Ube Cookies Recipe – Authentic Filipino Purple Yam Treats

Last Updated on 6 months ago by Neha Deshmukh

Ube Cookies Recipe – Authentic Filipino Purple Yam Treats

Hey everyone! If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen all the purple food. And honestly? I’m here for it! Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of ube with these incredibly soft, chewy, and flavorful Ube Cookies. I first made these for a family get-together, and they were gone in minutes – seriously! They’re a little bit of work, but trust me, the vibrant color and unique taste are so worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These aren’t just pretty cookies; they’re a little slice of Filipino sunshine. The ube flavor is subtly sweet and vanilla-like, and the texture is just heavenly. They’re soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth, and have a beautiful, delicate crumb. Plus, who can resist a cookie that’s naturally purple?!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these magical ube cookies:

• 1 cup All-purpose flour (about 120g)
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Butter, softened (226g)
• 1 cup Granulated sugar (200g)
• 1 cup Light brown sugar, packed (220g)
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Ube extract
• 1 cup Ube halaya (purple yam jam)

Ingredient Notes

A few little things to keep in mind while you’re gathering your ingredients:

• Butter: Make sure your butter is properly softened. Not melted, but easily pliable. This is key for that perfect cookie texture.
• Ube Halaya: This is the star of the show! You can find it at most Asian grocery stores, or even online.
• Ube Extract: This boosts the ube flavor and helps intensify the purple color. Don’t skip it if you can help it!
• Flour: Spoon and level your flour when measuring to avoid adding too much.

Ube Halaya: The Heart of the Flavor

Ube halaya is a traditional Filipino jam made from purple yam. It’s naturally sweet and has a subtle vanilla flavor. It’s what gives these cookies their beautiful color and unique taste. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own ube halaya from scratch!

Ube Extract: Enhancing the Purple Hue and Taste

Ube extract is a concentrated flavoring that really amplifies the ube experience. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. It also helps to create that gorgeous, vibrant purple color we all love.

Regional Variations in Ube Varieties

Did you know there are different varieties of ube? ‘Purple Sweet Potato’ (Ube) and ‘Greater Yam’ (Ube) are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different flavors and textures. The ‘Purple Sweet Potato’ is more common and has a milder, sweeter taste.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Let’s get baking!

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, ube extract, and ube halaya until well combined. The mixture will be a beautiful lavender color!
4. Combine the mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Chill the dough: This is important! Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and freeze for about 10 minutes. Then, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight. This helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
6. Coat in sugars: Roll each chilled cookie dough ball in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar. This gives them a lovely, slightly crunchy exterior.
7. Bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Bake on the top oven rack for best results.
8. (Optional) Inject filling: While the cookies cool, prepare a coconut marshmallow mixture with coconut extract. Use a cookie injector to add filling through the bottoms of the cookies.

Expert Tips

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way to help you make the best ube cookies:

• Achieving the Perfect Soft Texture: Don’t overbake! These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy.
• Working with Ube Halaya Consistency: The consistency of ube halaya can vary. If it’s very thick, you might need to add a tablespoon or two of milk to the dough.
• Preventing Cookies from Spreading: Chilling the dough is crucial. It really helps them hold their shape.

Variations

Want to get creative? Here are a few ideas:

• Vegan Ube Cookies: Substitute the butter with vegan butter and the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water).
• Gluten-Free Ube Cookies: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Adjusting the Sweetness Level: Reduce the granulated sugar by ¼ cup if you prefer a less sweet cookie.
• Festival Adaptations: My aunt always adds a sprinkle of edible glitter to these for Filipino fiestas – it makes them extra festive!

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are delicious on their own, but they’re even better with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. They’re also a beautiful addition to any dessert platter.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

FAQs

Let’s answer some common questions:

• What is Ube and where does it come from? Ube is a purple yam originally from the Philippines. It’s a staple ingredient in many Filipino desserts.
• Can I use fresh Ube instead of Ube Halaya? You can, but it’s a lot more work! You’ll need to boil, peel, and mash the ube, then sweeten it to make a similar consistency to ube halaya.
• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked? Look for lightly golden edges and a slightly soft center. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
• What does Ube extract taste like? It has a subtle vanilla-like flavor with a hint of nuttiness.
• Can these cookies be made ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Enjoy these little bites of purple perfection! I hope you love them as much as my family does. Let me know in the comments how yours turn out!