Ube Crinkle Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Purple Filipino Treat
💜🍪 Introduction: The Origins and Popularity of Ube Crinkle Cookies
From Filipino Tradition to Global Treat
The vibrant purple hue of ube crinkle cookies isn’t just for looks—it tells a story of heritage, flavor, and evolution. Ube, also known as purple yam, has been a foundational ingredient in Filipino kitchens for generations. Traditionally featured in sweets like ube halaya, this naturally sweet root is prized for its creamy texture and nutty-vanilla flavor, making it perfect for baked goods.
In the Philippines, ube desserts symbolize comfort and festivity, often appearing during holidays and family gatherings. As the love for ube cookies spread globally, bakers around the world began incorporating this vivid ingredient into eye-catching recipes, including the now-famous ube crinkle cookies. Their striking color, paired with a chewy bite and sugary crackled crust, makes them both nostalgic and trendy.
Today, thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the #ube hashtag has helped launch this humble ingredient into dessert stardom. These chewy purple treats have become viral-worthy favorites for their unique look and addictive taste.
A Cookie Born from Innovation and Nostalgia
The journey from traditional ube halaya to these soft, sugar-coated ube crinkle cookies reflects a fusion of cultures. Inspired by American chocolate crinkle cookies, this Filipino twist uses ube to create a chewy interior wrapped in a powdered sugar shell. The result is a colorful cookie that’s both comforting and modern.
Now, ube crinkle cookies are enjoyed by dessert lovers across the globe. Some of the top countries where these Filipino cookies are especially loved include:
- 🇵🇭 Philippines
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
- 🇲🇾 Malaysia
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
- 🇩🇪 Germany
Whether you’re baking for tradition, aesthetics, or just a sweet craving, this ube crinkle cookie recipe offers a chewy, flavorful, and visually striking dessert experience that connects cultures and generations.
🥄 Looking for more creative, colorful desserts? Try my Cannoli-Inspired Overnight Oats—a fun fusion recipe packed with flavor and flair.
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17 Irresistible Reasons You’ll Love These Ube Crinkle Cookies (Filipino Favorite!)
- Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Discover how to make the best soft and chewy ube crinkle cookies using ube halaya or extract, with gluten-free options and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ube extract
- ½ cup ube halaya (ube jam)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Ube Flavors
- Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, ube extract, and ube halaya until fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until no flour remains.
- Chill the Dough
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best crinkles.
- Roll & Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. First coat with granulated sugar, then roll in powdered sugar generously.
- Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 11–13 minutes. Let cool on rack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 4 hours chill)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino-American
What You’ll Need 🍠🧁
Essential Baking Equipment 🔧
To make perfect Filipino crinkle cookies, you don’t need a professional kitchen—just a few trusted tools:
- Mixing bowls – At least two: one for wet and one for dry ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons – Accurate measurements ensure consistency.
- Baking sheet – Use a heavy-duty one for even baking.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – Prevents sticking and promotes even browning.
- Whisk or electric mixer – For beating eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Cookie scoop (optional) – Helps you portion the dough evenly for uniform, bakery-style cookies.
🧑🍳 Pro Tip: If you want perfectly round, chewy ube cookies, a medium-size cookie scoop is a worthwhile investment.
Key Ingredients Breakdown 🌾🥚
The heart of this ube crinkle cookie recipe lies in the balance between flavor and texture. Here’s what makes it work:
- Ube halaya or ube extract –
- Ube halaya: Pre-sweetened and adds moisture and authentic texture.
- Ube extract: More concentrated in flavor and color—perfect when you want visual impact without added moisture.
- All-purpose flour – Base of the dough; you can also use 1:1 gluten-free flour for a gluten-free ube cookie version.
- Baking powder – Gives the cookies a light lift and soft interior.
- Salt – Just a pinch balances the sweetness.
- Eggs – Bind the dough and help it rise.
- Granulated sugar – Provides sweetness and helps create a crinkled top.
- Powdered sugar – For rolling the cookie dough and forming those classic, craggy crinkles.
🥥 Flavor Note: Want a more tropical vibe? Add shredded coconut or a drop of pandan extract to enhance the Filipino flavor base.
Pro Tips Before You Bake 💡
- Substitute fresh ube by boiling and mashing, then adding sugar and condensed milk to create a halaya-like base.
- Chill the dough for 2+ hours to ensure clean crinkles and prevent spreading.
- Avoid overmixing once dry ingredients are added—this keeps the texture soft and chewy.
🍪 Want more ube-based treats? Check out our High-Fiber Apple Cranberry Baked Oats for a fiber-packed, colorful breakfast that blends flavor and nutrition.
📝💜 Ingredients List for Ube Crinkle Cookies
When it comes to ube crinkle cookies, bold flavor and that signature crackled look come from a well-balanced blend of ingredients. This easy-to-follow ube crinkle cookie recipe uses pantry staples, with a few essential Filipino ingredients to bring that vibrant purple color and rich ube flavor to life. Whether you’re making these for the holidays or a weekday sweet fix, these ingredients will help you achieve the perfect texture—soft, chewy, and powdered-sugar coated with every bite.
🧁 Main Ingredients
- 1 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or 1 tablespoon ube extract
(If using extract only, increase sugar slightly and add ¼ cup neutral oil for extra moisture and softness.) - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
(Swap with gluten-free 1:1 baking flour for gluten-free ube cookies.) - ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling before baking)
🍠 Ingredient Insight: Ube Halaya vs. Ube Extract
What makes these Filipino ube crinkle cookies truly special is the ube halaya—a sweet purple yam jam that adds moisture, richness, and a mild earthy sweetness. It’s the heart of many traditional ube dessert recipes. If you’re short on halaya, ube extract offers a concentrated flavor with a bold purple hue, ideal for that classic crinkle cookie look. Just remember to adjust sugar and fat content accordingly for the best results.
💬 Pro Tip: Upgrade Your Ube Cookie Game
Want to level up your ube cookies? Try sandwiching your ube crinkle cookies with a swirl of ube buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. These variations make your crinkle cookies feel gourmet—perfect for gifting or special occasions.
For more sweet inspiration, check out my creamy and chilled Icebox Cake Magic — a dessert that’s just as eye-catching and addictive!
Instructions: Step-by-Step Ube Crinkle Cookie Recipe 👩🍳🍪
These chewy ube crinkle cookies are simple to make but deliver big flavor and Instagram-worthy visuals. Follow this easy method to achieve those signature cracks and soft centers.
1. Prepare the Dough 🥄
- In a large bowl, beat 2 eggs and ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Mix in 1 cup ube halaya or 1 tbsp ube extract. If using extract, add ¼ cup neutral oil to maintain softness.
- In a separate bowl, sift together 1½ cups flour, ½ tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
💡 Tip: The dough should be sticky and soft—this helps create those chewy ube cookie cracks.
2. Chill and Roll ❄️
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight). This step is crucial to prevent spreading and to create that classic crinkle look.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Scoop chilled dough into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop or spoon.
- Roll each ball in ½ cup powdered sugar until fully coated.
🧊 Why chill? Cold dough holds its shape better and forms defined cracks as it bakes.
3. Bake and Cool 🔥
- Place sugar-coated cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the cookies are puffed and crinkles appear. Centers should still be slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🍪 Texture Tip: Slight underbaking keeps the cookies moist and chewy in the center—just like a perfect crinkle should be.
🔗 Want more chewy treats? Try our Snickerdoodle Blondies—warm, cinnamon-packed, and just as cravable.
👩🍳🍪 Instructions: Step-by-Step Ube Crinkle Cookie Recipe
These chewy ube crinkle cookies are simple to make but deliver huge flavor and show-stopping visuals. With their signature powdered sugar coating and crackly tops, these cookies are a hit at every gathering. Follow this detailed, step-by-step ube crinkle cookie recipe to ensure each bite is moist, chewy, and irresistibly sweet.
🥄 1. Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together 2 large eggs and ¾ cup granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture turns light and fluffy — about 2 to 3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.
Next, stir in 1 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or 1 tablespoon ube extract. If using only extract, don’t forget to add ¼ cup neutral oil like vegetable or canola to preserve that soft, chewy texture. This blend of ingredients is what gives ube crinkle cookies their rich flavor and vibrant purple hue.
In another bowl, sift together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
💡 Pro Tip: Your dough should feel sticky and thick—that’s exactly what helps create the chewy texture and the iconic crackled appearance of the best Filipino ube crinkle cookies.
❄️ 2. Chill and Roll
Cover the cookie dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight is even better. Chilling solidifies the fats, helping the dough maintain its shape during baking. This is essential for creating those deep, dramatic crinkles on top of your ube cookies.
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop for uniform size.
Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar (optional but recommended) and then generously in ½ cup powdered sugar. This double-rolling technique is the secret behind bold crinkles and a dazzling finish.
🧊 Why Chill? Chilled dough doesn’t overspread, giving you thick, chewy ube crinkle cookies with well-defined cracks.
🔥 3. Bake and Cool
Arrange your sugar-coated cookie balls on the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and those gorgeous cracks have appeared. The centers should still be slightly soft.
Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
🍪 Texture Tip: Slight underbaking keeps the interior gooey and the exterior chewy—everything you want in a perfect ube crinkle cookie.
🔗 Craving more chewy cookies? Don’t miss my Snickerdoodle Blondies — packed with cinnamon and perfect for dessert lovers who enjoy soft, tender bites.
Nutrition Information and Health Insights 🧠🥣
These ube crinkle cookies are a sweet indulgence, but they can fit into a balanced lifestyle—especially with smart ingredient swaps.
- Calories: 100
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: <1g
🍠 Health Note: Using ube halaya slightly increases sugar content due to its pre-sweetened nature. Opt for pure mashed ube with extract if you want more control over sweetness.
Gluten-Free and Vegan Options 🌾🌱
Want to make your ube dessert recipe more inclusive? Here’s how:
Gluten-Free Ube Cookies
- Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Ensure your baking powder is labeled gluten-free.
Vegan Ube Crinkle Cookies
- Use 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water) in place of regular eggs.
- Swap in coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free fat source.
- Choose ube extract instead of halaya to avoid dairy or egg-based additions.
🥥 Pro Tip: Coconut sugar works as a substitute for granulated sugar if you want a lower-glycemic option.
🧁 Looking for more vibrant and nourishing sweets? Try our Zesty Roasted Beet and Orange Salad for a refreshing, antioxidant-rich balance to your cookie tray.
🍽️❄️ Serving and Storage Tips
✨ How to Serve Ube Crinkle Cookies
These soft and chewy ube crinkle cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re also incredibly photogenic. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet snack, this colorful ube sweets recipe shines on every occasion:
- Pair your cookies with a warm cup of coffee, milk tea, or traditional Filipino tsokolate for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Display them on a purple-themed dessert tray for birthdays, baby showers, or holiday cookie swaps.
- Serve with a scoop of ube ice cream or drizzle lightly with coconut glaze for a bakery-style experience.
- Make them bite-sized for party-ready finger food or go jumbo for an indulgent twist on classic ube cookies.
🎉 Presentation Tip: Right before serving, dust with a little extra powdered sugar to refresh that iconic crinkle look and add a final touch of sweetness.
🧊 Storage Guidelines for Ube Sweets
To keep your ube crinkle cookies soft, flavorful, and vibrant, follow these tried-and-true storage tips:
- Room Temperature: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container. Store for up to 4 days at room temp.
- Refrigeration: Not required, but storing in the fridge can extend freshness up to 7 days. Let them return to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Freezing Dough: Roll dough into balls (without sugar), freeze on a baking sheet, and store in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw slightly and coat with sugar before baking.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Flash-freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat at 275°F for 5 minutes to revive their chewy centers.
💡 Softness Hack: Place a slice of white bread in the cookie container. The bread transfers moisture, keeping your ube cookies soft for days.
🔗 Want more smart dessert storage tricks? Check out my Icebox Cake Magic — it’s not just delicious, it comes with essential tips on preserving freshness for any homemade treat!
Variations of Ube Crinkle Cookies 🎨🍪
Flavor Twists 🌴🍫
Ready to upgrade your ube cookie recipe? These add-ins take your cookies from classic to completely crave-worthy:
- Shredded Coconut – Stir in ½ cup for a chewy texture and a tropical vibe.
- White Chocolate Chips – Add ¾ cup for a creamy sweetness that complements the earthy ube flavor.
- Purple Yam Buttercream Filling – Sandwich two cookies with ube frosting for an indulgent treat.
💡 Combo Idea: Try white chocolate + coconut for the ultimate ube truffle cookie effect.
Shape and Size Alternatives 🍥
Customize the look and texture of your chewy ube cookies with these simple shape hacks:
- Mini Ube Cookie Bites – Use a small scoop and reduce bake time to 7–8 minutes for bite-sized, party-ready treats.
- Jumbo Soft-Baked Style – Use a large scoop and bake an extra 2–3 minutes for thick, bakery-style cookies with a gooey center.
🍪 Pro Tip: Adjust powdered sugar coating for smaller or larger cookies to maintain that signature crinkle.
Cross-Cultural Fusions 🌏
Ube pairs beautifully with other global flavors—here are a few innovative mashups:
- Matcha + Ube Crinkle Cookies – Mix 1 tsp matcha powder into half the dough for a stunning green-and-purple swirl.
- Mochi-Filled Ube Cookies – Add a cube of frozen mochi or sweet red bean paste in the center before baking for a gooey surprise.
- Ube Cheesecake Crinkles – Stuff the cookie dough with a chilled ball of cream cheese-sugar filling before baking.
🎭 Fusion Fun: These cookies not only taste amazing—they create a visual wow factor perfect for social sharing.
📸 Want more bold, vibrant sweets? Check out our Sticky Toffee Chia Pudding—another unexpected fusion of flavor and texture.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Ube Crinkle Cookies
Ube has a unique flavor that’s subtly nutty, slightly vanilla-like, and mildly earthy—often compared to a mix of sweet potato and pistachio. In cookies, it adds both flavor and vibrant purple color, especially when made with ube halaya or ube extract.
Can I use fresh ube instead of ube halaya or extract?
Yes! Simply boil, mash, and cool fresh ube, then mix it with a bit of condensed milk and butter to create a homemade ube halaya-style base. If using plain mashed ube, boost the flavor with a few drops of ube extract to achieve that iconic taste and color.
To maintain the perfect texture in your chewy ube cookies, try these tips:
Slightly underbake—pull them out when the edges are set but centers are still soft.
Add a spoonful of brown sugar to the batter for extra moisture.
Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain softness.
Use ube halaya instead of extract for added richness.
They’re not naturally gluten-free, but they can easily be made so by:
Substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Double-checking that your baking powder and other add-ins are certified gluten-free.
Yes, absolutely. If you don’t have ube halaya (ube jam) on hand, you can substitute it with one of the following:
Mashed steamed ube – a fresh, natural option with a subtle flavor
Rehydrated ube powder – mix with sweetened condensed milk for creaminess
Only ube extract – just make sure to add ¼ cup neutral oil to retain moisture
Just remember: while jam adds richness, extract offers color and aroma, so a combination often yields the best results for soft, chewy ube cookies.
What’s the secret to those perfect crinkles?
There are two secrets to getting bold, beautiful crinkles in your ube crinkle cookie recipe:
Chill the dough – Cold dough doesn’t spread too much, which allows cracks to form as the cookies rise and bake.
Double coat in sugar – First in granulated sugar, then in plenty of powdered sugar. This creates that signature snow-dusted effect.
Don’t skip these steps if you want your purple yam cookies to have the classic crinkle look.
An ube crinkle cookie is a soft, chewy treat made with ube, or purple yam—a staple ingredient in Filipino desserts. The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking, which creates beautiful crackles across the surface.
This treat is a flavorful fusion of Filipino ingredients and American baking traditions. It’s basically a cross between a brownie, a cookie, and a cloud of purple perfection
While ube has been used in the Philippines for generations in dishes like halaya, cakes, and ice cream, crinkle cookies originated in the United States. The fusion of these two dessert traditions likely emerged in Filipino-American kitchens in the early 2000s.
Thanks to Instagram, TikTok, and the global love of ube’s vibrant color and nutty-sweet flavor, ube crinkle cookies quickly became an internet-famous dessert with deep cultural roots.
🍠💜 Conclusion: Why You’ll Love This Ube Crinkle Cookie Recipe
Soft, chewy, and coated in sweet powdered sugar, these ube crinkle cookies are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a celebration of Filipino flavor, vibrant color, and cultural tradition. Each batch of ube cookies brings out the nostalgic comfort of home-baked goodness, with the exotic twist of purple yam that’s loved in Filipino desserts worldwide.
Whether you grew up eating Filipino crinkle cookies or are discovering the magic of ube dessert recipes for the first time, this ube crinkle cookie recipe delivers joy in every bite. Their vibrant hue, crackled tops, and creamy centers make them an irresistible choice for both taste and presentation.
Even better? The ingredients are simple, the steps are easy, and there are options to adapt this recipe for gluten-free and vegan eaters. Whether you’re baking for holidays, potlucks, or a midweek craving, these ube crinkle cookies fit every occasion.
🧁 Don’t forget to snap a photo of your homemade ube cookies and tag me on social media—I’d love to see your crinkles! And if you’re still craving more ube-inspired treats, don’t miss out on my colorful and fun Cannoli-Inspired Overnight Oats — a purple-hued fusion perfect for dessert or even breakfast.