Ube Cake Repice (Filipino Purple Yam Cake w/ Macapuno)

Ube cake is a quintessential Filipino dessert distinguished by its striking purple color and rich, nutty ube flavor. This unique cake brings together the soft and fluffy texture of traditional cake with the velvety smoothness of coconut macapuno filling. Each component complements the other to create a delightful harmony of tastes and textures. This colorful confection has become a staple at celebrations across the Philippines, where it evokes nostalgia and brings joy to every occasion. With its vivid purple hue and decadent flavor, ube cake offers an extraordinary dessert experience that showcases the creativity and passion of Filipino baking.

Introduction about Ube cake

Ube cake is a uniquely Filipino dessert distinguished by its vivid purple color and rich, nutty ube flavor. The soft, dense ube cake is complemented by luscious macapuno coconut filling, creating a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. This colorful confection is a staple at Filipino celebrations and gatherings.

The use of ube (purple yam) as a key ingredient separates ube cake from other cakes. Ube has a distinct purple hue and subtly sweet, earthy flavor that gives each bite of ube cake a wonderfully nutty richness. When combined with the velvety texture of macapuno coconut strings, the result is a dessert experience like no other.

Ube cake is absolutely a beloved and popular treat across the Philippines. It is frequently served during holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other special events. Many Filipinos have fond childhood memories of enjoying ube cake with friends and family.

Ingredients

To make authentic ube cake, you’ll need the following key ingredients:

• Ube halaya – Mashed purple yam paste sweetened with sugar. Provides color and distinctive ube flavor.
• Ube powder – Dried, powdered ube root used for color and flavor. Alternative to ube halaya.
• Macapuno – Sweetened coconut sport with jelly-like flesh. Provides creamy texture.
• Flour – All-purpose flour acts as the base for the cake batter.
• Eggs – Whole eggs add structure, richness, and moisture.
• Butter – Butter or margarine gives the cake a soft crumb.
• Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens the cake and ube halaya.
• Evaporated milk – Adds moisture, richness, and sweetness.
• Vanilla – Vanilla extract enhances the flavors.

Ube halaya is mashed roasted purple yam cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. It can be made or purchased pre-made. If you can’t find macapuno, young coconut strips or coconut jam are good alternatives.

Equipment

Making ube cake requires just a few basic kitchen tools:

• Electric mixer – To thoroughly combine cake batter. A hand mixer works too.
• Mixing bowls – For cake batter, ube halaya, and macapuno filling.
• Spatula – For folding batter and scraping bowls.
• Loaf pans – Aluminum pans to bake the cake in.
• Wire racks – For cooling baked cakes.

If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can use a wooden spoon or whisk to mix the batter by hand. Any oven-safe baking pan can substitute for loaf pans.

Instructions

Follow these steps to assemble classic ube cake:

Make Cake Batter

1. Cream together butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. Stir in ube halaya until well blended.
4. Add flour alternately with evaporated milk. Mix just until combined.
5. Fold in vanilla extract. Don’t overmix.

Prepare Macapuno Filling

1. Drain macapuno strings from syrup, reserving liquid.
2. Toss macapuno with a bit of reserved liquid, adding just enough to coat. The filling should be thick, not runny.

Assemble Cake

1. Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans.
2. Spoon macapuno filling down the center of each pan lengthwise.
3. Use a knife to swirl filling through the batter.
4. Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool completely before slicing.

Be careful not to overmix the batter when adding the ube halaya so the cake stays light and fluffy. Test for doneness early to prevent overbaking.

Decorating & Serving

Ube cake is festive enough on its own, but you can decorate it for extra flair. Some fun ideas:

• Dust with powdered sugar for simple elegance.
• Top with fresh fruit like mangoes or strawberries.
• Drizzle with ube icing made with ube powder and cream cheese.
• Garnish with edible flowers like pansies or roses.
• Add crushed pineapple for tang and texture.

Ube cake is delicious on its own, but equally wonderful when paired with:

• Ice cream – Vanilla is a classic complement.
• Leche flan – Rich Filipino custard.
• Fruit salad – Tropical flavors like mango, banana, and melon.
• Purple yam latte – For an ube-themed breakfast or dessert.

This vibrant cake is perfect for festive gatherings any time of year. It’s especially popular during the Christmas season and for milestone birthdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cake without macapuno?

Yes, you can omit the macapuno for a simpler ube cake. The texture will be more uniform without the coconut filling.

What exactly is ube halaya?

Ube halaya is mashed purple yam cooked down with milk, sugar, and spices like vanilla, cinnamon, or pandan leaf. It provides the signature ube flavor and vivid purple color.

How can I make the ube flavor more intense in the cake?

Using both ube halaya and ube powder will intensify the flavor. You can also use more ube halaya in the recipe. Steeping the milk used in the cake with ube powder boosts ube taste too.

What are the main differences between ube cake and purple yam cake?

Ube cake uses grated raw ube while purple yam cake uses ube halaya. Ube cake also includes coconut filling while plain purple yam cake does not.

Conclusion

With its eye-catching purple color and decadent taste, ube cake is a singular Filipino dessert loved for its uniqueness. Each component – the nutty ube, velvety macapuno, and soft moist crumb – complements the others to create a truly extraordinary cake. This classic celebratory confection brings delight to any gathering while paying homage to the creativity of Filipino baking. Master this recipe to impress your friends and family at your next special occasion.