Recipes with Ube: How to Make 3 Amazing Dishes

Have you ever seen a bright purple dessert that looks too beautiful to eat? Did you wonder what gives it that magical color and unique taste? The secret is ube, a purple yam that’s taking the food world by storm! Today, I’ll show you how to make 3 amazing Recipes with Ube that will wow your friends and family.

If you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons, trying out different Recipes with Ube is a fantastic way to start. Not only do Recipes with Ube offer a burst of color and flavor to your table, but they also introduce you to a beloved ingredient from Filipino cuisine that’s gaining popularity worldwide.

Overview

Recipes with Ube are special because they combine amazing flavor with eye-catching color. Ube has a mild, sweet taste similar to vanilla with hints of pistachio. These recipes are perfect for beginners and take between 30-60 minutes to prepare. The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or chef skills to make them!

Each recipe uses ube in a different way:

• Ube Pancakes – A quick breakfast treat (30 minutes)
• Ube Cheesecake Bars – A no-bake dessert (45 minutes plus chilling)
• Ube Ice Cream – A refreshing frozen treat (60 minutes plus freezing)

Essential Ingredients

For all Recipes with Ube, you’ll need:

Ube (Purple Yam)

• What it is: The star ingredient! A purple root vegetable
• Why it’s important: Gives the purple color and unique flavor
• Where to find it: Asian grocery stores (fresh, frozen, powder, or as ube halaya/jam)
• Substitutions: Purple sweet potato or taro (though the flavor will be different)

Ube Extract

• What it is: Concentrated ube flavoring
• Why it’s important: Boosts the ube flavor and enhances the purple color
• Where to find it: Asian markets, specialty baking stores, or online
• Substitutions: Vanilla extract (you’ll lose some color and ube flavor)

Coconut Milk

• What it is: The liquid from coconut meat
• Why it’s important: Adds creaminess and complements ube’s flavor
• Substitutions: Regular milk, almond milk, or oat milk

Sweeteners

• What to use: Sugar, condensed milk, or honey
• Why it’s important: Balances and enhances the ube flavor
• Substitutions: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or monk fruit sweetener for healthier options

Recipe 1: Ube Pancakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients:
   • 1 cup all-purpose flour
   • 2 tablespoons sugar
   • 1 teaspoon baking powder
   • 1/2 teaspoon salt
   • 3/4 cup milk
   • 1 egg
   • 2 tablespoons melted butter
   • 1/4 cup ube halaya (ube jam)
   • 1/2 teaspoon ube extract
2. Mix dry ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Mix wet ingredients:
   • In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, ube halaya, and ube extract until smooth.
4. Combine mixtures:
   • Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
   • Stir until just combined. Don’t overmix! Small lumps are okay.
5. Cook the pancakes:
   • Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat.
   • Add a small amount of butter or oil.
   • Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.
   • Cook until bubbles form on top (about 2-3 minutes).
   • Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until golden.

Assembly

• Stack pancakes on a plate.
• Top with coconut whipped cream.
• Drizzle with maple syrup or honey.
• Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes.

Presentation tip: Add a small dollop of ube halaya on top for extra color and flavor!

Recipe 2: No-Bake Ube Cheesecake Bars

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients:
   • For the crust:
     • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
     • 1/2 cup melted butter
     • 3 tablespoons sugar
   • For the filling:
     • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
     • 1/2 cup sugar
     • 1 cup ube halaya
     • 1 teaspoon ube extract
     • 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
2. Make the crust:
   • Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl.
   • Press firmly into the bottom of a 9×9 inch pan.
   • Chill in the refrigerator while making the filling.
3. Make the filling:
   • Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
   • Add ube halaya and ube extract, mix well.
   • Fold in whipped cream gently.
4. Assemble:
   • Pour filling over the chilled crust.
   • Smooth the top with a spatula.
   • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Serve:
   • Cut into bars when fully set.

Assembly

• Cut into 16 squares.
• Top each square with whipped cream.
• Add a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers.
• Garnish with a small mint leaf for color contrast.

Presentation tip: Drizzle some melted white chocolate in a zigzag pattern for an elegant touch!

Recipe 3: Ube Ice Cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients:
   • 2 cups heavy cream
   • 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
   • 1/2 cup ube halaya
   • 1 teaspoon ube extract
   • 1/4 teaspoon salt
2. Prepare the base:
   • In a large bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
   • In another bowl, mix condensed milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and salt until smooth.
3. Combine mixtures:
   • Gently fold the ube mixture into the whipped cream.
   • Be careful not to deflate the cream too much.
4. Freeze:
   • Pour into a freezer-safe container.
   • Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface.
   • Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Assembly

• Scoop into bowls or cones.
• Top with crushed pistachios for crunch.
• Add a wafer cookie or butter cookie on the side.

Presentation tip: Serve in clear glass bowls to showcase the beautiful purple color!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Ube Pancakes:

• Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or in a toaster.
• Freeze pancakes with parchment paper between each one in a freezer bag for up to 1 month.
• Reheat frozen pancakes in the toaster or microwave.

Ube Cheesecake Bars:

• Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• For longer storage, freeze for up to 1 month.
• Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Ube Ice Cream:

• Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
• Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping if it’s too hard.
• Cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals.

Recipe Variations

Ube Pancakes Variations:

• Add 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
• Mix in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut for texture.
• Make ube pancake cereal by cooking tiny pancakes and serving in a bowl with milk.

Ube Cheesecake Variations:

• Add a layer of white chocolate ganache on top.
• Mix in 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple (drained well) for a tropical twist.
• Use chocolate cookie crumbs instead of graham crackers for the crust.

Ube Ice Cream Variations:

• Swirl in dulce de leche before freezing.
• Add 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/4 cup of toasted coconut.
• Mix in 1/3 cup of crushed Oreo cookies for an ube cookies and cream version.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make 3 amazing Recipes with Ube that are sure to impress! From breakfast to dessert, ube adds a unique flavor and stunning color to any dish. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these recipes and make them your own. The beautiful purple color will brighten your day, and the delicious taste will keep you coming back for more. Happy cooking!

FAQs

Q: What exactly is ube, and what does it taste like?

A: Ube is a purple yam from the Philippines. It has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor similar to vanilla with hints of pistachio. It’s not the same as purple sweet potato or taro.

Q: Where can I buy ube or ube products?

A: You can find fresh ube, frozen grated ube, ube powder, ube extract, and ube halaya (jam) at Asian grocery stores, especially Filipino markets. Many online retailers also sell ube products.

Q: Is ube healthy?

A: Yes! Ube contains vitamins A and C, potassium, and antioxidants. However, many Recipes with Ube add sugar and fat, so enjoy them in moderation.

Q: Can I make these recipes without ube extract?

A: Yes, but your desserts might have a lighter purple color and milder ube flavor. You can substitute vanilla extract and add a bit more ube halaya.

Q: Are Recipes with Ube gluten-free?

A: Not automatically. For the pancakes, substitute gluten-free flour. The cheesecake can be made gluten-free with gluten-free graham crackers. The ice cream recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Q: Can I use purple food coloring instead of ube?

A: Food coloring will give the purple color but not the flavor. It’s better to use real ube or ube extract for authentic taste.

Q: How can I make these recipes vegan?

A: For vegan versions, use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and vegan cream cheese. For the ice cream, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and condensed coconut milk.

Q: Can I make ube halaya (jam) at home?

A: Yes! Cook grated ube with coconut milk, condensed milk, and butter until thick. It takes about 45 minutes of stirring but is worth the effort for authentic flavor.