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A slice of ube cake with uneven cream cheese frosting on white plate. Overhead shot with crumbs and a fork beside it.

Ube Cake Recipe

This moist and fluffy ube cake is made with real purple yam or ube halaya and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. A vibrant Filipino dessert that's perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or any time you crave something colorful and delicious.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 410kcal
Cost: $12

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch round cake pan Grease and line with parchment
  • 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer
  • 2 Mixing bowl One for dry, one for wet ingredients
  • 1 Sifter or strainer For dry ingredients
  • 1 set Measuring cups/spoons Use for accuracy
  • 1 Spatula For folding and scraping batter
  • 1 Cooling rack For cooling cake layers
  • 1 Offset spatula For even frosting
  • 1 Cake turntable Optional; helps with smooth frosting application

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 2 ¼ cups Cake flour Sifted
  • 2 teaspoon Baking powder Fresh
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter Softened
  • 1 ¼ cups Granulated sugar
  • 4 Large eggs Room temperature
  • 1 cup Ube halaya Or mashed cooked purple yam
  • ¼ cup Whole milk Room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup Vegetable oil Adds moisture
  • ½ teaspoon Ube extract Optional, for enhanced color/flavor
  • Purple food coloring Optional, for deeper purple if desired

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter Softened
  • 2 ½ cups Powdered sugar Sifted
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoon Heavy cream Adjust for consistency
  • Ube extract Optional, for purple tint and extra flavor

Instructions

  • Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
  • Mix in eggs one at a time.
  • Stir in ube halaya and ube extract.
  • Alternate adding dry mix and milk; stir in vanilla and oil.
  • Divide into pans and bake for 28–32 minutes.
  • Let cool in pans for 10 mins, then on racks.
  • Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add cream.
  • Layer cake and apply frosting.
  • Add macapuno or extra frosting details.
  • Slice and enjoy at room temperature.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimated using automated tools and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1.5mg