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    Home » Desserts Recipes

    Ube Halaya Recipe

    Published: May 30, 2023 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 2 Comments

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    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.

    Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • What is Ube Halaya?
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • Notes and substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Explore more ube desserts
    • Other dessert recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    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

    Individual ingredients for Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)

    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.

    Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) ingredients in a saucepan.

    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.

    Blending the ingredients for Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a saucepan.

    Step 3: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking.

    Mixing the blended ingredients of Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a saucepan.

    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.

    Mixing the thickened ingredients for Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a saucepan.

    Step 5: Remove from the heat and let it come to room temperature.

    Cooked Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a saucepan.

    The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.

    Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a spoon.

    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.

    Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam) in a mason jar.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use ube powder to make Ube Halaya?

    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.

    How long does Ube Halaya last?

    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.

    Can I freeze Ube Halaya?

    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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    Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes.  Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

    Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!

    📖 Recipe

    Ube halaya purple yam jam on a spoon.

    Ube Halaya Recipe

    A delicious and versatile Filipino dessert made with just three ingredients: ube, coconut milk, and sugar.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2.5 cups
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $6-$8

    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
    US Customary - Metric

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 104gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 17mgPotassium: 1482mgFiber: 7gSugar: 54gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.
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    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jen

      July 11, 2023 at 3:30 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for the recipe. Ube Halaya is one of my favorite things - I didn't know it was this easy to make. =)

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 20, 2023 at 1:53 pm

        You're very welcome! I'm thrilled that you love Ube Halaya, and I'm so glad I could share the recipe with you! 🥰

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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