WATCH: How to Make Monay

Monay is also known as Pan de Monja and is a popular dense bread roll commonly found in most small bakeries in the Philippines. It has a distinct indentation on the middle of the bread, dividing the bread into halves. This easy recipe allows you to make your own monay at home!

Monay Recipe

Makes 12 pieces

3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup powdered skim milk
1 cup and 3 tablespoons water
1/8 cup margarine
extra margarine and white sugar, for topping
1 In a large clean bowl, add flour, yeast, salt, baking powder, brown sugar, powdered skim milk. Make sure the yeast and the salt are not touching each other. Make a well in the center.
2 Gently pour in the water into the well.
3 Mix with a spatula until combined and the dough is ragged.
4 Once the dough forms a ragged mass, transfer to a lightly floured surface and then knead until the dough is smooth and glossy.
5 Transfer to a lightly-oiled bowl and then cover with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
6 Deflate the dough and then transfer to a lightly-floured surface.
7 Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and then roll tightly into a ball. Place on a baking tray. Make an indentation on each ball with scissors.
8 Cover with a damp towel and let it rest (proof) for 1-1/2 hours.
9 Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
10 Once sufficiently proofed, bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
11 Brush tops with margarine and then sprinkle with white sugar.