Ube Cheese Siopao Recipe

Make the dough by placing warm water in a bowl then add the yeast and sugar, and mix well. Leave the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, ube food coloring, shortening (or lard), and the yeast-sugar-water mixture then mix well. (Bubbles should have formed on top by then.)

Knead the dough until the texture of the dough becomes fine and smooth. Place in the mixing bowl and cover the top with a towel or linen. Let the dough rise by setting it aside for at least an hour.

After one hour, punch the dough to release the air.

Cut the dough into as many equal pieces as you desire. (I made 8.)

Flatten each dough piece into a pizza-like shape then put some ube halaya together with a cube of quickmelt cheese in the center. Seal closed. 

Repeat the process for all the other pieces. Put all the siopao inside the steamer insert.

Cover the dough again for 30 minutes.

Let it steam for about 15 minutes.