If you have a soft spot for vibrant, flavorful desserts that instantly brighten your day, then this Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is calling your name. Bursting with the enchanting purple hue of ube, or purple yam, this cake is not just a feast for the eyes but an absolute delight for the taste buds. The tender crumb paired with the luscious tang of cream cheese frosting creates an irresistible combination that’s both nostalgic and trendy. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe promises an easy and rewarding way to bring a touch of Filipino-inspired magic to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe lies in a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating its unique flavor, texture, and stunning color. From the soft all-purpose flour that builds structure to the creamy ube halaya that gives the cake its signature purple warmth, rest assured every item serves a delicious purpose.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the perfect base for a soft and fluffy cake texture.
- Baking powder (1 ½ teaspoons): Helps the cake rise evenly for a light crumb.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the cake while contributing to a tender crumb.
- Eggs (3): Bind ingredients and provide lift and structure.
- Ube halaya (1 cup): This purple yam jam imparts the gorgeous hue and authentic ube flavor.
- Milk (½ cup): Keeps the batter smooth and moist for the perfect crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the cake’s aroma and depth.
- Ube extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Boosts color intensity and ube flavor when desired.
How to Make Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pan with parchment paper to ensure the cake releases easily after baking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This step evenly distributes the rising agent and seasoning, setting the foundation for a balanced cake texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aeration step is key for a tender crumb and a cake that practically melts in your mouth.
Step 4: Incorporate Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. This careful process ensures a smooth batter and prevents curdling for a beautiful, even cake.
Step 5: Add Ube and Flavorings
Mix in the ube halaya, vanilla extract, and optional ube extract. This is where your cake starts to turn that gorgeous purple shade and develops its signature sweet-earthy aroma.
Step 6: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk
Gradually add your dry ingredient mix alternating with the milk. This technique keeps the batter silky smooth and prevents over-mixing, which could toughen the cake.
Step 7: Bake Until Perfect
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let the cake cool completely before frosting.
How to Serve Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Top your cake with a few fresh edible flowers or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes to add visual interest and a delightful contrast in texture. These little touches elevate your presentation and bring out the tropical charm of ube.
Side Dishes
Pair slices of this delicious ube cake with a hot cup of tea or coffee, or even a refreshing iced coconut latte. These beverages complement the cake’s sweetness and enhance the creamy richness of the frosting.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the cake into small, bite-sized cubes and serve as an elegant finger food for parties. You can also layer the cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit in clear glasses for a stunning parfait that showcases that gorgeous purple color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cake firmly covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the frosting fresh and the cake moist, so you can enjoy its full flavor whenever you want.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn. It can last up to 2 months frozen. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
If you prefer your cake slightly warmed, allow it to come to room temperature and then microwave a slice for 10-15 seconds. This warms the cake just enough to make it extra comforting without melting the frosting entirely.
FAQs
Can I use fresh ube instead of ube halaya?
While fresh ube can be used, ube halaya (purple yam jam) is preferred for its smooth texture and concentrated flavor, which makes it perfect for baking this cake.
Is the ube extract necessary?
Ube extract is optional. It enhances both the color and flavor, but your cake will still taste delicious with just the ube halaya alone.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use plant-based milk in place of regular milk to make a dairy-free version of this delightful cake.
How thick should I spread the cream cheese frosting?
A medium-thick layer gives the perfect balance of tangy frosting to sweet cake without overpowering either element. About ½ inch works wonderfully.
Can I double this recipe for a larger cake?
Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and use a larger cake pan or two smaller pans, adjusting the baking time accordingly and checking with a toothpick for doneness.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe enough. It strikes the perfect balance of vibrant flavor and captivating color, making it a guaranteed showstopper for any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll understand why ube has captured the hearts of dessert lovers everywhere. So go ahead and bake this beauty—you’re about to create a delightful treat that’s every bit as fun to make as it is delicious to eat.
Print
Easy Ube Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Description
This easy Ube Cake recipe is a vibrant and delicious Filipino-inspired dessert featuring the unique flavor of ube (purple yam). Soft and moist, the cake combines ube halaya with a touch of vanilla and optional ube extract for an intensified purple color and flavor. Perfectly baked and optionally topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, this dessert is a delightful treat for special occasions or whenever you’re craving something sweet and colorful.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ube extract (optional, for stronger color and flavor)
Optional Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a cake pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them.
- Add Ube and Flavorings: Mix in the ube halaya, vanilla extract, and optional ube extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly purple.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until smooth, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it and applying frosting to prevent melting.
- Prepare Frosting (Optional): For the cream cheese frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and then add the milk, beating until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.
Notes
- You can skip the ube extract if you prefer a more subtle color and flavor.
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature to ensure even mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- This cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a more intense flavor, use homemade ube halaya if available.
