Description
A classic Filipino dessert, this ube cake is made with real purple yam (ube halaya), layered with fluffy meringue-based sponge, and topped with silky Swiss meringue buttercream.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 ½ cups cake flour, sifted
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ube extract
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup milk, room temperature
8 egg yolks, room temperature
⅓ cup granulated sugar
½ cup ube jam (halaya), room temperature
8 egg whites, room temperature
1 tsp cream of tartar
¾ cup granulated sugar
For the Ube Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
5 egg whites
1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
Pinch of salt
2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into chunks
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Ube extract, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8-inch round pans with parchment paper.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine ube extract, oil, and milk. Set aside.
4. Beat egg yolks with ⅓ cup sugar until pale and thick (about 7 minutes).
5. Mix in ube jam until smooth.
6. Alternately fold in flour mixture and milk mixture to the yolks, beginning and ending with flour. Do not overmix.
7. In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add ¾ cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
8. Fold meringue gently into the batter in batches until well combined.
9. Divide batter into prepared pans. Bake for 20–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Cool cakes upside down on a rack.
11. For the Buttercream:
12. Place egg whites, sugar, and salt in a heatproof mixer bowl over simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar dissolves (about 140°F).
13. Transfer to stand mixer. Whip until stiff peaks form and bowl is cool.
14. Gradually add butter, one piece at a time, mixing until incorporated.
15. Add vanilla and ube extract. Whip until smooth and glossy.
16. Assembling the Cake:
17. Trim cake layers if needed.
18. Spread or pipe frosting between layers and over the top and sides.
19. Chill before serving for clean slices.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients to avoid curdling and improve texture.
Don’t skip ube extract—it’s key for flavor and color.
If buttercream curdles or looks soupy, chill for 15 minutes and re-whip.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 109mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 89mg