Christmas is one holiday full of Filipino traditions that promote familial ties. One of them is Noche Buena. Family members dine together at 12 midnight to welcome the Yuletide. They partake in enjoyable traditional Noche Buena Fares, which inlcude the queso de bola (edam cheese), hamon (Christmas ham) and ensaymada. With sumptuous treats, the Noche Buena is a much anticipated Christmas affair. Discover the novel ways of using queso de bola and ham in mouth-watering baked products that could lead you to baking glory. 

Ingredients:
Ensaymada Dough
10g           Instant Yeast
250g         Water
180g         Evaporated Milk
120g         Sugar
120g         Butter, softened
120g         Egg Yolks
500g         CONTINENTAL All-Purpose Flour
 

Filling
As Needed       Butter, softened
As Needed       Sweet Ham, sliced
As Needed       Queso de Bola, grated
 

Topping
150g                 Butter
100g                 Sugar
As Needed       Queso de Bola, grated
As Needed       Sweet Ham, sliced to bits

Procedure:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine together yeast and water.
2. Mix until yeast is dissolved.
3. Stir in evaporated milk, sugar, butter, egg yolks and CONTINENTAL All-Purpose Flour.
4. Knead until a soft dough forms, about 5 – 6 minutes.
5. Transfer dough in a greased bowl.
6. Let rise till double, about 1 hour.
7. Punch down dough then divide into 50g pieces.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before rolling into a thin sheet of dough like a rectangular
handkerchief, about 12” x 4” x 1/8” (thick).
9. Brush with soft butter then sprinkle with a little queso de bola and a few pieces of sliced sweet
ham.
10. Roll into a rope then twist into a snail.
11. Place in greased molds.
12. Let rise till double or very fluffy.
13. Bake at 325°F till top is lightly golden, about 8 – 10 minutes.
14. Cool completely before unmolding.
15. Prepare topping by creaming butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, or until almost while.
16. Brush on top of cooled ensaymadas.
17. Top with more queso de bola and bits of sweet ham.

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