milk (60 g), reserve for pouring over proofed rolls

Frosting:

  • 4 oz block style cream cheese (113 g)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (57 g) softened, room temp
  • 2 Tablespoons ube halaya (40 g)
  • 1 ½ cups unsifted powdered sugar (175 g)
  • 2 Tablespoons well-shaken coconut milk (30 g)
  • ½ teaspoon ube extract , optional

Instructions

Dough:

  • Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Stir until well combined. Let sit for 5-7 minutes to activate yeast. Mixture should foam and smell like beer.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together activated yeast mixture, remaining sugar, coconut milk, and egg.
  • Whisk salt into flour. Add half of flour mixture to mixing bowl. Use dough hook attachment to combine ingredients. Knead on low speed while adding softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Add remaining flour and mix on low speed until dough comes together.
  • Increase to medium speed. Knead until dough is smooth and clears the sides of the bowl, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover bowl with reusable silicone lid (or with plastic wrap). Keep at room temperature until double has doubled in volume, about 1 hour.*
  • Punch dough risen dough. Transfer dough to a clean working surface. Roll dough into a 20x14-inch rectangle.

Filling:

  • If desired, mix optional ube extract into ube halaya.
  • Spread ube halaya evenly all over the rolled dough.
  • Starting at the long side, roll dough into a log. Slice log into 12 equal parts. Place rolls into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan (quarter sheet pan size).
  • Cover with reusable lid or plastic warp. Let rest at room temperature until rolls have risen and puffed up, about 45 minutes.*
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove cover or plastic wrap from rolls. Pour reserved coconut milk over roll. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating pan midway through baking. Bake until rolls are golden brown on top and the internal temperature of the bread rolls registers at least 185°F. Let rolls rest for 10 minutes before topping with frosting.

Frosting:

  • Beat together cream cheese, butter, and ube halaya until smooth. Add powdered sugar, coconut milk, and ube extract. Beat until smooth and well combined.
  • Spread frosting over warm rolls.

Notes

*See blog post for MAKE AHEAD OPTION.
Ingredient Notes:
  • Yeast: Active dry yeast is recommended. Detailed instructions for yeast in this baking with yeast post. 
  • Coconut milk: Use full-fat canned unsweetened coconut milk for best flavor. Alternatively, use any milk or milk alternative such as cow's milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc.
  • Ube halaya: Also known as ube jam or halayang ube. It is a cooked dish made from boiled, mashed purple yam, milk, butter, and sugar. This can be purchased at Filipino super markets or large Asian supermarkets. Or, make it from scratch. 
  • Ube extract: Available for purchase through Amazon. Widely available at Filipino and Asian supermarkets. Find it in the baking section. Look for the McCormick or Butterfly brand. 
Dough Resting and Proofing Notes: 
  • Humidity and temperature greatly affects how long it takes for the dough to rise. It may take longer than estimated time in recipe for dough to rise during winter or in cold surroundings. 
  • Yeast likes warm, humid environments. 
  • Yeasted dough rise best at a room temperature of 75 degrees F.
Leftovers and Storage: Fresh baked rolls can be left at room temperature for 24 hours. Once frosted, it can left at room temperature for 10-12 hours. Keep frosted rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
Reheating Notes:
  • To reheat in the microwave: place one bun on a microwave safe plate along with a mug filled with about 1/2 cup water. Cook for 20 second intervals until bread is soft and warm. (the water will prevent the bread from getting gummy)
  •  Alternatively, reheat rolls in a toaster oven until warm. 

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal, Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 271mg, Potassium: 122mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 321IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 3mg