Ube Halaya or purple yam jam is a delicious and versatile dessert made with ube, milk, and sugar. With just 3 ingredients, it is simple to prepare and can be enjoyed in many ways.
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What is Ube Halaya?
Ube Halaya, or simply "Ube Jam," is a traditional dessert from the Philippines made with purple yam (ube). The yam is boiled, grated, then cooked with sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and sometimes butter.
This ube spread has a deep purple color with a smooth and thick consistency. It can be enjoyed on its own, used as a filling, or as a topping for many desserts. Often shaped using llaneras or oval pans, it is garnished with latik or caramelized coconut curds, shredded cheese, or toasted coconut.
Ingredients you'll need
Notes and substitutions
- Ube (Purple yam): Use pre-cooked fresh or frozen ube. Purple sweet potatoes like Purple Stokes and Okinawa sweet potatoes are excellent substitutes, as they offer a similar taste, texture, and appearance. The natural color of ube varies depending on the variety. If you prefer an intense purple color, add ube extract to achieve your desired shade.
- Coconut milk: Use full-fat coconut milk for full flavor. Alternatively, you can opt for evaporated milk, in which case you can enhance the taste by adding 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste or the natural sweetness of the ube. You can also use condensed milk for a creamier texture.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Combine a pound of grated ube, a 13.5 fl oz can of coconut milk, and ⅔ cups of granulated sugar in a saucepan or a shallow pot.
Step 2: You can use a potato masher or immersion blender for a smoother mixture if desired.
PRO TIP: For a silky-smooth Ube Halaya with less manual effort, use a blender, immersion blender, or food processor to puree the mixture. It ensures an even texture and saves time on stirring.
Step 3: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking.
Step 4: Continue cooking for about 30 minutes or until it thickens to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Lower the heat if it splatters. Adjust the cooking time based on the ube's moisture content and desired consistency.
Step 5: Remove from the heat and let it come to room temperature.
The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
Transfer your ube jam to a container and let it cool completely before serving or storing in the fridge. You can also keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQs
While powdered ube can be used as a substitute, it may not capture the authentic flavor and texture of traditional Ube Halaya, known for its concentrated and dense nature. If fresh or frozen grated ube is not available, purple sweet potatoes like Purple Stokes and Okinawa sweet potatoes make excellent substitutes in terms of taste and consistency.
Ube Halaya typically lasts a week or two when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. The freshness of the ingredients used and storage conditions can affect its shelf life.
Yes, you can freeze Ube Halaya for up to 3 months. Place it in a sealed container or freezer bag. The texture may slightly change when you defrost it, but it will still taste good.
Explore more ube desserts
- Ube Turon: A twist on the classic turon, with ube halaya wrapped in spring roll wrappers and fried until crispy.
- Ube Kalamay: A sticky rice cake made with glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and ube.
- Ginataang Bilo Bilo: A creamy dessert soup that combines chewy rice balls, tubers, saba bananas, jackfruit, sago, and sometimes ube for added richness.
- Halo Halo: A beloved Filipino shaved ice dessert loaded with mixed fruits, sweet beans, sago, gulaman, nata de coco, and often topped with Leche Flan, ice cream and pinipig.
- Ube Cheese Pandesal: Soft, warm bread rolls filled with gooey cheese and sweet ube halaya.
- Ube Crinkle Cookies: Soft, chewy cookies with ube flavor, coated in powdered sugar.
- Ube Puto: Steamed rice cakes that combine ube with the light, fluffy texture of puto.
- Ube Maja Blanca: A variation of the traditional coconut pudding, this one has the distinct color and subtle flavor of ube.
- Ube Ice Cream: Creamy homemade ice cream with the distinct flavor and color of ube.
Other dessert recipes you may like
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📖 Recipe
Ube Halaya Recipe
Equipment
- Potato Masher or Blender
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound pre-cooked ube (purple yam) mashed or grated (see note)
- 1 (13.5 fl oz) can coconut milk see note
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar see note
Instructions
- Combine the grated ube, coconut milk, and granulated sugar in a saucepan. You can blend it for a smoother mixture if desired.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking.
- Continue cooking for about 30 minutes or until it thickens to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Lower to medium-low heat if it splatters. Adjust the cooking time based on the ube's moisture content and desired consistency.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Transfer to a container and let it cool completely before serving or keep it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Ube (Purple yam): Use pre-cooked frozen or fresh ube. Purple sweet potatoes like Purple Stokes and Okinawa sweet potatoes are excellent substitutes, as they offer a similar taste, texture, and appearance. The natural color of ube varies depending on the variety. If you prefer an intense purple color, add ube extract to achieve your desired shade.
- Coconut milk: Use full-fat coconut milk for full flavor. Alternatively, you can opt for evaporated milk, in which case you can enhance the taste by adding 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar based on your taste or the natural sweetness of the ube. You can also use condensed milk for a creamier texture.
Jen
Thank you for the recipe. Ube Halaya is one of my favorite things - I didn't know it was this easy to make. =)
Nora Rey
You're very welcome! I'm thrilled that you love Ube Halaya, and I'm so glad I could share the recipe with you! 🥰