10 Purple Yam Dessert Recipes You Need to Make Today

Purple yam, known as ube in Filipino cuisine, brings stunning color and unique flavor to desserts. This vibrant root vegetable creates treats that taste as amazing as they look.

From creamy panna cotta to fluffy bread rolls, these purple yam recipes will transform your kitchen into a colorful bakery paradise.

01. Filipino Purple Yam Spread

A traditional Filipino sweet treat called halayang ube that’s perfect on toast or eaten straight. This creamy purple spread delivers authentic island flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients: 2 cups cooked purple yam (mashed), 1 cup coconut milk, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt.

How To Make Filipino Purple Yam Spread

1. Combine mashed purple yam and coconut milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent sticking and ensure smooth consistency throughout the cooking process.

2. Add sugar gradually while stirring continuously for about 5 minutes until completely dissolved. The mixture will start to thicken and develop a glossy appearance as the sugar incorporates.

3. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently. The jam is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and coats the back of a spoon.

4. Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and salt until completely smooth. Pour into sterilized jars and cool completely before refrigerating for up to two weeks.

02. Creamy Purple Yam Panna Cotta

Silky Italian dessert transformed with purple yam’s natural sweetness and stunning color. This elegant treat has a surprisingly light texture that melts beautifully on your tongue.

Ingredients: 1 packet unflavored gelatin, ¼ cup cold water, 1 cup heavy cream, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup purple yam puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Creamy Purple Yam Panna Cotta

1. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small bowl and let bloom for 5 minutes until it becomes spongy. This step ensures the gelatin dissolves completely without creating lumps in your final dessert.

2. Heat cream and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Don’t let the mixture boil, just heat until steam begins to rise from the surface.

3. Remove from heat and whisk in bloomed gelatin until completely dissolved. Add purple yam puree and vanilla, whisking vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and evenly colored.

4. Strain mixture through fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Divide among six ramekins and refrigerate for at least 4 hours until set. Run a knife around edges before unmolding to serve.

03. Nutritious Purple Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Whole wheat dinner rolls enhanced with mashed purple sweet potatoes for extra nutrition and flavor. These colorful rolls make any meal feel special and festive.

Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup mashed purple sweet potato, ¾ cup warm milk, 1 packet active dry yeast, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons butter (melted), 1 teaspoon salt.

How To Make Nutritious Purple Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with honey and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. This proves your yeast is active and will create light, fluffy rolls with proper rise.

2. Mix flour and salt in a large bowl, then add yeast mixture, mashed sweet potato, and melted butter. Stir until a soft dough forms, adding more flour if needed to prevent sticking.

3. Knead dough on floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The purple color will become more vibrant as you work the dough and develop the gluten structure.

4. Place in greased bowl, cover, and rise for 1 hour until doubled. Shape into 12 rolls, place on baking sheet, and rise 30 minutes more before baking at 375°F for 18-20 minutes until golden.

04. Traditional Purple Sweet Potato Moon Cakes

Chinese-style pastries filled with naturally sweet purple sweet potato filling. These gorgeous cakes showcase glutinous rice flour’s unique chewy texture perfectly.

Ingredients: 1½ cups glutinous rice flour, ½ cup warm water, 2 cups mashed purple sweet potato, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Traditional Purple Sweet Potato Moon Cakes

1. Combine mashed sweet potato, sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla in a pan over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and pulls away from sides easily.

2. Mix glutinous rice flour with warm water until smooth dough forms. The dough should be pliable but not sticky. Add more flour or water as needed to achieve proper consistency.

3. Divide dough into 12 portions and roll each into circles. Place 2 tablespoons filling in center of each circle, then gather edges and seal completely to prevent filling from leaking during cooking.

4. Shape sealed balls into flat cakes about ½ inch thick. Pan-fry in lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through completely.

05. One-Bowl Purple Yam Sugar Cookies

Vibrant purple cookies with distinct ube flavor that won’t overwhelm your taste buds. These simple treats come together in one bowl for easy cleanup.

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup purple yam powder, ¾ cup butter (softened), ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt.

How To Make One-Bowl Purple Yam Sugar Cookies

1. Cream softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with electric mixer. This creates the perfect tender texture for your finished cookies.

2. Beat in egg and vanilla extract until completely combined. The mixture should be smooth without any streaks of egg visible throughout the cookie dough.

3. Whisk together flour, purple yam powder, baking powder, and salt in the same bowl. Mix just until dough comes together without overworking, which can make cookies tough.

4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten slightly with fork and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft.

06. Crispy Air-Fried Purple Yam Sticks

Savory purple yam fries with creamy sriracha dipping sauce for perfect balance. These healthy alternatives to regular fries showcase ube’s versatility beyond desserts.

Ingredients: 2 large purple yams, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice.

How To Make Crispy Air-Fried Purple Yam Sticks

1. Peel purple yams and cut into ½-inch thick fries, keeping pieces uniform for even cooking. Soak cut yams in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch and improve crispiness.

2. Pat yam fries completely dry with paper towels, then toss with olive oil and salt until evenly coated. Proper drying is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy exterior texture.

3. Arrange in single layer in air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook at 380°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking basket every 5 minutes to ensure even browning on all sides.

4. While fries cook, whisk together sour cream, sriracha, and lime juice for dipping sauce. Serve fries immediately while hot and crispy with the cooling sauce alongside for dipping.

07. Vanilla Purple Yam Milkshake

Classic vanilla milkshake elevated with cooked purple yam cubes for extra flavor and color. This creamy treat transforms an ordinary shake into something extraordinary.

Ingredients: 2 cups vanilla ice cream, ½ cup cooked purple yam (cubed), ½ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, whipped cream for topping.

How To Make Vanilla Purple Yam Milkshake

1. Cook purple yam cubes in boiling water for 15 minutes until fork-tender, then drain and cool completely. This ensures smooth blending without any gritty texture in your finished milkshake.

2. Combine cooled yam cubes, vanilla ice cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in blender. Start with less milk and add more gradually to reach your preferred consistency.

3. Blend on high speed for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. The mixture should be thick enough to coat a spoon but thin enough to drink through a straw.

4. Pour into tall glasses and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately with wide straws for best experience, as the shake will thicken as it sits at room temperature.

08. Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potato Coconut Cream Pie

Tropical pie featuring purple sweet potato filling topped with coconut haupia cream layer. This island-inspired dessert combines multiple textures and flavors in every bite.

Ingredients: 1 pre-baked pie crust, 2 cups mashed purple sweet potato, 1 can coconut milk, ½ cup sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, ½ cup shredded coconut, 2 large eggs.

How To Make Hawaiian Purple Sweet Potato Coconut Cream Pie

1. Whisk together mashed sweet potato, half the coconut milk, ¼ cup sugar, and eggs until smooth. Pour into pre-baked crust and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until center is just set.

2. For haupia layer, combine remaining coconut milk, remaining sugar, and cornstarch in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens to pudding consistency, about 8 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and stir in shredded coconut for added texture and authentic Hawaiian flavor. Let cool for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent skin from forming on surface.

4. Pour haupia mixture over cooled sweet potato layer, spreading evenly to edges. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until completely set before slicing. Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.

09. Soft Purple Yam Breakfast Rolls

Filipino pandesal bread rolls infused with purple yam flavor for colorful morning treats. These soft rolls pair perfectly with coffee or hot chocolate.

Ingredients: 3 cups bread flour, ½ cup purple yam puree, 1 cup warm milk, 1 packet active dry yeast, ¼ cup sugar, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt, breadcrumbs for coating.

How To Make Soft Purple Yam Breakfast Rolls

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar and let foam for 5 minutes. This activates the yeast and ensures your rolls will rise properly during both proofing stages.

2. Mix flour, remaining sugar, and salt in large bowl. Add yeast mixture, purple yam puree, and softened butter, stirring until soft dough forms that pulls away from bowl sides.

3. Knead on floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and rise for 1 hour until doubled in size in warm, draft-free location.

4. Divide dough into 16 pieces and shape into ovals. Roll each in breadcrumbs and place on baking sheets. Rise 45 minutes more, then bake at 375°F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

10. Layered Ube Macapuno Celebration Cake

Filipino-inspired layer cake featuring purple yam and macapuno coconut for authentic island flavors. This impressive dessert works beautifully for special occasions and celebrations.

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup purple yam puree, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup butter, 3 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 jar macapuno coconut, 2 cups heavy cream.

How To Make Layered Ube Macapuno Celebration Cake

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in purple yam puree until evenly distributed throughout the batter for consistent color and flavor.

2. Combine flour and baking powder, then alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until combined to avoid tough cake texture.

3. Divide batter between two greased 9-inch pans and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

4. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks and fold in half the macapuno coconut. Layer cake with whipped cream mixture and remaining macapuno between layers and on top for authentic Filipino presentation.

Final Thoughts

These purple yam recipes showcase the incredible versatility of this vibrant ingredient beyond traditional Filipino desserts. From breakfast rolls to elegant panna cotta, ube transforms ordinary treats into extraordinary creations.

Start with the simple milkshake or cookies, then work your way up to the impressive layer cake for special celebrations.