Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (2024)

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by Relle

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Ube halaya and it’s rich purple hues make this popular Filipino dessert almost too beautiful to eat. It’s rich, creamy, and oh so yummy.

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (1)

They say you eat with your eyes first and this gorgeous purple delicacy is no different Rich, deep purple hues that make any purple lover’s dreams come true.

All things ube have become more and more popular in many places around the world, including Hawai’i. And ube halaya is no different.

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (2)

What is ube?

Ube is a purple yam. Not to be confused with purple sweet potatoes or taro.

Where can I find ube?

Fresh ube is difficult to find in Hawai’i or the rest of the US. You’ll often find it sold as a powder, extract, grated and frozen, or as a jam.

What can I make with ube?

Ube has taken over many kitchens in Asia and Hawai’i. Some popular things you can make are ube mochi waffles, ube mochi, ube glazed air fryer donuts.

Another popular way to use ube is in ube halaya.

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (3)

What is ube halaya?

Ube halaya is a popular Filipino jam made of boiled and mashed purple yams. It’s used as a base in many desserts like ice cream, halo halo, cakes, etc.

This jam can be found in the stores, but recently it’s been harder and harder to get my hands on it, so I figure I make my own. Fresh ube is pretty much non-existent here in Hawai’i, as I mentioned before. I was able to find powdered ube pretty easily at most stores. I adapted this recipe from Giron Foods.

You can use this recipe to make my ube crinkle cookies.

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (4)

Ube halaya ingredients

  • 1 package (4.06 ounces) ube powder
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ube extract
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (5)

This recipe was adapted from Giron Foods, Inc and this post.

How to eat ube halaya?

You can eat this on its own as a dessert, sprinkle some cheese or coconut over it, as a spread on toast or bread, or in baked goods like cookies and cakes.

How to store ube halaya?

Once cooled, place in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator.

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (6)

How long does ube halaya last?

This will last 3-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer.

How to defrost frozen ube halaya?

When ready to use you can defrost at room temperature for a few hours or in the refrigerator overnight.

How to make ube halaya?

Set a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add ube powder and water. Mix until ube powder begins to rehydrate with the water.

Then add condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and ube extract. Mix until well combined.

Once the mixture begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes, add the butter. Stir until butter is well combined.

Continue cooking until mixture thickens to a jam like consistency stirring frequently to prevent burning. This will take a total of 30-45 minutes.

Place ube halaya in the container of your choice to completely cool. Once cooled store in the refrigerator. ENJOY!!

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (7)

Ube Halaya Recipe

Relle Lum

Ube halaya and it’s rich purple hues make this popular Filipino dessert almost too beautiful to eat. It’s rich, creamy, and oh so yummy.

4.67 from 21 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine Filipino

Servings 1 pan

Calories 306 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Set a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add ube powder and water. Mix until ube powder begins to rehydrate with the water.

  • Then add condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and ube extract. Mix until well combined.

  • Once the mixture begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes, add the butter. Stir until butter is well combined.

  • Continue cooking until mixture thickens to a jam like consistency stirring frequently to prevent burning. This will take a total of 30-45 minutes.

  • Place ube halaya in the container of your choice to completely cool. Once cooled store in the refrigerator. ENJOY!!

Notes

* Recipe adapted from Giron Foods and this post.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 46.1gProtein: 8.25gFat: 9.75g

Keyword desserts, filipino food, keeping it relle, ube, ube halaya, ube halaya recipe, ube jam

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Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (8)

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By Relle on May 23rd, 2020

Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (9)

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

More posts by this author.

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Easy Ube Halaya Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between ube jam and Ube Halaya? ›

Ube halaya is the main base in ube/purple yam flavored-pastries and ube ice cream. It can also be incorporated in other desserts such as halo-halo. It is also commonly anglicized as ube jam, or called by its original native name, nilupak na ube.

What is Ube Halaya made of? ›

Halayang Ube (Ube Halaya) is a classic Filipino delicacy made of purple yam, coconut milk, and butter. Creamy, cheesy, and topped with golden latik, it's delicious as a snack or dessert.

Is Ube Halaya healthy? ›

Similar to many other kinds of yams and sweet potatoes, ube is a highly nutritious tuber. It's a great fit for a balanced, healthy eating pattern (whether it's in a meal, snack or dessert).

What is the English of Ube Halaya? ›

It's also called purple yam jam or ube jam or halayang ube. Ube is cooked, mashed, and then cooked again with dairy and sugar to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet pudding-like dessert.

What does ube do to the body? ›

The bottom line

Purple yams are an incredibly nutritious starchy root vegetable. Their powerful antioxidants may help reduce your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. They are tasty and versatile with a vibrant color, making them an exciting ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

Which is healthier taro or ube? ›

Taro Nutrition. In terms of calories, taro and ube are very similar, with around 140 to 180 calories per serving. Ube is higher in sugar and has lots of antioxidants. Because it has a low glycemic index, meaning the carbohydrates and sugars get metabolized by your body very slowly, it can also help regulate blood sugar ...

Is Ube Halaya high in calories? ›

Ube Nutrition Facts

120 calories. 1 grams (g) protein. 0g fat. 27g carbohydrates.

What country is Ube Halaya from? ›

The Birth of Ube Halaya

Its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Filipinos began experimenting with different ways to prepare ube. The dish typically consists of grated purple yam, coconut milk, condensed milk, and sugar, all simmered together until it forms a rich, sweet, and vibrant purple paste.

Is Japanese purple yam the same as ube? ›

For the uninitiated, ube (pronounced ooh-bae) is a starchy vegetable also as known as a purple yam. But it is not the same as purple sweet potatoes, though they are similar and can be substituted in recipes. Ube is often confused with Stokes Purple sweet potatoes or Okinawan sweet potatoes which are also purple.

Can diabetics eat ube? ›

Keeping Blood Sugar in Check: Potential Benefits for Diabetes Management. Studies suggest that ube may have a role to play in blood sugar management. The presence of flavonoids in ube might contribute to regulating blood sugar levels, potentially benefiting individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Is ube anti-inflammatory? ›

“Resistant starch can act as a great prebiotic fiber," says Cabrero. "Prebiotics help healthy bacteria in the gut flourish and protect our immune system.” Ultimately, "both ube's antioxidant profile and fiber content make it a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet," Cabrero says.

Is purple yam good for your liver? ›

Purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPA) have been shown to exert antioxidant activity and oxidative-stress-associated functional protein modulation through various signaling pathways, so it is considered to have the potential of liver injury preventive activity.

Is ube from Japan or Philippines? ›

Ube is Tagalog – the national language of the Philippines – for the purple yam native to Southeast Asia that has since been naturalized in South America, Africa, Australia, and the southeastern United States. It is also known as the “winged” or “water” yam in English.

Is ube a Filipino word? ›

The word ube (pronounced "ooo-bay") comes from the yam's name in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. (In the Philippines, it is also called ubi; when sold in seed catalogs in the United States for growing at home it is sometimes called "winged yam").

Are dogs allowed to eat ube? ›

Is Ube Safe for Dogs? Provided the ube has been properly prepared (boiled or steamed) it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Feeding a large amount in one go will likely lead to gastrointestinal upset or discomfort, so don't go too crazy.

What does purple yam jam taste like? ›

What Does Ube Taste Like? The distinct ube flavor is slightly nutty with a hint of vanilla. It has a coconut-like aroma that lends itself well to dessert items. Ube is most often boiled, mashed, and mixed with condensed milk to bring out its sweetness.

What is the best ube jam in baguio? ›

baguio, the good shepherd convent is the place to go. the ube (purple yam) jam is a favorite along with their peanut brittle and peanut butter. children whom the nuns take under their care. mines view park and has a deck to see the same ravine being showcased at the latter.

Where did ube jam originated? ›

Ube, scientifically known as Dioscorea alata, has a long history in the Philippines, dating back to pre-colonial times. It is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia and has been cultivated in the Philippines for centuries.

How many types of ube are there? ›

The three varieties as recommended and approved by the National Seed Industry Council are: Basco ubi (whose cortex has a white-purplish tinge) Zambales ubi (purple cortex) Leyte ubi (cream to pink cortex with white flesh)

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