13 Best Recipes With Ube Extract: Ube Overload! (2024)

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Here are some of the best ube extract recipes around the web, along with some valuable tips on where to get it and how to use it in your recipes.

The culinary world is constantly changing, often introducing new and exciting flavors to people everywhere. One such standout ingredient is ube, a bright purple yam from the Philippines. While it’s been a Filipino favorite for years, recently it’s gained international fame, particularly in its extract form.

This vibrant extract is now a sought-after ingredient in many kitchens, valued for its color and unique taste. Its growing popularity represents a wider embrace of global flavors, as ube extract finds its way into various recipes, symbolizing a merging of culinary traditions from around the world.

To unlock recipes with ube extract, we’ve compiled this list of the best options to explore and savor.

13 Best Recipes With Ube Extract: Ube Overload! (1)

Table of Contents

Where To Find Ube Extract?

Ube, a purple yam from the Philippines, is popular in the U.S. for its unique color and taste, often used in desserts. If you’re in the U.S. and want ube extract, here are some options:

Asian grocery stores. Check local Asian markets for ube extract. Brands like “McCormick” and “Butterfly” are commonly found.
Online retailers. Shop on websites like Amazon or Walmart for various ube extract brands. Ensure you check reviews before purchasing.
Filipino stores. Visit stores specializing in Filipino products.
Local bakeries/restaurants. Some restaurants might be willing to sell you a small quantity from their own supply if they don’t have it retail – it doesn’t hurt to ask!

13 Best Recipes With Ube Extract: Ube Overload! (2)

1. Ube Brownies

These brownies call for all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, light brown sugar, egg, and ube extract or flavoring. They are moist and fudgy, with mildly sweet and nutty flavor.

2. Ube Mochi

This Ube mochi is made with glutinous rice and ube extract, giving it a purple hue and deep flavor. It’s simple to prepare and ideal for sharing with loved ones.

3. Ube Latte (Iced Purple Yam Coffee)

This Ube Latte is ideal for a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat. The recipe involves mixing ube extract with ice and almond milk, then topping it with strong espresso.

4. Ube Cake

This Ube Cake recipe has a rich, nutty flavor and a soft, moist texture. We suggest using ube extract or ube powder as fresh ube is rare in the US.

5. Ube Ice Cream

This recipe makes ube ice cream using just store-bought vanilla or coconut ice cream and ube extract or halaya. It also includes extra toppings and variations for added flair.

6. Ube Spread (Purple Yam Spread)

Ube spread is a sweet Filipino dessert made from purple yam (ube), traditionally with coconut milk and sugar. This vegan version uses almond milk and maple syrup.

7. Ube Sugar Cookies

Made with plant-based ingredients, these cookies are sweet, soft, and have a nutty ube flavor. Top them with ube frosting and a sprinkle of purple dust for a signature Filipino dessert.

8. Ube Pound Cake

Ube Pound Cake is a delicious dessert that’s a remix of a classic pound cake with a purple yam flavor. The cake has a slightly earthy and extra-sweet flavor with a vibrant purple hue.

9. Ube Butter

Ube butter is a tasty and adaptable spread made from purple yam, butter, and honey. It’s great on toast, muffins, and cakes and is often used in Filipino desserts.

10. Ube Cheesecake

This rich and flavorful dessert mixes traditional cheesecake with ube’s unique flavor. It has a coconut graham cracker base and uses ube halaya and extract.

11. Ube Bubble Tea

Ube Bubble Tea is a Filipino twist on the traditional Taiwanese drink. The refreshing beverage combines the sweet and colorful purple yam milk with the mellow white tea.

12. Ube Churros

Ube churros are a Filipino take on the Spanish dessert. They’re made by adding ube powder to choux pastry dough, frying it, and then coating it in an ube sugar mix.

13. Ube Pandesal (Filipino Purple Yam Bread Rolls)

This Filipino breakfast features ube, a nutty, vanilla-flavored purple yam, in dairy-free and egg-free pandesal. It can be eaten alone or with sweet or savory fillings.

Do’s & Don’ts of Ube Extract Culinary Use

Here are some do’s and don’ts when using ube extract in recipes:

Do’s:

Use sparingly. Ube extract is potent; start with a bit and adjust.
Proper storage. Keep in a cool, dark place.
Versatile use. Great for cakes, ice creams, and beverages.
Pair wisely. Complements coconut, pandan, and vanilla.
Tweak for color. Adjust for the purple hue you want.

Don’ts:

Not taro. Ube and taro are distinct; don’t interchange.
Not just a dye. It adds color but may need food coloring for vibrancy.
Avoid overcooking. Preserve flavor and hue.
Mind texture. Extract lacks the yam’s texture; adjust recipes.
Explore ube forms. Extract isn’t the only option.

The bottom line

Recipes with ube extract have opened up new culinary possibilities. The purple color and unique flavor of ube have made both traditional and modern recipes better. Whether it’s classic recipes like ube spread or creative ones like ube cookies and ube cheesecake, this simple purple yam has become a versatile and cherished ingredient in cooking.

More About Ube

What Is Ube?