Ube recipe · Filipino classics
Ube Halaya Recipe with Ube Powder (Ube Jam)
The Filipino classic: a thick, creamy ube jam — made in 30 minutes with ube powder.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook / chill
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Serves
- 8 servings
Ube halaya (also called ube jam) is where every Filipino ube dessert begins: a thick, creamy purple spread cooked low and slow with coconut milk, condensed milk and butter. This ube halaya recipe uses ube powder, so it is ready in about 30 minutes.
Ube halaya ingredients
You only need six: Kapsoo ube powder, water, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, butter and a pinch of salt. Traditional halaya uses grated fresh ube and takes hours; ube powder gives the same rich flavor in a fraction of the time.
How to use ube halaya
Spread it on toast or pandesal, use it as a filling for cakes and pastries, swirl it into ube ice cream or layer it in ube tiramisu.
Instructions
Step 1
Mix the ube powder with the water in a small bowl until a smooth, lump-free paste forms.
Step 2
In a non-stick pan over medium-low heat, combine the coconut milk and condensed milk.
Step 3
Add the ube paste, butter and salt. Stir continuously.
Step 4
Cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Step 5
Transfer to a greased jar or mold, let cool, then refrigerate. It firms up as it chills.
Tips & variations
- Keep stirring: halaya catches on the bottom of the pan easily.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to 1 week.
- Use it as a filling for ube crinkles, brownies, ensaymada or pandesal.
Ube Halaya with Ube Powder: FAQ
What is ube halaya?
A traditional Filipino ube jam made by cooking purple yam with coconut milk, condensed milk and butter until thick.
Can you make ube halaya with ube powder?
Yes. Rehydrate 4 tbsp ube powder with 6 tbsp water, then cook it with coconut milk, condensed milk and butter for 20 to 25 minutes.
How do I know when ube halaya is done?
It is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan as you stir.
How long does ube halaya last?
Up to 1 week in the fridge in an airtight jar, or 3 months in the freezer.
