Ube Cupcakes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ube is a unique and delicious flavor that combines the earthiness of yam with a sweet, nutty taste. These ube cupcakes are a wonderful way to experience this exotic flavor in a simple, easy-to-make dessert. They are soft and light, with a beautiful purple hue that adds to their appeal. The ube frosting enhances the cupcakes, creating a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth finish that will have everyone asking for more. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you crave a special treat, these cupcakes are sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup ube halaya (sweetened ube jam)

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon ube extract (optional)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.

5. Stir in the ube halaya and ube extract (if using), mixing until well combined.

6. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix.

7. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.

8. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

9. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12 cupcakes

• Preparation time: 15 minutes

• Baking time: 18-20 minutes

• Total time: 35-40 minutes

Variations

• Ube Buttercream Frosting: For a richer topping, try making ube buttercream frosting by combining butter, powdered sugar, ube halaya, and a little milk.

• Ube Flavored Cupcake with Coconut Frosting: Add some shredded coconut to the frosting or mix it into the batter for extra flavor and texture.

• Mini Ube Cupcakes: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized versions of this delicious treat. The baking time will be reduced to about 10-12 minutes.

Storage/Reheating

• Store leftover ube cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

• If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate the cupcakes for up to a week.

• To reheat, microwave the cupcakes for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. What is ube?

Ube is a type of purple yam that’s commonly used in Filipino desserts. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and vibrant purple color.

2. Can I use regular yam instead of ube?

While regular yam can be substituted, it won’t give you the same distinct flavor or color that ube provides.

3. Can I make the ube halaya at home?

Yes, ube halaya can be made at home by cooking mashed ube with sugar, coconut milk, and butter until it thickens. However, you can also use store-bought ube halaya for convenience.

4. Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya?

Yes, ube powder can be used, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid in the recipe to compensate for the difference in texture.

5. How can I make these cupcakes dairy-free?

To make these cupcakes dairy-free, substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use a non-dairy milk such as almond or coconut milk.

6. What if I can’t find ube extract?

If you can’t find ube extract, you can omit it, but the flavor might be less intense. Ube halaya still provides a lot of flavor.

7. Can I make the cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. Frost them when ready to serve.

8. Can I freeze these ube cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze the cupcakes without frosting. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

9. What can I pair with ube cupcakes?

Ube cupcakes pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk. For a more tropical flavor, try pairing them with fresh coconut water.

10. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour to make these cupcakes gluten-free.

Conclusion

These ube cupcakes are a sweet and flavorful treat that will delight your taste buds with their unique taste and beautiful color. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and perfect for any occasion. Try them out, and enjoy the delicious taste of ube in a fun, cupcake for