Why Ube Muffins Are the Purple Treat Your Life is Missing!
Regarding desserts, ube muffins are an easy, go-to treat that adds a unique twist to your baking repertoire. Originating from the Philippines, ube (a purple yam) has a vibrant color and a naturally sweet flavor that makes it perfect for cakes, muffins, or cheesecake. I love how the muffin’s fluffy, moist texture contrasts with the crispy topping. Adding ube halaya or ube jam inside makes every bite incredibly rich and flavorful. It’s incredible how these muffins’ flaky, dense texture pairs so well with whipped cream or a hot cup of latte.
These muffins can be the star of your breakfast table or a delightful snack at work, school, or family gatherings. The tender crumb topped with a crumble finish is an instant crowd-pleaser, and I promise they’ll disappear faster than you can say “sweet potato.” If you’ve never tried this delicious Filipino treat, you’re in for a tasty surprise. You can easily incorporate ube into other Southeast Asian recipes, from boba drinks to soft serve. Whether it’s a simple muffin or a more elaborate cake, adding this real purple yam is guaranteed to impress. Orange and pink hues might find their way into the batter, but Ube steals the show every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These muffins are a perfect balance of dense, fluffy, and soft, with the rich ube flavor that comes from adding ube extract and ube halaya. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, a snack at work or school, or as a delightful treat at a picnic, they will undoubtedly stand out thanks to their vibrant color and stunning appearance. The coconut crumble topping adds a wonderful texture, making every bite flavorful. The simple recipe is best for beginners and anyone looking to make a quick, easy snack that will impress with its complete and creamy taste.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Muffin
Base Ingredients for Muffins:
You will need all-purpose flour, sugar, and baking powder to create the muffin base. These ingredients will give your muffins structure and sweetness.
Oils and Dairy:
Use canola or vegetable oil for a rich and creamy texture. For a dairy-free or creamier muffin, substitute with almond milk or buttermilk. Make sure to use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
Ube Flavor and Color:
The ube jam or ube halaya adds that signature ube flavor, while the ube extract intensifies the flavor and gives the muffins a beautiful purple color.
Crunch and texture:
To add texture and a bit of crunch, incorporate unsweetened coconut flakes or sweetened shredded coconut. For extra crunch, sprinkle pepitas or nuts on top.
Spices and Sweeteners:
A pinch of salt balances the muffins’ sweetness, while ground cinnamon and nutmeg add a warm, aromatic touch. The balance of sugar, baking soda, and kosher salt will help your muffins rise beautifully, ensuring perfect fluffiness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Muffin Pans:
Start by preparing your muffin pans and lining them with muffin liners. Preheat the oven to 350F (or 375°F if you prefer a quicker bake).
Mixing Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Mix sugar, canola oil, and urine extract in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients, then sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix gently, but don’t overmix—remember, you want a lumpy batter. Scoop your batter into the muffin cups, filling them about ⅓ full for a smooth finish.
Adding the Ube Halaya and Batter:
Once the cups are ready, take a spoon and place a generous amount of ube halaya in the center of each. After that, carefully add the remaining batter until the cups are about ⅔ full.
Preparing the Coconut Topping:
To make it extra special, prepare a coconut topping by mixing sweetened coconut flakes, sugar, and cold butter with your hands or a pastry cutter. Once blended, sprinkle this on top of each muffin before baking.
Baking the Muffins:
Place your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only minimal dry crumbs.
Cooling the Muffins:
After baking, let the muffins cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making Whipped Cream (Optional):
You can also enjoy the muffins with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. To make the whipped cream, beat heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, and pudding mix until you form stiff peaks.
Storing Leftovers:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions for Ube Muffins
Enjoy with Coffee or Tea:
Enjoy ube muffins with a hot coffee or tea for a cozy morning treat. This classic pairing enhances the rich, earthy flavor of ube, making it a comforting and satisfying choice.
Serve with Fresh Fruit:
Pair the muffins with fresh fruit like berries or mangoes for a sweet and refreshing addition. The fruit’s natural sweetness and slight tartness perfectly balance the smooth and creamy ube taste.
Add a sweet drizzle:
Drizzle sweetened condensed milk or maple syrup over the muffins if you want something extra indulgent. This will add a rich, velvety sweetness that enhances the muffins’ flavor profile.
Top with Whipped Cream:
Enhance the muffins by adding a dollop of whipped cream for a light and creamy texture. The fluffy cream contrasts with the dense, moist muffins, making them even more irresistible.
Sprinkle with toasted coconut or purple yam chips.
For a crunchy and visual touch, sprinkle toasted coconut or purple yam chips on the muffins. This adds texture and enhances the tropical essence of the tube.
Pair with Ube Ice Cream:
For a decadent dessert, serve Ube muffins with a scoop of ice cream. This double-ube combination intensifies the flavor, creating a creamy and indulgent treat.
Serve with Cream Cheese Spread:
Enjoy the muffins with a cream cheese spread for a rich and creamy contrast. The slight tanginess of cream cheese complements the sweetness of ube, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
These options perfectly complement the ube flavor and make for an enjoyable snack or afternoon delight.
Storing Ube Muffins for Freshness
Store Ube Muffins at Room Temperature:
To keep your ube muffins fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their soft texture and flavor.
Freeze Ube Muffins for Long-Term Storage:
If you want to keep your Ube muffins longer, it’s best to freeze them. Once the muffins have completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or a Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer. They will stay suitable for up to 1 month.
Thaw Ube Muffins Before Eating:
When you’re ready to enjoy ube muffins, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator for the best taste and texture. This slow-thawing method helps maintain the muffins’ moisture and freshness.
Maintain Ube Muffin Freshness:
This storage method ensures your ube muffins maintain their optimal freshness, allowing you to enjoy their soft, flavorful texture even after freezing.
FAQs About Ube Muffin Recipe
Q: What makes ube muffins unique compared to other muffins?
Ans: Ube muffins stand out because of their vibrant purple color, naturally sweet and nutty flavor, and soft, moist texture. Adding ube halaya (ube jam) and ube extract enhances their taste, making them a delicious Filipino-inspired treat.
Q: What ingredients are essential for making the best muffins?
Ans: The key ingredients include all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, ube halaya (ube jam), ube extract, eggs, oil, and buttermilk. These ingredients create the perfect balance of richness, moisture, and structure.
Q: How do I ensure my Ube muffins are moist and fluffy?
Ans: To achieve the best texture, use room-temperature eggs, do not overmix the batter, and ensure the right balance of wet and dry ingredients. Adding oil or buttermilk also helps keep them soft and moist.
Q: Can I make ube muffins without ube extract or ube halaya?
Ans: While possible, the ube flavor and color will not be as strong. You can substitute with mashed purple sweet potatoes, but for an authentic ube taste, using both ube extract and ube halaya is recommended.
Q: What toppings pair well with ube muffins?
Ans: Popular toppings include sweetened condensed milk, coconut flakes, whipped cream, purple yam chips, and a crumble topping. These add texture, sweetness, and an extra layer of flavor.
Ube Muffin Recipe
Equipment
- Muffin pans
- Muffin liners
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Sifter
- Spoon or cookie scoop
- Pastry cutter (for coconut topping)
- Oven
- Wire rack
- Hand or stand mixer (for whipped cream, optional)
- Freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag (for storing leftovers)
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- Oils and Dairy
- ⅔ cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- 1½ cups almond milk or buttermilk for dairy-free or creamier muffins
- 2 large room temperature eggs
- Ube Flavor and Color
- 1 cup ube jam or ube halaya
- 2 tsp ube extract
- Crunch and Texture
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes or sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tbsp pepitas or nuts for topping
- Spices and Sweeteners
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1½ cups sugar 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp kosher salt (for fluffiness and rising)
Instructions
- Preparing the Muffin Pans
- Line the muffin pans with muffin liners
- Preheat the oven to 350F (or 375°F for a quicker bake)
- Mixing Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Whisk together sugar, canola oil, and ube extract
- Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt
- Mix gently, ensuring the batter remains lumpy
- Scoop the batter into muffin cups, filling them about ⅓ full
- Adding the Ube Halaya and Batter
- Place a generous amount of ube halaya in the center of each muffin cup
- Add the remaining batter until the cups are about ⅔ full
- Preparing the Coconut Topping
- Mix sweetened coconut flakes, sugar, and cold butter
- Use your hands or a pastry cutter to blend
- Sprinkle the topping on each muffin before baking
- Baking the Muffins
- Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes
- Test with a toothpick—it should come out with minimal dry crumbs
- Cooling the Muffins
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes
- Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely
- Making Whipped Cream (Optional)
- Beat heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, and pudding mix
- Continue until you form stiff peaks
- Storing Leftovers
- Store leftover muffins in an airtight container in the fridge
Notes
They can be served warm or at room temperature.
If you prefer a more pungent ube taste, add an extra teaspoon of ube extract.
Experiment with different toppings and mix-ins to customize the flavor
Tips for the Best Ube Muffins
✔Use fresh ube halaya and high-quality ube extract for the most authentic flavor.
✔Do not overmix the batter—a lumpy batter ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
✔Fill muffin cups ⅔ full to allow room for rising.
✔Add some sour cream or yogurt to the batter for extra moisture.
✔Let muffins cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
✔Enhance the flavor with a coconut crumble topping for added crunch.
✔Store them properly to keep them fresh and moist for days.
