Ube Coffee Cake Recipe [FULL GUIDE]

If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting ube, let me paint you a picture. Ube is a type of purple yam that’s wildly popular in Filipino cuisine. It’s not taro (though they often get confused)-ube has a deeper sweetness, almost like vanilla crossed with coconut, with an earthy undertone that’s both exotic and comforting. Now imagine that flavor tucked inside a tender, buttery coffee cake, topped with a sweet crumble and maybe even a little glaze drizzle.

Ube Coffee Cake is like a love letter to the senses:

• Visually STUNNING with that gorgeous natural purple color.
• Rich and moist with just the right amount of crumb.
• A perfect blend of traditional and modern-Filipino roots meet American brunch table.

Whether you’re baking for a party, impressing your coworkers, or just treating yourself (because YES you deserve it), this cake is guaranteed to become a go-to.

Ube Coffee Cake Recipe: The Overview

This recipe has three major parts, all working together in harmony:

1. The Cake Layer: Soft, fluffy, and deeply purple, flavored with ube halaya and ube extract.
2. The Streusel Crumb Topping: Buttery, sweet, and slightly crisp-just like the ones on your favorite bakery coffee cake.
3. Optional Glaze: A little sweet drizzle to finish it off.

We’re going full-on bakery-style but with an easy approach that won’t require any fancy equipment or obscure techniques. Let’s dive into what you’ll need.

Ingredients Needed: Everything You’ll Use (and Why)

Here’s a complete breakdown of the ingredients for the cake, the topping, and the optional glaze.

For The Ube Cake

• All-purpose flour – Provides the structure. We want a tender crumb, not something dense and dry.
• Baking powder & baking soda – These leavening agents work together to make the cake rise and stay light.
• Salt – A pinch brings all the flavors into harmony.
• Butter (unsalted) – For richness and that classic coffee cake taste.
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake and helps with moisture.
• Eggs – Essential for binding and adding fluffiness.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt – Adds tang and incredible moisture.
• Ube halaya (purple yam jam) – The star of the show! Deep flavor and gorgeous color.
• Ube extract – Intensifies the flavor and amps up that purple hue.
• Vanilla extract – A cozy background note.
• Whole milk – Helps create a soft, tender texture.

For The Streusel Topping

• Brown sugar – For that caramelized flavor.
• All-purpose flour – Holds the topping together.
• Cinnamon – A hint of spice to contrast the ube.
• Cold butter (cubed) – The key to that crumbly, bakery-style topping.

Optional Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk or cream
• Ube extract or vanilla

How To Make Ube Coffee Cake: Step-by-Step With All The Love

Preheat & Prep

• Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×9-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.

Make The Streusel

• In a bowl, mix:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup flour
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
• Cut in ¼ cup cold cubed butter until crumbly.
• Set aside (don’t snack on it… okay, maybe a little).

Mix The Dry Ingredients

• In another bowl, whisk:

  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Cream Butter And Sugar

• In a large bowl, beat:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup sugar
• Beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add Eggs And Flavorings

• Add:

  • 2 large eggs (one at a time)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ube extract
  • ¾ cup ube halaya
  • ½ cup sour cream

Combine Wet And Dry

• Alternate adding the dry ingredients and ½ cup milk into the wet mixture.
• Don’t overmix-just until incorporated.

Assemble And Bake

• Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
• Sprinkle that glorious streusel topping all over.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

(Optional) Glaze It!

• Mix:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk
  • A few drops of ube extract
• Drizzle once the cake has cooled.

Ingredient Science Spotlight: Why This Recipe Works

Let’s geek out a bit. There’s real baking science magic going on here:

• Ube halaya acts as both a flavor booster and a fat substitute. It keeps things moist while bringing that signature taste.
• Sour cream adds acidity, which tenderizes gluten and makes your crumb softer and richer.
• Butter vs. oil: Butter adds flavor and that classic coffee cake mouthfeel, while sour cream ensures moisture.
• The streusel has cold butter, which melts slowly in the oven, creating crisp, sweet clusters.

Expert Tips For Coffee Cake Perfection

• Room Temp Ingredients: Eggs, butter, and dairy mix better when not cold-no curdling or grainy texture!
• Don’t Overmix: Seriously. Mix until just combined or you’ll get a dense cake.
• Double That Streusel: Want a THICCC crumb top? Double the streusel ingredients.
• Toothpick Test: Check at 35 mins. You want moist crumbs-not wet batter.
• Rest Before Cutting: Let the cake cool at least 15-20 minutes so it doesn’t fall apart.

Recipe Variations: Fun Twists On The Classic

• Ube Cream Cheese Swirl: Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese in the batter before baking for a tangy surprise.
• Coconut Crumb Topping: Mix shredded coconut into the streusel for a tropical crunch.
• Marble It!: Swirl in some vanilla batter for a pretty purple-and-white marbled look.
• Mini Ube Coffee Cakes: Use muffin tins for portable brunch treats.
• Add Crushed Ube Polvoron or Toasted Pecans: For texture and a Filipino fusion twist.

Final Words: Why You’ll Fall For This Cake

There’s something about ube coffee cake that makes people pause mid-bite, look at you wide-eyed, and say, ’Wait-what is this??’ It’s familiar and totally unexpected all at once. The ube gives it this creamy, vanilla-meets-earthy-coconut flavor, the texture is pillow-soft with that crisp top, and the color? Come on. It’s a showstopper.

This is the kind of bake that:

• Wows at potlucks.
• Comforts on quiet Sundays.
• Makes a beautiful gift for a fellow food lover.

FAQs

What Is Ube Coffee Cake?

Ube coffee cake is a delicious dessert that combines the rich, purple yam flavor of ube with the traditional texture and crumb of a coffee cake. Ube, a sweet potato-like tuber, is often used in Filipino desserts, and its sweet, earthy taste gives the coffee cake a unique twist.

Can I Use Fresh Ube Instead Of Ube Extract For The Cake?

Yes, you can use fresh ube instead of ube extract. You will need to boil or steam the ube, mash it, and then incorporate it into the cake batter. Fresh ube gives a more natural flavor and a richer color to the cake.

How Do I Make Ube Coffee Cake From Scratch?

To make ube coffee cake from scratch, you will need basic ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, and milk. You’ll also need ube (either extract, powder, or mashed fresh ube). The batter is typically layered with a streusel topping for added flavor and texture, then baked until golden.

Can I Use Ube Powder Instead Of Ube Extract?

Yes, ube powder can be used instead of ube extract. To substitute, you’ll need to dissolve the powder in a small amount of warm water to rehydrate it before mixing it into the batter. The flavor may be slightly different, but it will still give the cake a nice ube flavor.

How Do I Store Leftover Ube Coffee Cake?

Store leftover ube coffee cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to a month. Be sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.

Can I Make Ube Coffee Cake Vegan?

Yes, you can make ube coffee cake vegan by replacing eggs with flax eggs or chia eggs, and using dairy-free butter and milk alternatives. Ensure that your ube extract or powder is vegan as well.

What Type Of Flour Should I Use For Ube Coffee Cake?

All-purpose flour is typically used for ube coffee cake, but you can substitute it with cake flour for a lighter, more tender crumb. If you prefer gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend.

Can I Add Nuts To My Ube Coffee Cake?

Yes, you can add chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts to the cake batter or sprinkle them on top for added texture and flavor. Just be sure to adjust the baking time if necessary.

How Do I Make The Streusel Topping For Ube Coffee Cake?

To make the streusel topping, mix together flour, sugar, and cold butter until it forms a crumbly texture. You can also add cinnamon or other spices to enhance the flavor. Sprinkle the streusel over the cake batter before baking to create a crispy, sweet topping.

Can I Make Ube Coffee Cake Ahead Of Time?

Yes, ube coffee cake can be made ahead of time. Once baked, let it cool completely before storing. You can prepare it the day before and let the flavors develop overnight. Simply cover it with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.