Ube cookies have become my absolute obsession, and I can’t wait to share my favorite recipe with you! The first time I tasted one, it was at a friend’s Filipino potluck, and I was instantly captivated by its vibrant purple hue and unique, subtly sweet flavor. It wasn’t just a cookie; it was an experience – a delightful blend of earthy purple yam and sweet vanilla. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to create the perfect chewy and soft ube cookie, and I think I’ve finally cracked it. This homemade ube cookie recipe is surprisingly simple and yields the most wonderfully chewy treats. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Ube Cookies
Get ready to fall in love with these vibrant purple treats! They’re more than just a cookie; they’re a little bite of happiness.
- Incredibly Chewy Texture: These cookies boast a perfectly chewy center with slightly crisp edges, exactly how a great cookie should be.
- Vibrant Purple Color: Naturally colored by ube, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious, making them a showstopper.
- Unique Flavor Profile: The distinct, subtly sweet, and earthy notes of ube are a delightful change from traditional flavors.
- Easy to Make: This ube cookies recipe is straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Customizable with Mix-ins: Whether you love white chocolate, dark chocolate, or nuts, you can tailor these cookies to your liking.
- Visually Stunning: Their gorgeous purple hue makes them ideal for parties, holidays, or just brightening up your day.
- A Taste of the Philippines: Experience authentic Filipino flavors with these delightful homemade ube cookies.
Ingredients for the Best Ube Cookies Recipe
Gathering the right ingredients is key to achieving that perfect texture and vibrant color. This ube cookies recipe uses a combination of classic baking staples and the star ingredient – ube halaya!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – the base for our cookie structure
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – helps the cookies rise and become tender
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda – aids in browning and spread
- 0.5 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness and enhances flavor
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, room temperature – essential for creamy texture and richness
- 0.75 cups light brown sugar – adds moisture and a caramel note
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar – contributes to crisp edges and sweetness
- 1 cup ube halaya – this is the heart of our purple yam cookies, providing that signature flavor and color
- 1 teaspoon ube extract – boosts the ube flavor for an even more intense, delicious experience
- 1 large egg, room temperature – binds everything together and adds richness
- 1 cup white chocolate chips – for delightful pockets of creamy sweetness
- Optional: 1 cup dark chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), 1 cup shredded coconut – customize your homemade ube cookies with your favorite additions!
How to Make Ube Cookies
Making these vibrant purple delights is a fun and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps for the best ube cookies!
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. This is crucial for getting that perfect bake on your ube cookies.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon baking soda, and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream together the 0.5 cups unsalted butter (make sure it’s softened to room temperature) with the 0.75 cups light brown sugar and 0.5 cups granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy; you’ll notice it becomes pale and airy.
- Step 4: Mix in the 1 cup ube halaya and 1 teaspoon ube extract until everything is thoroughly combined and you have a beautifully colored, smooth mixture.
- Step 5: Add the 1 large egg (also at room temperature) to the wet ingredients and mix until it’s fully incorporated into the ube mixture.
- Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients from Step 2 into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Step 7: Gently fold in the 1 cup white chocolate chips. If you’re making variations, this is also when you’d add any optional mix-ins like dark chocolate chips, nuts, or shredded coconut to your ube cookie recipe.
- Step 8: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough is a key step for these homemade ube cookies; it helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavors.
- Step 9: Once chilled, scoop the dough using a cookie scoop or two spoons, forming balls about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Step 10: Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be lightly golden brown, while the centers still look slightly soft and underbaked. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Step 11: Let the ube cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up enough to be moved. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious, chewy ube cookies!
Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Ube Cookies
I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure these vibrant cookies turn out perfectly every time. These tips will elevate your ube cookies from good to absolutely unforgettable.
- Always use good quality ube halaya. It’s the heart of the flavor and color, so don’t skimp!
- Chill the dough thoroughly. This step is non-negotiable for preventing flat, spread-out cookies and ensuring a chewy texture.
- Don’t overbake! Pull them out when the edges are just set and the centers look a little soft. They’ll continue to cook on the hot baking sheet.
- For an even richer flavor, consider adding a touch more ube extract if you have it, but be careful not to overpower the cookie.
What’s the secret to perfect Ube Cookies?
The real secret to perfect ube cookies lies in two things: chilling the dough sufficiently and using high-quality ube halaya. Chilling prevents excessive spreading, and good halaya ensures that signature flavor and color. For more baking tips, check out these general baking tips.
Can I make Ube Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. For longer storage, scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Learn more about proper food storage.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Ube Cookies?
The most common mistake is overmixing the dough, which leads to tough cookies. Another pitfall is overbaking; watch for those golden edges and soft centers. Lastly, don’t skip chilling the dough, or they’ll spread too much.
Best Ways to Serve Filipino Ube Cookies
These beautiful purple cookies are a delight on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of treats. Serving them is almost as fun as making them!
- With a Glass of Milk: It’s a classic for a reason! A cold glass of milk, dairy or non-dairy, perfectly complements the sweet, slightly earthy flavor of these ube cookies.
- Alongside Coffee or Tea: These cookies make a fantastic accompaniment to your morning coffee or afternoon tea. The warmth of the beverage enhances the subtle vanilla and ube notes.
- As Part of a Dessert Platter: Arrange your ube cookies alongside other Filipino desserts like leche flan or halo-halo for a truly authentic spread. They add both color and unique flavor to any dessert table.
Nutrition Facts for Ube Cookies
These delightful purple treats are a wonderful indulgence. Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional information per cookie, based on the recipe yielding 24 servings.
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 14 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used in your ube cookies recipe.
How to Store and Reheat Ube Cookies
Once your delicious ube cookies have cooled completely, proper storage is key to keeping them at their best. I’ve found that airtight containers are your best friend here, regardless of whether you’re storing them at room temperature or in the freezer.
For short-term storage, simply place the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully chewy for about 3 to 4 days. If you want them to last a bit longer, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to a week, though they might lose a bit of their chewiness. For more on preserving baked goods, see tips for keeping baked goods fresh.
Planning to make a big batch or want to keep these homemade ube cookies on hand for longer? Freeze them! After they’ve cooled, scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place frozen dough balls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Baked cookies can also be frozen and reheated in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ube Cookies
What are ube cookies and what do they taste like?
Ube cookies are a delightful dessert made with ube, a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines. They have a unique flavor that’s subtly sweet, slightly nutty, and captures the essence of vanilla with a hint of earthy depth. The beautiful purple color comes naturally from the ube itself, making them visually stunning.
Can I use ube extract instead of ube halaya for my ube cookies recipe?
While ube extract can boost the flavor, it doesn’t provide the same color or texture as ube halaya. For the best results in your ube cookies recipe, I highly recommend using ube halaya (sweetened purple yam jam), which is readily available at Asian markets or specialty stores. If you must substitute, use extract sparingly and consider adding a drop of purple food coloring for that signature hue. You can learn more about common baking substitutions.
How do I get my homemade ube cookies to be chewy?
To achieve that perfect chewy texture in your homemade ube cookies, several factors are key. First, ensure you’re using enough brown sugar, as its molasses content adds moisture and chewiness. Don’t overbake them; pull them out when the centers still look slightly soft. Finally, chilling the dough before baking is essential, as it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin and becoming crisp.
Are Filipino ube cookies always purple?
Typically, yes! The vibrant purple color is one of the most distinctive and appealing characteristics of Filipino ube cookies. This beautiful hue comes directly from the ube halaya used in the dough. While some variations might exist, the classic and most recognizable versions are always a stunning shade of purple.
Variations of Ube Cookies You Can Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic chewy ube cookie, you might want to explore some fun variations. These ideas offer different textures, flavors, and dietary options, so there’s a perfect ube cookie for everyone!
- Gluten-Free Ube Cookies: For those with gluten sensitivities, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. The result is a delicious purple yam cookie that’s safe for everyone to enjoy.
- Ube Crinkle Cookies: Roll chilled dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. As they bake and spread, the sugar coating cracks, creating beautiful, snowy patterns on these festive treats. This variation adds a lovely visual appeal to your homemade ube cookies.
- Ube Shortbread Cookies: For a melt-in-your-mouth experience, try an ube shortbread recipe. These cookies are less chewy and more delicate, focusing on a rich, buttery flavor enhanced by the ube. They’re perfect with a cup of tea.
- Ube Sugar Cookies: If you prefer a slightly firmer cookie with a crispier edge but still want that ube flavor, an ube sugar cookie recipe might be for you. They offer a delightful chewiness in the center with a satisfying crunch.
Ube Cookies: Incredible 2-Hour Chewy Delight
- Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Chips are a vibrant and flavorful twist on a classic cookie, blending Filipino ube halaya with sweet white chocolate for a delightful treat. These cookies are soft, chewy, and can be adapted for gluten-free diets, making them a perfect crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 0.75 cups light brown sugar
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup ube halaya
- 1 teaspoon ube extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- Optional: 1 cup dark chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the ube halaya and ube extract until well combined.
- Add the egg and mix until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and any other desired mix-ins.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and centers are slightly underbaked.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For gluten-free ube cookies, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.
- Ube halaya can be found at specialty or Asian markets.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours, or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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