Ube Desserts: 5 Delicious Ways to Use the Viral Purple Yam

If you've spent any time scrolling through food videos lately, you've probably seen ube. With its striking purple color and naturally sweet flavor, this Filipino purple yam has become one of the internet's favorite ingredients.

Ube has a unique taste that many people describe as a blend of vanilla, coconut, and subtle nutty notes. While it's famous for eye-catching desserts, this versatile ingredient can be used in everything from ice cream to cookies and soft baked goods.

If you're looking to try this colorful ingredient for yourself, here are five delicious ube recipes to get you started.

Filipino Ube Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 10 oz cooked and mashed ube
• 16 oz cream cheese
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 320°F.
2. Mix all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan.
4. Bake for about 55 minutes.
5. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before serving.

In the Philippines, ube is often paired with coconut. For extra flavor, top the cheesecake with:

• Toasted coconut flakes
• Sweetened shredded coconut
• A drizzle of coconut cream

Homemade Ube Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked and mashed ube
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Blend the ube into a smooth puree.
2. Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
3. Fold in the condensed milk and ube puree.
4. Transfer to a freezer-safe container.
5. Freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.

Purple Ube Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed ube
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour portions of batter onto a lightly greased skillet or griddle.
3. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side until golden.
4. Serve with maple syrup or toasted coconut.

Soft Ube Dinner Rolls

Ingredients

• 2 cups mashed ube
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 oz fresh yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions

1. Knead all ingredients into a soft dough.
2. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour.
3. Shape into rolls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden.

Ube and White Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed ube
• 7 tablespoons softened butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 oz white chocolate, chopped

Instructions

1. Cream together the butter and sugar.
2. Add the egg and mashed ube.
3. Mix in the flour and white chocolate.
4. Form into cookie dough balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes.

More Delicious Ube Desserts to Try

Once you've fallen in love with ube, there are plenty of other treats worth exploring:

• Ube layer cake
• Ube and coconut roll cake
• Ube mousse cups
• Ube and chocolate truffles rolled in cocoa powder
• Croissants filled with ube cream
• Ube tiramisu
• Glazed ube donuts
• Ube coconut pudding
• Ube milkshakes

With its beautiful color and naturally sweet flavor, it's easy to see why ube has become a favorite ingredient around the world. Whether you're making cheesecake, cookies, pancakes, or ice cream, this vibrant purple root vegetable is sure to add something special to your dessert table.