Step by step

This recipe is based on Kawaling Pinoy's delicious pandesal, which I modified to include cocoa powder, red food coloring, and delicious cream cheese filling. The result is a pillowy soft bun that is as pretty as it is tasty!

making red velvet pandesal dough in a mixer bowl

Step 1: make the dough

In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the yeast and about one teaspoon of the sugar in warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes, or until foamy. This step is to "prove" the yeast is alive and active. Make sure the water is at 105 - 115 F temperature as too hot liquids will kill the yeast.

If using instant dry yeast, use the same amount, and add directly to the dry ingredients without proofing. Reduce the rise time by 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the milk, the remaining sugar, eggs, softened, butter, salt, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Stir everything well.

Add 2 cups of flour and use a stand mixer to beat the mixture until combined. Gradually add 2 ½ cups of flour, half a cup at a time, and continue beating to combine. If the dough is still too wet, add a few tablespoons of the reserved flour just until the dough gathers into a shaggy mass.

Can you substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour? Yes, but the results won't be exactly the same. Bread flour has a higher gluten content, resulting in a chewier texture.

Step 2: knead and proof

To make kneading easier, grease work surface and your hands with oil and sprinkle the dough with flour, but do so sparingly as oversaturating the dough with oil will keep it from rising and adding too much flour will make it dry.

Knead the dough until it's smooth, elastic, and has lost a lot of its stickiness. To check if the dough is well-kneaded, do the windowpane test. Take a small portion of the dough and with your fingers, stretch it out to form a square. A translucent film should form in the center without breaking easily.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Place in a draft-free area and let rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Once risen, gently deflate the dough. On a flat surface, shape the dough into a log about 20 inches long and divide in half. Shape and elongate each half into 12 inches long and cut into 12 even portions, totaling 24 portions.

filling pandesal dough with cream cheese filling

Step 3: assembly and baking

With your palms, flatten a dough portion and spoon about ½ tablespoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of the dough.

Fold the edges of the dough towards the center to cover the filling and shape the dough into a smooth ball. Tuck the ends under to seal.

Roll the dough balls in bread crumbs and arrange in a single layer at about 1-inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Cover the pan loosely with a kitchen towel or paper wrap and allow to rise for 40 to 50 minutes, or until puffy and doubled in size.

Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for about 20 to 23 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden. Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool as the filling might be too hot.

Cream cheese filling

The soft, fluffy bread rolls are a treat on their own, but the perfectly sweet and creamy filling takes them over the top!

In a mixing bowl, briefly beat the cream cheese just until fluffy.

Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat just until the mixture is lump-free. Do not overbeat so as not to soften the cream cheese too much.

Cover and keep refrigerated until ready to use.

red velvet bread rolls on a parchment paper

How to serve

Red velvet pandesal are delicious for breakfast or at any time of the day snack. They're best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but practice caution as the filling can be scalding hot.

Store leftovers in an airtight container to extend freshness. They'll keep at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

To reheat in the oven, place the bread rolls in a baking dish and bake in a 350 F oven for 5 to 7 minutes until warm. To reheat in the microwave, arrange on a microwavable plate and cover with a slightly damp kitchen towel. Microwave for about 30 to 40 seconds or just until warm and not piping hot lest they turn tough and chewy.

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