Philippines · Southeast Asia

Señorita Bread (Filipino Spanish Bread)

Name: Señorita Bread (Filipino Spanish Bread)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 16 rolls
Cuisine: Philippines
Ingredients: 500 g (4 cups) bread flour; 60 g (1/4 cup) sugar; 7 g (2 tsp) instant yeast; 200 ml (3/4 cup) warm milk; 1 egg; 60 g (4 tbsp) softened butter; 1 tsp salt; 80 g (6 tbsp) softened butter; 100 g (1 cup) fine dry breadcrumbs; 80 g (1/3 cup) sugar; 3 tbsp milk powder; 1 tsp vanilla; Extra breadcrumbs, for rolling

Soft rolls with a sweet buttery breadcrumb filling

🛂 Passport Stamp No.018 · Postmarked in Philippines

40m

Prep

15m

Bake

16 rolls

Makes

Intermediate

Level

Jump to recipe ↓

Postmark · Philippines

🏛 A little history

Despite the name, Spanish bread is a Filipino panadería (bakery) staple — a soft, sweet roll wrapped around a buttery breadcrumb-and-sugar filling and coated in more crumbs. The 'Spanish' name likely nods to the colonial era, but the bread itself is a local creation.

Señorita bread is its richer, more delicate cousin — smaller, softer, and even more buttery — a beloved merienda (afternoon snack) eaten with coffee across the Philippines.

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

Mix the dough ingredients and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Make the filling: blend the softened butter, breadcrumbs, sugar, milk powder, and vanilla into a spreadable paste.
Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each into an oval.
Spread filling over each, roll into a log, then roll the log in extra breadcrumbs to coat.
Place seam-down on a lined sheet and proof 45 minutes until puffy.
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 13–15 minutes until light golden. Best served warm.

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Roll them tight so the filling doesn't leak out.
Don't overbake — señorita bread should stay pale and pillowy soft.

Pantry

All-Purpose Flour

The everyday workhorse for cakes, cookies, and breads.

🧺 Pantry staple

Pantry

Sugar

Sweetens and helps bakes turn golden and tender.

🧺 Pantry staple

Pantry

Vanilla Extract

A splash of warm, sweet aroma in every batter.

🧺 Pantry staple

Pantry

Butter

A rich, creamy base for doughs and frostings.

🧺 Pantry staple

Tools

Parchment Paper

Non-stick lining so nothing sticks to the pan.

Find it in the Shop →

Tools

Rolling Pin

Tapered hardwood pin for smooth, even rolling.

Find it in the Shop →

Tools

Bench Scraper

Cuts dough and scoops up your workspace in one move.

Find it in the Shop →

Señorita Bread (Filipino Spanish Bread)

🏛 A little history

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Shop this recipe

All-Purpose Flour

Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Butter

Parchment Paper

Rolling Pin

Bench Scraper

Keep travelling ✈

Swedish Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)

Sapin-Sapin (Layered Rice Cake)