Ube cake, a vibrant purple dessert, has become increasingly popular worldwide, captivating taste buds with its unique flavor and stunning appearance. This Filipino delicacy boasts a naturally sweet and subtly nutty taste, often described as a delightful blend of vanilla and pistachio. If you’re looking for an exotic and delicious dessert to impress your family and friends, look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own moist and flavorful ube cake right in your kitchen.
Unlocking the Secrets of Ube
The key ingredient, ube (pronounced oo-beh), is a purple yam widely used in Filipino cuisine. While fresh ube might be hard to find outside of the Philippines, you can easily find ube extract or ube halaya (ube jam) at Asian grocery stores or online. “Using ube halaya results in a richer ube flavor,” shares Chef Anna Santos, a renowned Filipino pastry chef known for her innovative ube desserts.
Ready to embark on this culinary adventure? Let’s gather our ingredients and tools!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Ube Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (ube jam)
- 1-2 tablespoons ube extract (optional, for a deeper purple color)
For the Ube Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup ube halaya (ube jam)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (to adjust consistency)
Tools of the Trade
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Electric mixer
- Spatulas (rubber and offset)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
Ube Cake Batter
Step-by-Step Guide to Ube Cake Perfection
1. Preparing the Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Combining Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
4. Incorporating Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
5. Alternating Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, and beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Adding the Ube Flavor: Gently fold in the ube halaya and ube extract (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Baking the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cooling the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting Ube Cake
9. Making the Ube Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
10. Incorporating Ube and Vanilla: Beat in the ube halaya and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
11. Frosting the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the bottom layer with a generous amount of ube buttercream. Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
Tips for Ube Cake Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For best results, ensure all ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature before using.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Cooling Cakes Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- Adjusting Frosting Sweetness: You can adjust the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting to suit your taste.
- Getting Vibrant Color: Adding a drop or two of purple food coloring to your frosting can enhance its vibrancy.
FAQs About Ube Cake
Q: Can I use ube extract instead of ube halaya?
A: While ube extract can add a concentrated ube flavor, using ube halaya will provide a richer taste and smoother texture to your cake.
Q: Can I freeze ube cake?
A: Yes, you can freeze unfrosted ube cake layers for up to 2 months. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
Q: What other frostings can I use for ube cake?
A: While ube buttercream is the classic pairing, you can explore other frostings like cream cheese frosting or even a simple whipped cream topping.
Decorated Ube Cake
Indulge in the Ube Goodness
Baking an ube cake is an adventure that allows you to experience the unique flavors of the Philippines. With its vibrant color and delightful taste, it’s sure to be a showstopper at your next gathering. So why not surprise your loved ones with this extraordinary treat? They’ll be talking about your ube cake for days to come!
Looking for other delightful desserts to try? Check out our recipes for Kouign Amann, a buttery and caramelized French pastry, or the classic American Buttermilk Pie.
Don’t forget to share pictures of your ube cake creations and let us know your feedback in the comments below!
