Ube Cake: A Vibrant Filipino Dessert
Ube Cake: A Vibrant Filipino Dessert
Contents
Ube cake is a traditional Filipino chiffon or sponge cake made with mashed purple yam (ube halaya), giving it a distinctive vibrant purple color. It’s soft, moist, and typically layered with buttercream, whipped cream, or cream cheese frosting. The cake is popular at celebrations and resembles versions sold at Filipino bakeries like Red Ribbon and Goldilocks.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 260 g cake flour
- 10 g baking powder
- 4 egg yolks
- 8 fl oz ube halaya (mashed purple yam)
- 1 tsp ube extract (optional, for deeper color/flavor)
- 100 g granulated sugar (divided: ⅓ cup + ¾ cup)
- 4 fl oz coconut cream or milk
- 2 fl oz vegetable oil
- 10 egg whites
- 4 g cream of tartar
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prep pans: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Dry mix: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
- Wet mix: In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, ube halaya, oil, coconut cream, and ⅓ cup sugar until smooth.
- Combine: Fold flour mixture into the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk.
- Meringue: Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add ¾ cup sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold: Gently fold ¼ of the meringue into the batter, then fold in the rest.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans. Bake 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Invert pans onto a rack and cool completely before frosting.
Frosting Options (Choose One)
- Ube Buttercream: Beat 567 g softened butter, 550 g powdered sugar, 2 fl oz coconut cream, and ube extract to taste.
- Whipped Cream: Whip 2 cups heavy cream with ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp ube extract.
Variations
| Variation | Key Differences | Common Frosting |
|---|---|---|
| Ube Macapuno Cake | Adds coconut string jam (macapuno) between layers | Whipped cream or ube buttercream |
| Ube Mamón | Baked as cupcakes or muffins | Less frosting, often plain |
| Ube Roll (Pianono) | Rolled with ube filling | None (filled instead) |
FAQs
What does ube taste like?
Ube has a nutty, vanilla-like flavor with earthy undertones. The taste is distinct—milder than taro but richer than sweet potato.
Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya?
Yes, but rehydrate it first (1:5 ratio with water) to create a paste. Some recipes also use ube extract for color/flavor. (Conflict: Some sources recommend pure ube halaya for authenticity, while others approve powder/extract blends.)
Why is my ube cake not purple?
Natural ube yields a pale lavender shade. For vivid purple, add ube extract or purple food coloring (optional).
How long does ube cake last?
Store frosted cakes refrigerated for up to 3 days. Unfrosted cakes can be frozen for a month.
Related guides
- Banana Cue: Filipino Caramelized Fried Bananas
- Bibingka (Filipino Coconut Rice Cake)
- Bibingkang Malagkit (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake)
- Filipino Biko Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Sticky Rice Cake