Soft, chewy, purple bites of magic 💜
You’re gonna love this one—Ube Crinkle Cookies are soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and bursting with that sweet, nutty ube flavor.
The bright purple color makes them look super fancy, but they’re actually really easy to make. Think brownie meets cookie, but make it ube.
Let’s get baking!
🍴 What You’ll Need
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1 tsp ube extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
💜 Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe reminds me of the Filipino bakeries I used to visit with my mom. We’d always pick out the prettiest purple treats from the case, and ube crinkles were always my favorite. They taste like home, but with a chewy-cookie twist.
Here’s what makes it so great:
- That bright purple color looks like a celebration.
- The crackled sugar coating gives it just the right crunch.
- It’s easy! No chilling needed, no mixer required.
- These cookies stay soft for days.
👩🍳 Pro Tips
- Use ube halaya, not just ube extract—it adds the real-deal flavor and moisture.
- Roll cookies in lots of powdered sugar—don’t be shy!
- Don’t overbake. They’ll look soft in the middle but set as they cool.
- If your dough is sticky, lightly oil your hands before rolling.
- Want a more intense color? Add a few drops of purple food coloring.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small cookie scoop (optional)
🧠 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Baking powder creates those beautiful cracks—steam puffs up the cookies while the sugar coating sets.
- Ube halaya gives moisture and chew—think of it like mashed sweet potato but sweeter and smoother.
- Powdered sugar doesn’t fully melt, so it keeps that snowy, crackled look.
🥄 Substitutions & Variations
- Use melted butter instead of oil for a richer cookie.
- Add white chocolate chips for a twist.
- Swap ube halaya with mashed purple sweet potato if that’s what you’ve got.
- Want gluten-free? Try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
⏰ Make-Ahead Tips
- Make the dough a day ahead and keep it in the fridge—just let it sit out for 10 minutes before rolling.
- You can also freeze the dough balls (before rolling in sugar) and bake straight from frozen. Just add 2 extra minutes of bake time.
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix sugar, oil, and eggs
In a bowl, mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Add 2 large eggs and stir until smooth.
2. Add ube halaya and extract
Stir in 1/2 cup ube halaya and 1 tsp ube extract until fully blended.
3. Add dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add to the ube mixture and mix just until combined.
4. Scoop and roll in sugar
Scoop dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each in powdered sugar until fully coated.
5. Bake
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
6. Cool
Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
🍪 Makes: 18–20 cookies
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 10–12 minutes
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies in a zip-top bag—just thaw and enjoy.
🍱 Meal Plan Ideas
- Perfect for lunchbox treats or after-dinner dessert
- Bring to potlucks, brunches, or make for holiday gifts
- Pair with coffee or tea for a sweet afternoon break
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Overmixing: Makes the cookies dense instead of soft. Mix just until combined.
- Undercoating in sugar: You won’t get the crinkle effect without enough powdered sugar.
- Overbaking: They’ll look soft in the center—that’s what you want!
🍽 What to Serve With
- Hot tea or coffee
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Fresh fruit for balance (mango or pineapple is chef’s kiss)
❓ FAQ
What is ube?
It’s a purple yam from the Philippines with a sweet, nutty flavor. Not the same as taro!
Can I use ube powder instead?
Yes, but it’s not as moist. Mix it with water and butter to get a paste.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! But you can if you want to prep ahead.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—just use two pans and rotate halfway through baking.
🥰 Final Thoughts
These Ube Crinkle Cookies are a little bite of joy. The chewy center, that bold color, the sugary crackle on top—just wait ‘til you try them warm. I’d love to hear how they turn out for you! Drop a comment if you have questions, or just want to share the love 💜
Happy baking! 🍪
