3 Irresistible Recipe Ideas with Ube Powder: The Complete Guide

Ube, this purple tuber with sweet, vanilla-like notes, is taking the culinary world by storm with its vibrant color and unique taste. If you’re looking for recipe ideas with ube powder, you’re in the right place! Discover how to turn this magical powder into spectacular desserts that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds.

What is Ube Powder and Why Use It?

Ube powder is made from dehydrated Philippine purple yam ground into a fine powder. This natural purple powder offers a mild flavor reminiscent of hazelnut and vanilla, with an incomparably creamy texture. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, it not only brings vibrant color to your creations, but also nutritional benefits.

Benefits of Cooking with Ube Powder:

• Natural color: No artificial coloring needed
• Long shelf life: More convenient than fresh ube
• Versatility: Easily blends into a variety of recipes
• Unique flavor: Impossible to replicate with other ingredients

Recipe #1: No-Bake Ube Cheesecake

Ingredients

For the biscuit base:

• 200 g Graham crackers or Petit Beurre biscuits
• 80g melted butter
• 2 tablespoons ube powder

For the topping:

• Skin, mouth, and digestion
• 300ml of full-fat liquid cream
• 120g caster sugar
• 60g of ube powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 12g powdered gelatin
• 60ml of hot water

Detailed Instructions

1. Preparing the base: Finely crush the cookies in a food processor. Mix with the melted butter and ube powder until you get a sandy texture. Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. The organic butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea), also called Blue Matcha, revolutionizes natural infusions with its captivating blue color and virtues...

3. Filling preparation: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and ube powder, beating constantly to avoid lumps.

4. Whipping the cream: In another bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Stir the vanilla extract and dissolved gelatin into the cheese mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream in three additions.

5. Final assembly: Pour the topping over the biscuit base. Smooth the surface with a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

Pro Tips:

• Use cream cheese at room temperature to avoid lumps
• Sift the ube powder for a smoother texture
• Decorate with whipped cream tinted with ube and coconut flakes

Recipe No. 2: Homemade Ube Mochi

Ingredients

For the mochi dough:

• 200g of glutinous rice flour (mochiko)
• 50 g ube powder
• 350ml of water
• 150g of sugar
• Cornstarch for dusting

For the topping:

• 200g sweetened red bean paste (anko)
• Or 200g of vanilla ice cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Filling preparation: If using ice cream, shape 8 scoops with an ice cream scoop and freeze them on a tray. For the anko, divide into 8 portions and roll into balls.

2. Cooking the dough: In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour, ube powder, and sugar. Gradually add the water, stirring to avoid lumps. Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes.

3. Microwave step: Cook for 2 minutes at full power. Remove, stir vigorously, then cook for another 2 minutes. The dough should be translucent and elastic.

4. Shaping the mochis: On a work surface generously dusted with starch, roll out the hot dough. Divide into 8 portions. Flatten each portion, place the filling in the center and seal by pinching the edges together.

5. Finishing: Gently roll each mochi between your palms to form a perfect ball. Dust lightly with starch to keep them from sticking.

Tips for Success:

• Work quickly as the dough hardens when it cools
• Use oiled plastic gloves to handle the dough
• Mochis keep for 2 days at room temperature in an airtight box

Recipe No. 3: Creamy Ube Latte

Ingredients

For the ube syrup:

• 100 ml water
• 100 g sugar
• 3 tablespoons of ube powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the latte:

• 60ml strong espresso or 2 teaspoons instant coffee in 60ml hot water
• 250 ml whole milk (or oat milk for a vegan version)
• 2–3 tablespoons ube syrup
• Ice cubes (for the iced version)
• Whipped cream for topping (optional)

Detailed Preparation

1. Syrup preparation: In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and ube powder. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat, add vanilla. Let cool completely.

2. Hot version: Prepare your espresso. In a saucepan, heat the milk without boiling. Add 2-3 tablespoons of ube syrup and whisk vigorously. Pour the flavored milk into a cup, then gently add the espresso to create a marbled effect.

3. Iced version: In a glass, mix the cooled espresso with the ube syrup. Fill with ice cubes. In a shaker or Mason jar, shake the cold milk vigorously to create foam. Pour over the ice.

4. Finishing Touch: Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of ube syrup. For an Instagram-worthy look, sprinkle a little ube powder over the cream.

Creative Variations:

• Ube Matcha Latte: Replace the coffee with matcha tea
• Ube Chai Latte: Infuse the milk with chai spices
• Ube Frappé: Blend all the ingredients with crushed ice

Tips for Cooking with Ube Powder

Storage and Shelf Life

• Store ube powder in an airtight container, away from light and moisture
• It keeps for up to 2 years if stored properly
• Once opened, use it within 6 months for optimal flavor

Dosage and Usage

• Intense color: 2–3 tablespoons for 500g of mixture
• Pronounced flavor: 4–5 tablespoons for 500 g
• Always sift the powder before use to avoid lumps
• Can replace 10–15% of the flour in baking recipes

Delicious Pairings

Ube powder pairs perfectly with:

• Coconut: For a tropical twist
• Vanilla: Enhances the sweet notes
• White chocolate: Creates a stunning color contrast
• Matcha: For a duo of colorful superfoods

Frequently Asked Questions About Ube Powder

Where to Buy Quality Ube Powder

At Pure Tea, we offer two premium varieties of ube powder for your culinary creations:

• Pure Ube: Our organic ube powder comes straight from the Philippines, selected for its outstanding quality and vibrant color. Perfect for bringing the authentic taste of ube to all your recipes.

• Pure Ube Vanilla: An exclusive creation that combines the sweetness of organic Filipino ube with the richness of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. This sublime pairing adds an extra aromatic dimension to your desserts and drinks.

Both of these varieties are ideal for making the recipes featured in this article. Organic quality guarantees a pure powder, free from additives, for healthy and delicious creations.

Is Ube Powder Gluten-Free?

Yes, pure ube powder is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for people who are intolerant or sensitive to gluten.

Can Ube Powder Be Replaced with Something Else?

Although no substitute can perfectly reproduce ube’s unique flavor, you can use purple sweet potato powder for the color, adding a bit of vanilla and coconut extract to approximate the taste.

Conclusion: Ube, Your New Favorite Ingredient

These ube powder recipe ideas are just the beginning of your purple culinary adventure! Whether you go for the creamy cheesecake, chewy mochi, or comforting latte, ube powder will turn your ordinary creations into edible works of art.

Feel free to experiment with this versatile ingredient: add it to your Sunday pancakes, stir it into your smoothie bowls, or create spectacular homemade ice creams. The only limit is your imagination!

Share your creations on social media with #RecettesUbe and inspire other food lovers to discover the magic of this purple tuber. Enjoy, and have fun in the kitchen!