Ube crinkle cookies – these vibrant purple treats are not only stunning to look at, but they also offer a unique and delicious flavor that will have everyone asking for the recipe! Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie with a delicate sweetness and a hint of coconut, all infused with the earthy, vanilla-like aroma of ube. Intrigued? You should be! This recipe will guide you step-by-step on how to make these delightful cookies, even if you’re a baking newbie. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need for Baking Ube Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients:
Before we jump into the fun part, let’s gather our ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup ube halaya (ube jam)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, for rolling
A Few Notes on the Ingredients:
- Ube Halaya: You can find this delicious ube jam at most Asian grocery stores or online. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with 1 cup of mashed cooked purple yam and add an extra 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the recipe.
- Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. This will ensure that it creams properly with the sugar, resulting in a light and fluffy cookie.
Tools:
You’ll need these handy tools to make the baking process a breeze:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Wire rack (for cooling)
Let’s Make Some Ube Crinkle Magic!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
-
Cream Together the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer for this step, or if you’re feeling strong, a whisk works too!
-
Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure each ingredient is fully incorporated before adding the next.
-
Gently Fold in the Ube Halaya: Now for the star ingredient! Gently fold in the ube halaya until it’s just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this could make your cookies tough.
-
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed, resulting in cookies that bake beautifully.
-
Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Remember, overmixing is a no-no for chewy cookies!
-
Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle.
-
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
-
Roll the Dough into Balls: Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.
-
Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar until it’s fully coated. This step creates that signature crinkled look we all love.
-
Bake to Perfection: Place the coated dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
-
Cool and Enjoy! Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Now comes the best part – enjoying your delicious homemade ube crinkle cookies!
Tips and Tricks for Ube-licious Cookies:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Storage: Store your ube crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
FAQs About Ube Crinkle Cookies:
Q: Can I use frozen ube halaya?
A: Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid before adding it to the recipe.
Q: My cookies turned out flat. What happened?
A: This could be due to a few reasons. The butter may have been too warm, the dough wasn’t chilled enough, or the oven temperature was too low. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and use a kitchen timer to ensure accurate baking time.
Ube Crinkle Cookie Dough
Baked Ube Crinkle Cookies
There you have it – your guide to creating the most irresistible ube crinkle cookies! This recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Remember to have fun in the kitchen and don’t be afraid to get creative. Happy baking!
What are your favorite Filipino desserts? Share your thoughts and baking experiences in the comments below! Don’t forget to check out our other delicious recipes on Family Cuisine, like this traditional Filipino Halo-Halo recipe: [link to https://familycuisine.net/how-to-make-filipino-halo-halo/].
