Desserts

Ube Halaya

Cooking 60 mins Prep 15 mins Serves 10
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Ube Halaya

Ube Halaya: Purple Yam Jam

Ube halaya is a sweet, creamy jam made from purple yam cooked with milk and butter until thick and glossy. It is eaten on its own or used in halo-halo, cakes and ice cream.

About Ube Halaya

Ube halaya is a sweet jam of purple yam, milk and butter. It is eaten on its own or used in halo-halo, cakes and ice cream. The vivid purple color and rich, creamy flavor make it a favorite.

Ube halaya is a classic Filipino jam made from purple yam, and it is the base for many desserts, from halo-halo to ube cake. The color is a vivid purple and the flavor is mildly sweet and earthy with hints of vanilla. It takes patience and constant stirring to get that smooth, glossy texture.

Ingredient notes

  • Purple yam (ube): fresh, frozen grated or powdered all work.
  • Condensed milk and coconut milk: give richness and sweetness.
  • Butter: adds gloss and a silky mouthfeel.
  • Vanilla: rounds out the flavor.

Tips for the best Ube Halaya

  1. Mash the ube smooth. For a silky jam.
  2. Cook until thick. It pulls away from the pan.

What to serve with Ube Halaya

Serve alone or in desserts.

Variations and substitutions

  • Ube cake: use as filling.
  • Vegan: use plant milk.

Storing and reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for 2 months. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ube powder?

Yes. Rehydrate it with water or milk according to the package and cook as usual.

Why is my halaya grainy?

The ube was not mashed smooth. Mash or blend it well before cooking.

More Filipino recipes you might like

Leche Flan, Biko and Sapin-Sapin.

Ingredients

10 servings
  • Purple yam (ube)boiled and mashed500 g
  • Condensed milkabout 400 g1 can
  • Coconut milk240 ml
  • Evaporated milk120 ml
  • Butter3 tbsp
  • Sugar60 ml
  • Vanilla extract1 tsp

Instructions

  1. 1

    Boil the ube until very tender, peel and mash until smooth.

    medium heat ~25 mins
  2. 2

    Combine the mashed ube, coconut milk, evaporated milk and sugar in a pot over low heat.

    low heat ~5 mins
  3. 3

    Stir constantly, adding the condensed milk and butter gradually, until the mixture is thick and pulls away from the pan.

    low heat ~35 mins
  4. 4

    Stir in the vanilla and cool in a greased dish.

    ~5 mins

Notes

  1. 1. Stirring

    Constant stirring prevents scorching on the bottom.

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Photo: Ube halaya - mashed purple yam (Philippines) 01.jpg by Obsidian Soul via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.