Made with Ube Halaya these Ube Brownies are the richest, most delicious homemade purple brownies you’ll ever try. They’re chewy, buttery, and easy to make. The best part is that you don’t need a fancy mixer and they’re made in only 1 bowl! I will share with you very helpful tips in this post.
Check out my obsession with ube recipes just like my ube maja blanca, ube cheese pandesal, ube puto, ube cookies, and ube crinkles! I use my homemade ube halaya to flavor this dessert instead of plain mashed ube since it has a bigger flavor.
I love how my ube brownie recipe is straightforward but Sally's baking addiction has her own fudgy chocolate brownies also. And have you checked Joanne's ube butter mochi which uses ube and short-grain sweet rice flour that yields chewy desserts? You get the point, right? I love all kinds of brownies and ube-flavored recipes!
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Check out my obsession with ube recipes just like my ube maja blanca, ube cheese pandesal, ube puto, ube cookies, and ube crinkles!
Ingredients
- Ube Jam (Ube Halaya) - The star of the show that gives these brownies their distinctive color but also imparts a unique earthy sweetness. You can substitute ube jam with mashed ube with the same measurement but the ube jam has a richer and sweeter flavor profile.
- Ube Extract - Ube extract can add more ube flavor and a deep purple hue to this brownie. You can buy this online or at your Asian grocery stores.
- Butter and Sugar - A classic combination that forms the base of brownie batter, creating a rich and indulgent texture. Use unsalted butter for more accuracy. Also, sugar does much more than sweeten the brownies. It liquefies as they bake, creating a softer center.
- Eggs - They contribute to the structure of the brownies and enhance their overall flavor profile.
- All-purpose Flour - The more flour in brownies, the more cakier they will taste. We want dense and fudgy brownies, so use as little flour as possible.
- Baking Powder - To slightly lift the brownies up. You can skip baking powder but your brownies will be flat.
- Salt - A pinch of salt can balance the sweetness and enhance the depth of flavors in the brownies.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F or 175°C and grease your baking pan. You can line your brownie pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished brownies out. Set aside.
- In a bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the ube halaya, ube extract, and eggs. Stir well until well combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting your dry ingredients will eliminate lumps.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. You’ll get a taste of how dense these brownies are when you’re mixing up the batter. It’s so thick and so fudgy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared 9x9-inch pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Pro Tip: To determine the doneness of these brownies, set a timer for 30 minutes right when the brownies enter the oven. Once you smell the aroma of ube begins to waft through the kitchen, it's time to check the brownies, even if it's only been 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center, and pull it out. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, the brownies require a few more minutes of baking time. However, if there are just a few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick, that's the signal that the brownies are perfectly done.
Storage Tips
These fudgy ube brownies will stay fresh and moist for a few days if stored properly. You can slice them first and transfer them into a glass container with a lid. Store your leftovers on the countertop for up to 3 days.
You can refrigerate them but bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture. To keep it longer, you can freeze them individually in a freezer-friendly bag or container. Leave them on the countertop for a few hours until they are at room temperature to serve.
Helpful Tips
- Consider adding toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of ube glaze to make the brownies more festive for special occasions.
- Consider adding a bit more mashed ube, ube halaya, or ube extract to intensify the flavor. Adjust the quantity according to your preferences.
- If you want a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe.
- Do not overcook this brownie, otherwise, it is dry and tough. Start to check your baked goods using a toothpick inserted in the middle once you smell the aroma coming from your oven. It should come out with a few crumbs.
- For a more fudgy texture, bake your brownies for a shorter period of time. Check it at the 18-minute mark.
Questions and Answers
Standard 9x9-inch baking pan is suitable for this recipe. However, you can use a different size, adjusting the baking time accordingly.
Absolutely! Spoonfuls of additional ube batter can be swirled into the brownie batter before baking for a visually appealing marbled effect.
Of course! If you are using pre-mashed frozen ube for this recipe, thaw them first and incorporate them it your brownie batter.
You can substitute the butter with coconut oil. However, the taste is slightly different and it adds subtle coconut flavor to your ube brownies. You can also use a cooking oil with the same measurement as butter.
The difference between ube halaya and mashed ube is the flavor. Ube halaya is made with mashed ube, coconut milk, condensed milk, and sugar. Ube halaya is richer, sweeter, and more flavorful with all the added ingredients. On the other hand, mashed ube has an earthy essence and a slightly nutty taste.
Growing Ube
In the Philippines, my father grew an ube in our backyard. He grew it from the bulbil which is a small ube root that grows in a vine, they grow vigorously and climb all over our fence. After 2 or more years in a sunny spot, the ube is ready to harvest.
Since they are a root crop, they require well-drain soil to prevent rotting issues. The roots will be easier to grow on loose soil that is free from debris. Don't forget to feed the ube plant with compost and water them when the soil is dry.
About Ube
Ube is a vibrant purple color, and its flavor is sweet and mildly nutty. The term "ube" is often used to refer specifically to the purple-fleshed variety of yam and is commonly used in a variety of traditional Filipino desserts and dishes, such as ube halaya jam, ube pudding, ube ice cream, ube bread, and even ube brownies.
It has a distinct and sweet flavor with a subtle nutty undertone taste. The taste is often described as a combination of vanilla and sweet potato with its own unique profile that sets it apart. It is milder than regular sweet potatoes, and it is known for its delightful, slightly earthy essence.
Ube has gained popularity beyond the Philippines and Southeast Asian recipes and can often be found in Asian grocery stores or specialty markets around the world. Everything you make with ube is delicious. You should try some of my recipes.
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Easy Ube Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup ube halaya
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon ube extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C and grease your brownie pan.
- Melt your butter in the microwave. Combine ube halaya, ube extract, melted butter, and eggs in a bowl. Stir until everything is well blended.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar.
- Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients gradually. Don't overmix your batter.
- Pour your batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Allow the ube brownies to cool completely before cutting them into squares.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- Sift your dry ingredients to avoid lumps.
- Consider adding toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, white chocolate, or a drizzle of ube glaze to make the brownies more festive for special occasions.
- Consider adding a bit more mashed ube, ube halaya, or ube extract to intensify the flavor. Adjust the quantity according to your preferences.
- If you want a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe.
- Do not overcook this brownie, otherwise, it is dry and tough. Start to check your baked goods using a toothpick inserted in the middle once you smell the aroma coming from your oven. It should come out with a few crumbs.
Mary
Your recipe is very detailed! I love this and can’t wait to give it a try 🤗
Jomelyn
Let me know if you like it. And it is freezer-friendly. I made extra batch and I grab a slice for my morning coffee.
Tagan
These brownies were absolutely delicious! Tita approved! The recipe was straight forward as well. Will make again and again.
Jomelyn
Thank you! I am glad Tita approved it, you should be proud of yourself 😉
Anonymous
Size of Pan use.. Please..
Thank you