Ube Halaya Recipe

A delicious and versatile Filipino dessert made with just three ingredients: ube, coconut milk, and sugar.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Filipino

Diet Gluten Free

Cook Time 30

Total Time 30

Servings cups

Calories 420kcal

Cost $6-$8

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.

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.