Are you craving a vibrant and flavorful dessert that's surprisingly easy to make? Then look no further! This easy ube cake recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and experienced cooks alike. The gorgeous purple hue of ube, a Filipino yam, combined with its subtly sweet and nutty flavor, makes this cake a true showstopper. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and healthy-ish treat! It's the perfect addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and homemade cooking projects.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup ube halaya (ube jam), mashed or pureed
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Optional: ½ cup ube powder for a more intense ube flavor
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking.
Combining Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step helps ensure even distribution of leavening agents for a light and fluffy cake.
Creaming Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Use an electric mixer for best results, but a good old-fashioned hand mixer will work too! This process incorporates air, resulting in a tender crumb.
Adding Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is well combined.
Incorporating Ube:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Gently fold in the mashed ube halaya until evenly distributed throughout the batter. If using ube powder, add it with the dry ingredients.
Baking the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it!
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust it with powdered sugar, frost it with your favorite frosting, or simply enjoy it plain.
Tips for the Best Ube Cake:
- Use good quality ube halaya for the best flavor and color.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting or serving to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Variations:
- Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk for a richer, more flavorful cake.
- Top with fresh whipped cream and berries for a beautiful and delicious presentation.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 250-300 (depending on ingredients and serving size)
- Fat: Around 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: Around 35-40g
- Protein: Around 3-4g
This easy ube cake recipe is a delightful treat that's perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this delicious and relatively healthy dessert, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different variations to create your own signature ube cake masterpiece! It’s a fantastic addition to your collection of best recipes and easy recipes for healthy meals.