Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey to the Philippines? Then get ready to bake this incredibly moist and flavorful ube cake! This recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks looking for a delicious and impressive dessert. Forget dry, crumbly cakes – this recipe guarantees a melt-in-your-mouth experience with the vibrant purple hue and unique sweet potato flavor of ube. It's the perfect addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and healthy meals (relatively speaking!), making it ideal for birthdays, potlucks, or simply a delightful weeknight treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup ube halaya (ube jam/paste), mashed
- 1/2 cup milk
- Purple food coloring (optional, for a more vibrant color)
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. This is a crucial step for easy removal and a beautiful cake!
Combining Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents for a perfectly light cake.
Creaming Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, resulting in a lighter texture. Use an electric mixer for best results.
Adding Wet Ingredients:
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Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure to fully incorporate each egg before adding the next.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and mashed ube halaya. This prevents lumps and ensures an even distribution of ube throughout the cake. If your ube halaya is particularly thick, you might need a little extra milk.
Combining Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough cake.
Adding Color (Optional):
- If you want a more intense purple color, add a few drops of purple food coloring at this stage and mix gently until evenly distributed.
Baking the Cake:
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Divide the batter evenly between the prepared baking pans.
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Ube Cake:
- Use good quality ube halaya for the best flavor. The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the final taste.
- Don't overmix the batter! Overmixing leads to a tough cake.
- Make sure your butter is softened but not melted.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting or serving. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Variations:
- Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully with ube cake.
- Ube Buttercream Frosting: For a truly ube-licious experience, try making an ube buttercream frosting. Many recipes are available online.
- Add-ins: Consider adding chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or ube chips to the batter for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. For a more precise calculation, use a nutrition calculator with your exact ingredients.
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Around 18-22g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 45-50g
- Protein: About 4-5g
This moist ube cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its vibrant color and unique flavor profile make it a truly special dessert. Enjoy baking and sharing this taste of the Philippines!