Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe

If you’ve ever fallen head over heels for the vibrant purple hue and sweet, creamy flavor of ube, then you’re in for a treat with this Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe. This recipe combines soft, fluffy bread rolls filled with luscious ube jam, all topped with a gorgeous toasted coconut crust that adds the perfect crunch and nutty aroma. Honestly, I absolutely love how this turns out every time—it’s like having a little bite of Filipino comfort right from your own kitchen. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to nail these beautiful rolls.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role here—the warm water wakes up the yeast just right, the butter keeps the bread soft, and the shredded coconut gives you that irresistible toasted crunch. When shopping, pick fresh eggs and good-quality unsweetened shredded coconut for the best results.

• Warm water: Needs to be about 110°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Active dry yeast: The magic behind your dough’s rise and fluffiness.
• Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and sweetens the dough gently.
• Milk: Adds richness and tenderizes the bread.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten.
• Unsalted butter: Soft for the dough, melted for brushing and topping—this keeps things moist and flavorful.
• Large eggs: Room temperature helps with even mixing and better rise.
• All purpose flour: Provides structure but still yields softness.
• Canola oil: A neutral oil to keep bread tender without extra flavor.
• Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramelized sweetness to the coconut topping.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: When toasted, brings a nutty aroma and crunch.
• Ube jam: This is the star filling—choose your favorite brand or homemade for best flavor.

Variations

I love customizing this Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe depending on the season or my mood. You’ll find it easy to swap things out or add your own twist that makes the rolls yours. Feel free to get creative!

• Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar: I tried this once, and it gave a lovely deeper caramel flavor to the coconut topping.
• Swap canola oil for coconut oil: If you like an extra hint of coconut aroma, this swap works beautifully.
• Make vegan adjustments: Try plant-based milk and vegan butter, and use a flax egg replacement to make these rolls dairy- and egg-free.
• Add a cream cheese swirl inside with the ube jam: My family goes crazy for this combo—it adds creaminess and balances the sweet flavors.

How to Make Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Prepare the Dough Base

Start by mixing your warm water (around 110°F) with the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. I like to let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy and bubbly—that’s how you know the yeast is alive and kicking. While waiting, warm up your milk gently, then combine it with sugar, salt, soft butter, and lightly beaten eggs. When your yeast mixture is ready, add it to the wet ingredients. Then, slowly incorporate your flour, kneading as you go until you have a soft, smooth dough that’s slightly tacky but not sticky. This step sets the foundation—don’t rush it!

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Cover your dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. I usually let mine rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size. It’s kind of magical seeing that dough puff up—be patient and don’t skip this part as it really gives you that fluffy, soft texture.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls and Add Ube Jam

Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air and divide it evenly into 12 portions. Flatten each piece into a small disk, then spoon a generous swirl of ube jam right in the center. Fold the edges over to seal the filling inside, tucking the seams neatly underneath. You’ll find that sealing well prevents the ube jam from leaking out as it bakes, keeping your rolls pretty and delicious.

Step 4: Prepare the Toasted Coconut Topping

In a small bowl, mix the melted cooled butter with brown sugar and shredded coconut. Toast this mixture in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning, until golden brown and fragrant—trust me, the smell will have you drooling. Set this aside to cool while you prepare the rolls for baking.

Step 5: Brush, Top, and Bake

Place your filled rolls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, brush each top with some melted butter, and then sprinkle the toasted coconut mixture generously over them. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until the rolls turn a lovely golden brown. I usually keep an eye on them from 18 minutes onward so they don’t over-bake, as you still want that soft pull-apart interior.

How to Serve Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra toasted shredded coconut on top just before serving for an eye-catching finish and added texture. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar works beautifully too, especially when serving for morning brunch or afternoon tea.

Side Dishes

Oh, these rolls shine alongside a hot cup of coffee or rich, creamy hot chocolate. Sometimes I serve them with fresh tropical fruits like mango slices or pineapple to complement the coconut and ube flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I arrange the rolls in a circular or braided shape on a large platter, topped with clusters of toasted coconut. It not only looks stunning but invites sharing around the table. Another fun idea is to serve individual rolls in mini paper liners for a charming party treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover rolls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them soft and fresh, ready to be enjoyed without losing that fluffy texture.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, I usually freeze the unbaked rolls after shaping but before the final rise—just pop them in a freezer-safe bag. Then, when I’m ready, I quickly thaw and let them rise before baking. You can also freeze baked rolls; just wrap them well and defrost slowly when needed.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes to refresh the bread’s softness and gently warm the ube filling. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the bread chewy or dry.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut Recipe enough. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it feels like a warm hug in bread form. Whether you’re new to baking bread or an experienced bread maker, these rolls are approachable, fun, and absolutely delicious. So grab your ingredients, get your hands doughy, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this vibrant, flavorful Filipino delight—I promise, they’ll thank you for it!

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