If you have a soft spot for vibrant, flavorful treats, then you’re going to love this Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe. These cookies bring together the dreamy, naturally sweet essence of ube with creamy white chocolate chunks, resulting in a delightful bite that’s as stunning to look at as it is to eat. The ube’s gorgeous purple hue isn’t just for show—it adds a unique earthiness and moist texture that makes these cookies irresistibly tender and packed with flavor. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just need a sweet pick-me-up, this recipe has you covered with every delicious detail.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe uses simple, straightforward ingredients that are easy to find but absolutely essential to get that perfect balance of taste, texture, and eye-catching color. Each component plays a vital role—flour provides the structure, butter lends richness and softness, while the ube halaya and extract bring that signature purple flavor and vibrancy. White chocolate chunks melt into pockets of creamy sweetness throughout, creating a truly comforting cookie experience.
- 160 g all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together and gives the cookie its classic texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds a light, airy lift complementing the baking powder.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavor depth and balances sweetness effectively.
- 115 g unsalted butter (softened): Adds moistness and buttery richness for soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- 100 g granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough without overpowering the ube.
- 1 large egg (room temperature): Binds ingredients and adds moisture for tender cookies.
- 75 g ube halaya: The star purple yam jam that imparts vibrant color and a subtle, earthy sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon ube extract: Amplifies the ube flavor and deepens the purple hue beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
- 100 g white chocolate (roughly chopped + extra for topping): Adds creamy pockets of sweetness and a lovely contrast to the ube’s earthiness.
How to Make Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining these first guarantees an even distribution of leavening agents, which is key for perfectly risen cookies with a delicate crumb.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the softened butter until very creamy, then add the granulated sugar. Continue beating on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—this step is crucial to create a tender, airy cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Egg and Flavorings
Mix in the egg until fully incorporated, followed by the ube halaya, ube extract, and vanilla extract. Stir well until the dough turns a gorgeous purple shade and all flavors meld together nicely.
Step 5: Combine Flour Mixture and Add White Chocolate
Fold the flour mixture gently into the wet ingredients using a spatula until almost combined. Then, fold in the chopped white chocolate, distributing it evenly to get pockets of sweet creaminess throughout the cookie dough.
Step 6: Scoop and Arrange
Use a 4-tablespoon ice cream scooper to portion the cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each ball about 2 inches apart. This spacing gives the cookies room to spread slightly and bake uniformly.
Step 7: Bake and Top
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Around 2 minutes before they’re done, press a few extra white chocolate pieces on top of each cookie for a melty, attractive finish. This step is optional but adds a lovely touch.
Step 8: Shape and Cool
Right after pulling the cookies from the oven, you can gently swirl each cookie inside a slightly larger round cutter or bowl to shape them into perfect circles—another optional step to make your cookies look bakery-worthy. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or enjoying them while warm.
How to Serve Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra burst of color and texture, sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes or edible flower petals over your cookies. These delicate garnishes complement the natural sweetness of ube and the creamy white chocolate beautifully, making your treats even more eye-catching and special.
Side Dishes
This cookie pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, like jasmine or earl grey, which contrast the sweetness and accentuate the unique ube flavor. A glass of cold milk or a subtle ube latte would also elevate your cookie experience for any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking a few cookies with a dollop of whipped cream or ube ice cream in between for an easy and impressive dessert sandwich. You can also serve them in decorative tins or wrap them individually for gifting—these cookies are as delightful to share as to savor yourself.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed prevents them from drying out, preserving that perfect soft texture you love.
Freezing
The cookie dough can be frozen before baking—simply portion, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and pop into a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed as usual. Alternatively, baked cookies freeze well too; just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your cookies warm after storing, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and melty white chocolate pockets, making every bite feel freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya in the Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute ube powder if you prefer, but you’ll want to add some moisture like milk or butter to compensate since ube halaya is a jam-like consistency. Adjust the amounts carefully to maintain the right dough texture and flavor.
Is it necessary to use both ube halaya and ube extract?
While you can use just one, combining both intensifies the authentic ube flavor and deepens the purple color, making the cookies both tastier and more vibrant. It’s a little trick that brings the best out of this recipe.
Can I substitute white chocolate with regular chocolate or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Dark or milk chocolate chips are delicious alternatives, and you could even try macadamia nuts or shredded coconut for added texture. Just keep in mind these changes will slightly alter the flavor profile.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much while baking?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, as overly soft butter can cause excessive spreading. Also, chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can help control the spread and keep your cookies beautifully thick.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Not in the original recipe, since all-purpose flour is used. However, you could experiment with a gluten-free flour blend that has similar protein content, keeping in mind you may need to adjust moisture levels to get perfectly chewy cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about baking Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe at home—the vibrant color, the comforting aroma, and the perfect balance of sweet and earthy flavors all come together to make a cookie that’s guaranteed to brighten your day. I promise, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a favorite to bake and share. So grab your ingredients, embrace that lovely purple hue, and get ready to fill your kitchen with warm, cozy goodness that everyone will adore.
Print
Ube Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Delightfully soft and chewy Ube Cookies infused with the vibrant flavor of ube halaya and ube extract, complemented by chunks of creamy white chocolate. These purple-hued cookies are perfect for dessert or an afternoon treat, offering a unique twist on classic cookies with a tropical Filipino flair.
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings (about 10 cookies)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 160 g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 75 g ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1/2 teaspoon ube extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional
- 100 g white chocolate, roughly chopped plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking. Set the prepared baking sheet aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir these ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter until it becomes very creamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to cream on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the egg and mix until just combined.
- Add Ube Flavors: Incorporate the ube halaya, ube extract, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until the batter turns a vibrant purple color, indicating full incorporation of the ube flavor.
- Combine Mixtures and Add Chocolate: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Fold the mixture gently using a spatula until it is almost combined. Add the roughly chopped white chocolate and continue folding until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Scoop Cookies: Use a 4-tablespoon ice cream scooper to portion the cookie dough. Drop each ball of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake and Add Toppings: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. About two minutes before the end of baking, optionally press a few extra pieces of white chocolate on top of each cookie for added sweetness and visual appeal.
- Shape and Cool: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, optionally swirl each cookie within a round cutter or bowl slightly larger than the cookie to perfect their shape. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling or enjoy warm.
Notes
- Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Ube halaya can be found at Asian grocery stores or made at home from purple yam.
- Pressing white chocolate pieces before baking ends enhances melting and flavor.
- Swirling cookies in a cutter after baking helps achieve uniform, round shapes but is optional.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For a stronger ube flavor, increase ube extract up to 1 teaspoon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
