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
Scale
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.
