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Ube Cupcakes Recipe (with video and step-by-step photos)

by Jolina 31 Comments [This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.]

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Ube cupcakes are little ube cakes packed with big ube flavour. Soft, dense and just the right amount of sweet. Top with ube whipped cream frosting and sprinkle with toasted shredded coconut for the ultimate Filipino treat.

(Do you love ube as much as I do? Try this ube cake recipe. It’s your favourite ube cake frosted with the most amazing ube Swiss meringue buttercream. Or bake a batch of these ube crinkles – they’re going to be your new favourite cookie!)

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

These ube cupcakes with ube whipped cream frosting have been in my to-do list for a very long time.

I receive emails and messages from TUB readers regularly, asking if I have an ube cupcake recipe, or if I can help them convert the measurements of my ube cake so they can make cupcakes out of it.

Happily, the wait is over my friends! And it is totally worth it.

These ube cupcakes are everything we love about ube cakes. But individual-sized (so no sharing!).

They are soft but dense; moist and packed with ube flavour. They are a rich, vibrant purple. No food colouring added. Meant to be the star of any celebration.

What are ube cupcakes?

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

But first, what is ube?

I know ube sounds foreign and unfamiliar to a lot of you. The simple explanation is it’s Filipino purple yam (my post on ube waffles has more information about it).

Filipinos use it mostly for desserts, the most common of which is ube halaya or jam.

Ube cupcakes are cupcakes that are jam-packed with ube flavour, either through the addition of ube halaya, ube extract or, in the case of this recipe, both.

And you may have already noticed — it’s wonderfully purple. I don’t add any additional food colouring on any of my ube recipes here on TUB; you will get that awesome hue simply by using ube and/or ube extract (sometimes sold as ube flavouring).

How to make ube cupcakes

Now that’s out of the way, let’s bake some cupcakes!

Making this Filipino ube cupcake recipe is not that different from making any other cupcake flavour (watch the video for visual instructions and for the detailed recipe, please scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find a printable recipe card).

First you start by whisking eggs, sugar and oil until combined.

How to make ube cupcake recipe
How to make ube cupcake recipe

Then you add ube halaya or jam and whisk until fully incorporated. You don’t want big chunks of jam remaining so whisk it good.

How to make ube cupcake recipe
How to make ube cupcake recipe

Add the ube extract and give it a quick stir until combined.

How to make ube cupcake recipe
How to make ube cupcake recipe

Using a fine mesh sieve, sift cake flour, baking powder and salt into your ube mixture and gently stir. You don’t want to over-mix at this point; as soon as  you no longer see massive streaks of flour remaining, you’re done.

How to make ube cupcake recipe
How to make ube cupcake recipe

Scoop your batter into your cupcake tin. Fill each liner a little over 1/2 full and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out with minimal, dry crumbs.

The tops should also spring back when you press on them lightly.

How to make ube whipped cream frosting

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

I love making homemade whipped cream. It tastes better than store-bought whipped cream and it’s the easiest thing in the world to make.

For this ube whipped cream frosting, I use stabilized whipped cream, which doesn’t melt as fast and stays pretty on top of cupcakes longer.

What you do is bloom gelatine in cold water. While that’s happening, start whipping your cream with sugar and ube extract until you reach medium peaks.

Go back to your gelatine and microwave for 10 seconds until dissolved. Stir to bring down to room temperature.

Add a dollop of whipped cream to your gelatine to temper it, then add the tempered gelatine to your whipped cream and continue whipping until you reach stiff peaks.

I learned how to stabilize whipped cream from my foodie blog pal Veena. She actually has 5 different ways to stabilize whipped cream in case you don’t want to use gelatine. Check it out here. 

Ube cupcake ingredients

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

Apart from the ube halaya or jam and the ube extract, which you can buy at an Asian supermarket or Amazon, the rest of the ingredients in this recipe are pantry staples:

  • Eggs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Canola or any flavourless oil (cakes baked with oil stay moist and tender longer than cakes made with butter. Butter lends great flavour but in a flavour-rich recipe like this, the flavour that butter would give is going to be negligible.)
  • Cake flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

For the ube whipped cream frosting, you need:

  • Heavy cream (at least 35% fat content)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ube extract
  • Unflavoured gelatine
  • Plain old cold water

And shredded coconut, which you can toast and sprinkle on top.

Tools you need to make this Filipino ube cupcake recipe

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

I use my handheld electric mixer for this recipe, though you can also use your stand mixer if you have it, or whisk by hand.

In addition, you’ll also need:

  • A cupcake pan
  • Cupcake liners
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

To frost your cupcakes, some frosting tips and a piping bag will come in handy but they’re not necessary. Sometimes I just spoon a small amount of frosting on my cupcakes, swirl it around and call it a day.

Ube cupcake baking tips

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

You’ll hear it from bakers everywhere — baking is a science. But it doesn’t mean it’s hard. Here are some tips to make baking ube cupcakes a walk in the park.

The best way to incorporate ube halaya to the cupcake batter

Ube jam can sometimes be a challenging ingredient to work with, especially if you need to incorporate it into batter.

Not all jams are created equal — some are sweeter, some are softer, some are chunkier.

So first things first, taste the jam you’re using and, like wine, you must like the jam you’re going to bake with! If you think it’s already too sweet, you may need to adjust the sugar content in the recipe.

Second, leave it out on the counter about half an hour prior to when you have to use it. Room temperature ube halaya is easier to incorporate into batter than one that’s straight out of the fridge.

In fact, this is true for all your cupcake ingredients. Make sure to bring everything to room temperature before using them.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour in this recipe?

I’ve always made these cupcakes using cake flour. Cake flour is finer and more delicate than all purpose flour and results to cupcakes that have a more tender texture, a finer crumb and a good rise.

If you don’t have cake flour, don’t let it stop you though. You can still use all purpose flour, just expect a slight difference in texture.

Also, remember that substitution is not 1:1. Check out this quick guide.  


Why did my cupcakes crack on top?

If you look at the pictures, you’ll see that some of my ube cupcakes cracked on top. This sometimes happens when the cupcakes rise too fast, literally bursting.

Although there are many possible reasons, most often the main culprit is oven temperature — it’s just gotten too hot.

If you notice this happening to you, you can lower the temperature by 25F and continue baking. It would also help if you rotate the cupcake pan as you check so the cakes bake evenly.

I don’t usually stress too much about this when I bake cupcakes though; they will be covered by frosting anyway and the cakes are still delicious. But if you want perfect cupcakes underneath, check at the halfway point and adjust accordingly.

Also, invest in an oven thermometer. It’s inexpensive and will become the most used tool in your kitchen.


How do you get cupcakes to not stick to the cupcake liners?

Another common cupcake baking issue (now this one annoys me) is when cakes stick to the cupcake liners. So I’ve since switched to grease-proof liners.

Here are other tips I found to prevent cupcake liners from sticking.


How do you make cupcakes without using a cupcake pan?

What if you don’t own a cupcake pan but really want cupcakes? You can still bake some!

My favourite way is to use cardboard cupcake cups; they’re sturdier and can stand on their own.

I simply place them on a regular baking or cookie sheet and off I go. I use them when making Brazo de Mercedes cupcakes and Hokkaido Japanese cupcakes and they work like a charm.

If you don’t want to invest in them, no worries. There are other clever ways to bake cupcakes without a pan. Check them out here. 

Other delicious ube recipes

Ube Cheesecake with Coconut Cookie Crust and Coconut Whipped Cream (Video)
Ube Cheesecake
Ube Bread Rolls with Toasted Coconut
Ube Bread Rolls

Homemade Ube Ice Cream
Homemade Ube Ice Cream
Ube Chiffon Cake Recipe
Ube Chiffon Cake

Ube is such a fantastic ingredient. It’s really one of my favourites, right up there with lemon and chocolate. Hope you give it a try. You won’t regret it.

  • This ube cheesecake is phenomenal. Rich, creamy, luxurious. Plus I give lots of tips for baking crack-free, perfect cheesecakes each time.
  • Start the day right with ube bread rolls with toasted coconut. Soft bread, delicious ube, goes so well with your morning coffee or tea!
  • Feeling the heat? Make homemade ube ice cream. It’s easier than you think (no ice cream maker needed) and way better than the ones you can buy at the store.
  • Ube chiffon cake is light, airy and melts-in-your-mouth. With its vibrant purple colour and delicious ube flavour, it’s perfect for special occasions. Easy to make, it’s great as an everyday cake too!

And if you’re raring to try other Filipino food, check this out and explore Filipino cuisine.

This is the best ube cupcake recipe. Easy, delicious, ready in no time. Bursting with ube flavour. Delightfully purple. Share with family and friends. Enjoy!

 

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

Ube Cupcakes Recipe

Author: Jolina
Ube cupcakes are little ube cakes packed with big ube flavour. Soft, dense and just the right amount of sweet. Top with ube whipped cream frosting and sprinkle with toasted shredded coconut for the ultimate Filipino treat.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 12 cupcakes
Calories 234 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Ube Cupcakes:

  • 2 pcs large eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup ube jam 1 heaping cup, see notes
  • 3 tsp ube extract
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

For the Ube Whipped Cream Frosting:

  • 1 tsp unflavoured gelatine
  • 2 tbsp cold water
  • 1 cup heavy cream chilled
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp ube extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup canola oil until combined.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Add ube jam and whisk until you don’t see any ube jam chunks remaining.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Add 3 tsp ube extract and continue whisking until combined.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Sift 1 cup cake flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt into your ube mixture.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Gently stir just until combined. Do not over mix. If you no longer see massive streaks of flour, you’re OK.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Scoop batter into prepared liners, filling them a little over 1/2 full.
    How to make ube cupcake recipe
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a few of the cupcakes comes out with minimal dry crumbs and the tops spring back when lightly pressed.
  • Remove from pan and cool on a rack completely before frosting.
  • To make the ube whipped cream frosting, in a small bowl or measuring cup, sprinkle 1 tsp gelatine into 2 tbsp cold water and set aside to bloom (about 2 minutes). Do not stir.
  • In the meantime, using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, start whipping 1 cup heavy cream with 3 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp ube extract on medium speed until you reach medium peaks.
  • Go back to your gelatine and microwave for 10 seconds to dissolve. Stir to combine and bring down to room temperature.
  • Add a dollop of your whipped cream into the gelatine to temper it. Then add the tempered gelatine to your whipped cream and continue whisking until you reach stiff peaks.
  • Frost and decorate cupcakes as desired.

Video

Notes

  1. Not all ube jams are created equal. Some are sweeter, others are creamier, so make sure to taste before using (and you must like the jam you’re using!). To make it easier to incorporate into batter, I usually leave it out on the counter about 30 minutes before using it.
  2. The cupcakes are best served the day they are baked. If you need to make them ahead, keep the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days and frost them the day you're serving them.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 106mgPotassium: 67mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 292IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information are estimates only.

Keyword Birthday, Celebration, Christmas, Easy, Thanksgiving
Tried this recipe?Tag @iamtheunlikelybaker I'd love to see your creations!

 

Happy baking!

Did you make ube cupcakes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. If you’re looking for more unique, creative and delicious cupcake recipes, check out this cupcake recipes collection.

And let’s get social! Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Flipboard.

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Filed Under: Cupcakes & Muffins, Filipino Cuisine, Filipino Desserts, Recipes, Ube Recipes, Video Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    November 22, 2020 at 10:55 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is awesome – thank you for sharing. For a low fat version, I used unsweetened apple sauce instead of oil and my family couldn’t tell the difference. Addtionally, I went plain on the topping and used vanilla instead of ube extract for balance. Plus we noticed the ube flavored icing stained our tongues purple. Your halaya recipe is also amazing. So happy to find your site.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      November 24, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Hi Suzanne, glad you liked it! Great tip on the apple sauce. And yes, ube extract can do that lol. Enjoy all things ube! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Willena Doce says

    September 27, 2020 at 10:17 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipe. We loved it. Just perfect

    Reply
    • Willena Doce says

      November 20, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      Everybody loves the cupcakes, even without the icing.

      Reply
      • Jolina says

        November 24, 2020 at 10:27 am

        Happy to hear that Willena!

        Reply
  3. Lurlyn says

    September 3, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    Is it ok to half this recipe? I only want a small batch.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      September 6, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      Hi Lurlyn, yes you can use the yield adjustment feature on the recipe card. Under servings, the number is clickable – you can adjust to whatever number you like. Just note that this only adjusts the ingredient list and not the instructions or the baking time.

      Reply
  4. AliaZeinab says

    August 26, 2020 at 12:27 am

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe and it tastes amazing.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      August 31, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      That’s awesome AlieZeinab! Glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
  5. Cel says

    August 7, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    hi! can i use this recipe for a 9 inch round cake? thanks.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      August 11, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hi Cel, it’s better to use the cake recipe this cupcake is based on: https://theunlikelybaker.com/ube-cake-filipino-purple-yam-cake/

      Reply
  6. Sandy says

    May 8, 2020 at 10:40 pm

    How long do you mix the frosting before it gets the medium peaks referenced? And then how long to get the stuff peaks? I completely failed at my attempt to make the frosting. I ended up with curdled runny purple liquid.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      May 11, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Sandy! Curdled whipped cream means you’ve over whipped the cream. Easy way to fix it is to add a few tablespoons of fresh cream then gently beat that into your existing mixture. All it takes is a few seconds. This would only work if cream hasn’t separated though and began turning into butter. Then I’m afraid at this point you will have to start again. To answer your question, when I make the frosting it doesn’t take long at all, less than 15 minutes.

      Reply
  7. Kris says

    March 6, 2020 at 7:50 am

    Do you have video for the whipped cream frosting?

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      March 11, 2020 at 9:11 am

      Hi Kris! No video for that yet.

      Reply
  8. Glenn says

    January 5, 2020 at 12:46 am

    5 stars
    I made one batch of this cupcakes, I love it, thank you for the recipe,,

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      January 6, 2020 at 3:23 pm

      Hi Glenn! You’re most welcome. Happy to hear you liked them 🙂

      Reply
  9. Linda says

    November 20, 2019 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Jolina I make your ube cupcakes and you’re right to say their delicious. My mother in law makes ube halaya so I am lucky because the ube jams in the supermarkets here are no good. The icing is very good too. Thank you my dear!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      November 25, 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Hi Linda! You’re welcome! And you’re very lucky indeed 🙂 I tried some of the ube jam brands they sell here and didn’t like them either. I almost always use Good Shepherd, the best IMO!

      Reply
      • Rima says

        June 28, 2020 at 8:59 am

        Where can I find Good Shepherd here in the states?

        Reply
        • Jolina says

          July 3, 2020 at 9:58 am

          Hi Rima. Not sure, maybe Filipino stores carry them? I’m in Canada and can’t find Good Shepherd here. I rely on padala! 🙂

          Reply
  10. Annie says

    August 24, 2019 at 6:13 am

    Gosh, the cupcakes look so delicious I have bookmarked this recipe, definitely going to make this soon!

    Reply
  11. Joan says

    August 23, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    I love ube and I love cupcakes and these cupcakes look delicious!

    Reply
  12. Fila says

    August 23, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    I have been craving ube for so long. We use to live near red ribbon but moved and now it’s very far to buy ube cakes and ube treats. I saved your ube cake but I’m not doing it yet I;m not a good baker. So happy these cupcakes are available! I will definitely bake. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      August 26, 2019 at 11:18 am

      Hi Fila! You’re most welcome! These cupcakes are very easy to do (I added video and photos to help) and delicious. Hope you like them.

      Reply
  13. CHad says

    August 23, 2019 at 11:52 am

    omg this cup cake is out of this world, it looks soooo delicious. I am making it for sure.

    Reply
  14. Lina says

    August 23, 2019 at 8:30 am

    I like so much Filipino cuisine, it’s very tasty! I would love to try to make this recipe. I hope it looks as good as yours cupcakes

    Reply
  15. Neely Moldovan says

    August 23, 2019 at 7:59 am

    THey are so pretty and sound so good! I would love to try to make them sometime!

    Reply
  16. Aggie says

    August 23, 2019 at 6:56 am

    I’m one of the people who have been waiting for ube cupcake recipe 🙂 Thank you Jolina, I cannot wait to bake ube cupcakes!

    Reply
    • Jolina says

      August 26, 2019 at 11:20 am

      You’re welcome Aggie! Have fun and enjoy!

      Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    August 22, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    The color is absolutely gorgeous! I want to make some of these just for the presentation. Purple is my favorite color, maybe these should be my birthday cupcakes next year!

    Reply

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This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

Nutrition values provided on this site are estimates only. See Terms of Use for more information.