Ube Cake Recipe: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Authentic Filipino Ube Cake

An authentic Ube Cake Recipe represents far more than a colorful dessert; it reflects the heart of Filipino cuisine, where traditional ingredients, vibrant presentation, and comforting flavors come together in perfect balance. Ube cake is made from ube, a purple yam native to the Philippines, known for its naturally sweet, nutty, and subtly vanilla-like flavor profile.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make ube cake from scratch, understand ingredient choices, master baking techniques, explore variations, and confidently troubleshoot common issues, all while keeping the process approachable and beginner-friendly.

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Ube Cake Recipe Overview: Flavor, Texture, and Baking Style Explained

A well-balanced Ube Cake Recipe focuses on harmony, nothing should overpower the delicate ube flavor. Unlike dense butter cakes, most traditional ube cakes use a chiffon or sponge-style base, which allows the purple yam taste to remain light, aromatic, and elegant.

A classic ube cake recipe is characterized by:

• A light, airy crumb that melts in your mouth

• A moist interior that stays soft for days

• A naturally sweet, nutty flavor without heaviness

• A soft purple hue that signals real ube content

Because of its structure, ube cake pairs especially well with whipped cream, cream cheese frosting, or ube buttercream, making it ideal for layered celebration cakes.

Choose sustainable cake boxes that protect soft ube cakes while reducing plastic waste.

Ube Cake Recipe Ingredients: Complete Breakdown for Best Results

Dry Ingredients for Ube Cake Recipe

Dry ingredients provide structure and balance, ensuring the cake rises properly while remaining tender:

• Cake flour or all-purpose flour for structure

• Baking powder to help the cake rise evenly

• Salt to enhance the ube flavor

• Cornstarch (optional) to improve softness and crumb texture

Using cake flour results in a finer, softer cake, but all-purpose flour works well when measured accurately.

Wet Ingredients for Ube Cake Recipe

Wet ingredients are the heart of flavor, moisture, and color in any ube cake recipe:

• Ube halaya (purple yam jam) for authentic flavor

• Ube extract to enhance aroma and deepen color

• Granulated sugar for sweetness

• Egg yolks for richness

• Egg whites for structure and lift

• Vegetable oil or coconut oil for moisture

• Milk or coconut milk for softness

• Vanilla extract to round out flavors

Pro Tip: The best ube cake recipe uses both ube halaya and ube extract—halaya delivers flavor and texture, while extract enhances aroma and visual appeal.

Optional Ingredients to Customize Your Ube Cake Recipe

• Purple gel food coloring for a more vibrant hue

• Coconut cream for added richness

• Macapuno strings for texture and traditional flair

Understanding Ube: Choosing the Right Form for Your Ube Cake Recipe

Fresh Ube (Purple Yam)

Fresh ube offers the most authentic flavor, but it requires peeling, boiling, and mashing before use. While ideal for purists, it can be difficult to source and time-consuming to prepare.

Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)

Ube halaya is the most practical and commonly used option in modern ube cake recipes. It delivers consistent flavor, smooth texture, and excellent moisture retention.

Ube Extract

Ube extract should never replace real ube entirely. Instead, it acts as a supporting ingredient that boosts aroma and color while complementing the natural yam flavor.

Essential Tools for Baking a Successful Ube Cake Recipe

Before starting, prepare these baking tools to ensure smooth execution:

• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer

• Large and medium mixing bowls

• Fine mesh sifter

• Silicone spatula

• Measuring cups and spoons

• 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans

• Cooling rack

Having everything ready helps maintain batter consistency and prevents overmixing.

Step-by-Step Ube Cake Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Sift Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. This step ensures even distribution and prevents clumps that can weigh down the cake.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients Thoroughly

In a large bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, oil, milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and vanilla. Mix until smooth, glossy, and evenly colored.

This mixture forms the flavor foundation of your ube cake recipe.

Step 3: Whip the Egg Whites for Structure

Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar. Continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks develop.

Properly whipped egg whites are critical for achieving the signature light texture of chiffon-style ube cake.

Step 4: Combine Batter with Gentle Folding

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then carefully fold in the whipped egg whites in batches. Use a gentle, sweeping motion to preserve air.

Avoid overmixing, as it can deflate the batter and lead to a dense cake.

Step 5: Bake the Ube Cake to Perfection

• Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C)

• Pour batter evenly into prepared pans

• Bake for 45–55 minutes

• Check doneness with a toothpick

Allow the cake to cool fully before removing from the pan.

Ube Cake Recipe Frosting Options Explained

Ube Whipped Cream Frosting

Light, airy, and refreshing, this frosting complements the softness of ube cake without overpowering it.

Ube Buttercream Frosting

Ube buttercream offers richer flavor and stability, making it ideal for layered cakes and decorative piping.

Cream Cheese Frosting for Ube Cake

Cream cheese frosting provides a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of ube, creating a more complex flavor profile.

How to Assemble and Decorate Your Ube Cake Recipe

• Level cake layers for even stacking

• Spread frosting generously between layers

• Apply a thin crumb coat

• Chill briefly before final frosting

• Decorate with piping, coconut flakes, or macapuno

Popular Ube Cake Recipe Variations to Try

Ube Macapuno Cake Recipe

A traditional favorite combining purple yam with sweet coconut strings for added texture and aroma.

Ube Chiffon Cake Recipe

Extra light and fluffy, perfect for celebrations and warm climates.

Ube Roll Cake Recipe

A soft sponge rolled with ube cream filling, ideal for slicing and gifting.

Ube Cupcake Recipe

Portion-controlled, bakery-friendly, and perfect for events or packaging.

Vegan Ube Cake Recipe

Uses plant-based milk, oil, and egg alternatives while maintaining flavor and moisture.

Expert Tips for Perfecting Any Ube Cake Recipe

• Always use room-temperature eggs

• Measure ingredients accurately

• Fold gently to maintain air

• Avoid overbaking

• Let cake cool completely before frosting

Common Ube Cake Recipe Problems and Solutions

How to Store Ube Cake Properly

At Room Temperature

Up to 24 hours if unfrosted and well covered.

In the Refrigerator

3–5 days in an airtight container.

In the Freezer

Up to 3 months (best unfrosted).

Ube Cake Recipe FAQs (People Also Ask)

What is ube used in ube cake?

Ube is a purple yam that gives the cake its unique flavor and color.

Can I make ube cake without ube extract?

Yes, but the aroma and color will be milder.

Why is my ube cake not purple?

Natural ube varies in color; extract enhances vibrancy.

Is ube cake overly sweet?

No, a proper ube cake recipe is mildly sweet and balanced.

Can ube cake be prepared in advance?

Yes, it stores well when refrigerated or frozen.

Conclusion

This comprehensive Ube Cake Recipe combines traditional Filipino baking wisdom with modern techniques to produce a cake that is consistently soft, moist, visually appealing, and deeply flavorful. By using real ube, proper folding techniques, and balanced frosting choices, you can confidently bake an ube cake that rivals professional bakery results.

Whether you’re baking at home, creating food content, or developing dessert offerings, this ube cake recipe serves as a reliable foundation you can adapt and refine over time.