I have plenty of baked goods recipes coming soon, and in fact, if you’re up for some serious baking this weekend, check out lengua de gato and otap already posted on the blog. Today, however, is all about a classic Filipino bread, monay.

Nothing beats the warmth of fresh bread hot out of the oven. If you enjoy the comforting aroma of a newly baked loaf in your kitchen, you’re in luck because this is the perfect baking project.

What is monay

Monay is the local adaptation of the Spanish Pan de Monja, which translates to nun’s bread. It’s a slightly sweet, heavy, and dense bun characterized by a deep partition in the center, creating two cheeks.

It’s also known as the “mother of all Filipino bread” as its dough is the base for other types of bread such as the putok or star bread and pinagong. These buns share the same dense texture but have their own distinctive shapes from scoring. While the monay is divided into two halves, the putok has a cracked top, and the pinagong is cut into a turtle form.

Ingredient List

• Active dry yeast– you can substitute instant dry yeast at equal amount. If using instant, there’s no need to proof the yeast and just mix all the ingredients at one time (straight dough method).
• Sugar– enhances flavor and “feeds” the yeast
• Water– rehydrates or dissolves the yeast
• Milk– creates a richer flavor and softer crust; helps the bread to brown quicker
• Butter– adds flavor, results in a higher rise and crisper crust, and extends shelf life
• Egg– makes yeast breads richer and provides color and volume
• All-purpose flour– the recipe was developed using AP flour as it’s more readily available in most households. You can use bread flour without change to the recipe, but note that the buns will have a denser texture due to the higher protein in bread flour.
• Dry milk powder– adds a creamy, milky taste and softens texture
• Salt– enhances flavor, helps with gluten structure, improves crust color, and regulates yeast fermentation for a slow, steady rise.
• Egg wash– gives the crust a golden brown color and sheen

The windowpane test

To check if the dough has been kneaded enough, do a windowpane test. Take a small portion of the dough and stretch with your fingers to form a translucent square in the center. If the dough can stretch without breaking, the gluten is well-developed, and the dough is ready to rise.

The ripe test (first rise)

To check if the dough has risen enough, do a ripe test. Gently stick two fingers in the risen dough up to the second knuckles and then take out. If the indentations remain, the dough is ready to be punched down,

How to serve

One of my favorite memories growing up was making a panaderia run with my cousins after our afternoon siesta. We’d head back to our ancestral home carrying a brown bag of hot monay, eager to bite into one with a generous slathering of Chez whiz or coco jam. The buns were the perfect merienda paired with an ice-cold glass of Tang!

How to store fresh bread

• Homemade bread doesn’t have preservatives, so it doesn’t have as long a shelf life as commercial bread. Stored in an airtight container, it will last at room temperature for about 3 to 4 days.
• For longer storage, wrap tightly with film place in a resealable bag, and freeze.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw and reheat in a toaster oven.

More Filipino bread recipes

Ube Cheese Pandesal are a new twist on our classic Filipino dinner roll. Ultra-soft and delicious nashville filipino food with an intense purple-yam flavor and melty cheese filling, they’re great for breakfast or anytime snack

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