Ube Pastillas, also known as Pastillas de Ube, are a delicious Filipino sweet treat made with a simple combination of Ube Halaya, powdered milk, and condensed milk. These candies are incredibly easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients and no cooking involved!
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What are Ube Pastillas?
Ube Pastillas are a variation of the traditional Filipino candy known as pastillas, made with milk and sugar. They are typically rolled into small logs or balls, then coated in sugar. In this version, Ube Pastillas combines Ube Halaya, powdered milk, and condensed milk.
Ingredients you'll need
Notes and substitutions
- Powdered milk: This key ingredient is dehydrated milk with a creamy texture and mild dairy flavor.
- Ube Halaya: This jam is made with ube or purple yam with a creamy texture and vibrant purple color. While homemade is preferred, a store-bought version is a convenient alternative. You can also use fresh or frozen ube that's been cooked, with added sugar to taste. Purple sweet potatoes, which I've used in this recipe, make an excellent substitute.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Mix the ingredients
In a bowl, combine Ube Halaya, condensed milk, powdered milk, and a pinch of salt. Different varieties of purple yam can vary in color; if you desire a more vibrant color and flavor, add a few drops of ube extract or flavoring. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined and form a dough-like consistency.
PRO TIP: To get the texture you like, add more condensed milk for a softer mixture or more powdered milk for a firmer texture.
Step 2: Shape the pastillas
Take small portions of the mixture (about a tablespoon each) and roll them into small log shapes or balls, depending on your preference.
Step 3: Coat with sugar
Roll each piece in granulated sugar until fully coated, adding sweetness and texture to the pastillas.
Step 4: Chill and serve
Place the sugar-coated pastillas in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to firm up. Serve your Ube Pastillas as a sweet treat or dessert.
For a traditional touch, you can individually wrap each Ube Pastilla in cellophane or papel de japon (Japanese paper) for presentation.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use fresh or frozen ube. Cook and mash it, then sweeten to taste. However, remember that Ube Halaya often has a richer flavor and consistency.
Due to their dairy content, Ube Pastillas should be refrigerated. When stored in an airtight container, they will remain fresh for up to 2 weeks. However, for the best taste and texture, it's best to consume them within a week.
Ube flavoring enhances color and taste but is optional. Without it, your pastillas will have a more natural and subtle ube flavor.
More ube recipes
- Ube Kalamay: A sweet rice cake made with glutinous rice flour, Ube Halaya, and coconut milk, often topped with latik or caramelized coconut curds.
- Ube Ice Cream: A creamy, rich purple yam ice cream with a vibrant purple color and a slightly sweet flavor.
- Ube Halaya: This is a sweet and sticky jam made with purple yam and coconut milk.
- Ube Espasol: This is a variation of the traditional Espasol, shaped into logs and rolled in toasted rice flour.
- Ube Turon: A twist on the traditional Turon, with Ube Halaya and saba bananas wrapped in lumpia wrappers and fried until crispy.
- Ube Suman sa Latik: Steamed rice cakes made with glutinous rice and Ube Halaya, then topped with latik and steamed in banana leaves.
- Inutak: Soft, sticky rice cake with an ube layer, a plain layer, and a browned coconut cream topping.
Other candies and sweets you may like
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📖 Recipe
Ube Pastillas
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered milk see note
- ½ cup Ube Halaya see note
- ¼ cup condensed milk more to taste
- Ube extract or flavoring to taste
- A pinch of salt
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar for coating
- Candy wrappers optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ube halaya, condensed milk, powdered milk, and a pinch of salt. Different varieties of ube can vary in color; if you desire a more vibrant color and flavor, add a few drops of ube extract or flavoring. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined and form a dough-like consistency.PRO TIP: To get the texture you like, add more condensed milk for a softer mixture or more powdered milk for a firmer texture.
- Take small portions of the mixture (about a tablespoon each) and roll them into small log shapes or balls, depending on your preference.
- Roll each piece in granulated sugar until fully coated, adding sweetness and texture to the pastillas.
- Place the sugar-coated pastillas in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour to firm up. Serve your Ube Pastillas as a sweet treat or dessert.
- For a traditional touch, you can individually wrap each Ube Pastilla in cellophane or papel de japon (Japanese paper) for presentation.
Notes
- Powdered milk: This key ingredient is dehydrated milk with a creamy texture and mild dairy flavor.
- Ube Halaya: This jam is made with ube or purple yam with a creamy texture and vibrant purple color. While homemade is preferred, a store-bought version is a convenient alternative. You can also use fresh or frozen ube that's been cooked, with added sugar to taste. Purple sweet potatoes, which I've used in this recipe, make an excellent substitute.
Marie says
My childhood favorite, but different shape. Looks so good. Thanks.
Nora Reyes says
Hi Marie, Thank you! I grew up eating the log-shaped pastillas.. if that's what you mean.