Ensaimada

Ingredients:

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar                                    
3/4    cup warm water
4        teaspoons active dry yeast                     
1         cup all-purpose flour
1        cup butter, softened                                
3/4    cup sugar
1        tablespoon salt                                        
8        egg yolks
4        cups all-purpose flour
Melted butter for brushing grated cheese

How to make ensaimada:

• Dissolve the sugar in the warm water. Add the yeast and let stand until softened
• Add flour gradually until well blended.
• Cover bowl with a damp cloth and set aside in warm place for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cream butter and sugar thoroughly; add salt and egg yolks, beating well
after each addition.
• Add all-purpose flour gradually, blending well. Add this mixture to the sponge yeast. Mix well.
• Put dough in slightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm
 place for 2 hours.
• Punch down. Divide dough into desired size of rolls. Roll out thinly.
• Spread surface with melted butter and sprinkle with grated cheese.
• Roll as in jelly
roll, starting from the lower left hand corner and coil into shape.
• Place in greased ensaimada molds. Let rise for 2 hours.
• Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees F for from 10 to 15 minutes.
• After taking out from oven, brush with butter and sprinkle with grated
cheese and sugar.
• Yield: 2 dozens.