What does ube taste like in 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.

How do I keep ube crinkle cookies soft and chewy?

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.

Are ube crinkle cookies gluten-free or can they be made gluten-free?

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 .

Can I make ube crinkle cookies without ube jam?

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.

What exactly is an ube crinkle cookie?

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

Where did ube crinkle cookies originate?

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.

17 Irresistible Reasons You'll Love These Ube Crinkle Cookies (Filipino Favorite!)

Name: 17 Irresistible Reasons You'll Love These Ube Crinkle Cookies (Filipino Favorite!)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 4 h 32 min
Cuisine: Filipino-American
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

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

Scale

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

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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