Name: Ube Cupcakes with Purple Frosting: Soft and Fluffy Ube-Flavored Cupcakes Topped with Swirls of Vibrant Purple Frosting – A Filipino-Inspired Delight
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam); 1/2 cup whole milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp ube extract; For the frosting:; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk; 1/2 tsp ube extract; Purple food coloring (optional for deeper color)

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These Ube Cupcakes with Purple Frosting are a vibrant and flavorful twist on traditional cupcakes. Made with real ube (purple yam), they feature a moist, tender crumb and are topped with luscious ube-infused buttercream in signature purple hues. Perfect for celebrations, cultural events, or anyone who loves ube’s uniquely nutty, vanilla-like flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Distinct flavor: ube offers a natural nutty sweetness with vanilla undertones.
Eye-catching: the bold purple color stands out beautifully on any dessert table.
Soft and moist crumb, thanks to the use of ube halaya or puree.
Great for Filipino-inspired celebrations or modern takes on classic cupcakes.
Frosting is rich, creamy, and easy to pipe or spread.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cupcakes:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube puree
Coconut milk or whole milk
Vegetable oil or melted butter
Vanilla extract
Ube extract (for color and intensified flavor)

For the frosting:

Unsalted butter, softened
Powdered sugar
Heavy cream or milk
Ube extract
Purple food coloring (optional, for deeper color)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray with paper liners.
Make the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, ube halaya or puree, milk, oil, vanilla extract, and ube extract until smooth.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter.
Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, until desired consistency is reached. Mix in ube extract and a drop of purple food coloring if desired.
Frost the cupcakes using a piping bag or spatula. Garnish with edible glitter, dried flowers, or coconut flakes if desired.

Servings and timing

Servings: Makes 12 standard cupcakes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Cooling and frosting time: 40 minutes
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes

Variations

Make mini cupcakes for parties or tasting platters.
Add a coconut cream filling inside the cupcake for added surprise.
Top with ube halaya swirl instead of frosting for a traditional Filipino touch.
Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives for a vegan version.
Pipe in two-tone frosting by adding white and purple in the same piping bag.

Storage/reheating

Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Bring to room temperature before serving.
Frosting can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

FAQs

What is ube?

Ube is a purple yam commonly used in Filipino desserts. It has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor with notes of vanilla and coconut.

Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya?

Yes, rehydrate the powder according to package directions and use it in place of halaya or puree.

What’s the difference between ube and taro?

Ube is sweeter and more vibrant purple, while taro is paler and earthier in flavor. They are not interchangeable in most recipes.

Is ube extract necessary?

Ube extract enhances both flavor and color. Without it, the cupcakes may be duller in taste and appearance.

Can I make this recipe without food coloring?

Yes, but the cupcakes may appear more muted. Ube extract often includes some color already.

How do I make ube halaya from scratch?

Cook mashed ube with condensed milk, evaporated milk, butter, and sugar until thick. Cool before using in the recipe.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a substitute. Baking time may vary slightly.

What piping tip is best for the frosting?

A large star tip (like Wilton 1M or 2D) creates beautiful swirls perfect for these cupcakes.

Can I make this into a cake instead of cupcakes?

Yes, use the same batter in an 8-inch round or square pan. Adjust baking time to 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

What pairs well with ube cupcakes?

Serve with coconut milk tea, coffee, or alongside other Filipino desserts like leche flan or halo-halo.

Conclusion

Ube Cupcakes with Purple Frosting are a stunning and flavorful dessert that brings a taste of Filipino heritage to modern baking. With their eye-catching color, soft texture, and rich flavor, they’re perfect for celebrations or everyday enjoyment. Whether you’re new to ube or a longtime fan, this recipe is sure to impress and delight.

Ube Cupcakes with Purple Frosting: Soft and Fluffy Ube-Flavored Cupcakes Topped with Swirls of Vibrant Purple Frosting – A Filipino-Inspired Delight

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Ube Cupcakes with Purple Frosting are soft, fluffy, and vibrantly colored treats made with ube, a purple yam beloved in Filipino cuisine. These cupcakes are topped with rich purple frosting, making them a visually stunning and delicious dessert.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling and frosting)
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Filipino
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add ube halaya, vanilla extract, and ube extract. Mix until combined.
Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool cupcakes in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, ube extract, and milk until desired consistency is reached.
Add purple food coloring if a deeper hue is desired. Beat until fluffy.
Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes and serve.