Ensaymada

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm milk, and ½ cup sugar, stirring until yeast and sugar dissolves. Set aside for 10 minutes while yeast activates.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and remaining sugar.
3. Add eggs, ½ cup butter, and yeast mixture to flour mixture. Mix thoroughly until ingredients form a dough.
4. Turn dough out on a work surface and knead until smooth.
5. Return dough to mixing bowl and cover with a cloth. Let rest for 2 hours.
6. Place risen dough on work surface and flatten. Punch dough to release air bubbles.
7. Using a knife or dough slicer, separate dough into four pieces. Roll each piece into a cylindrical shape.
8. Cut cylindrical dough into individual pieces (approximately 4–6 pieces per cylinder).
9. Flatten individual pieces with a rolling pin.
10. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup melted butter with ¼ cup sugar. Brush mixture onto center of flattened dough.
11. Sprinkle cheese onto buttered area. Seal cheese inside dough by folding opposite ends of dough and rolling in a cylindrical shape.
12. Form a spiral shape by coiling ends of the cylinder. The first end should be placed under the dough while the opposite end should be inserted in the middle after coiling.
13. Prepare a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Place coiled rolls on sheet, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise for 40–45 minutes.
14. In a preheated oven, bake rolls at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until golden.
15. Remove from oven and brush remaining butter and sugar mixture on top of rolls. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, if desired.
16. Serve warm.