Here's a delicious and easy to make Ube Puto topped with the classic Filipino cheese for a simple and dessert or snack! These are made with a combination of rice flour, purple yam, milk, and ube extract then steamed to deliciousness!

Looking for more Ube flavored desserts? Try my Ube Pancakes, Ube Donut Holes or the popular Ube Ice Candy!

What is Ube Puto?

Ube Puto (Purple Yam Steamed Rice Cake) is a quick, easy and delicious Filipino dessert or snack made with flour, ube halaya, milk, butter, and ube extract. It is usually topped with cheese to balance the sweet flavor.

This steamed rice cake recipe is so simple to make and needs a few easy to find ingredients only. It's a great recipe for picnics, parties or any gatherings and a perfect treat for ube lovers. Its pretty and vibrant purple hue makes it more appealing to the eyes. Give this a try!

Are taro and ube the same?

Taro and ube are similar in appearance and often confused, but they are different plants. Taro comes from a plant called Colocasia esculenta, while ube comes from a plant called Dioscorea alata.

Both are root vegetables and have a purple color, but they have distinct flavors and textures. Taro has a nuttier taste and is used in savory dishes, while ube has a sweeter flavor and is commonly used in desserts.

Health Benefits of Ube

Improves gut health
Helps lower blood pressure
Helps manage blood sugar
Rich in antioxidants
Great source of carbs, potassium, and vitamin C.

Top Tips

Make sure that the baking powder is not an old stock or expired. To check, pour ¼ cup of hot water to a 1 teaspoon of baking powder, if it bubbles then it's still okay to use.
Cover the lid of the steamer with a cloth to prevent the steam to drip onto the puto which may cause deflation.

delicious ube puto (purple yam steamed cake) topped with cheese

Substitutions

You may use ube-flavored condensed milk instead of ube halaya.
Grease the bottom part of the molder only before filling in the puto batter to achieve a dome appearance.

Variations

Topping options: salted egg, ube, condensed milk
Adjust the amount of sugar according to your preferred level of sweetness. You may also omit the sugar then add more tablespoons of condensed milk.

Storage

Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

all-purpose flour
rice flour
sugar
baking powder
baking soda
salt
coconut milk
evaporated milk
ube halaya
butter
ube extract
cheese

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, rice flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and set aside.

In a medium bowl, add coconut milk, evaporated milk, ube halaya, melted butter, ube extract and mix until combined:

mixed the dry ingredients in a large bowl and a mixture of coconut milk, evaporated milk, ube halaya, melted butter and ube extract in a medium bowl

Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until no lumps remain:

added the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients

Pour the batter into the mold until halfway full. Steam the batter for 3 minutes, then place the cheese on top of the batter:

ube puto batter poured into the molds then steamed and topped with cheese

Continue cooking for another 7 minutes, then remove it from the steamer and allow it to cool before removing it from the mold. Repeat the process with the rest of the batter and place it in a cooling rack to cool it completely:

Serve and enjoy.

FAQs

What is ube made of?

Ube is made from a root vegetable called purple yam. It's boiled, mashed, and often sweetened to create a vibrant purple paste or powder used in various Filipino desserts and dishes.

Is idli and puto the same?

Idli and puto are similar in some ways, but they are not the same. Both are types of steamed rice cakes, but they come from different culinary traditions. Idli is a South Indian dish made from fermented rice and lentil batter, while puto is a Filipino dessert made from rice flour, sugar, and water. They have different textures and flavors, with idli being softer and spongier, while puto is denser and sweeter.

What does ube taste similar to?

Ube has a unique flavor that is difficult to compare directly to other foods, but some people describe its taste as a combination of sweet potato, vanilla, and coconut. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor with hints of floral and earthy notes. Overall, ube has a distinctive taste that sets it apart from other root vegetables.

Is ube from the Philippines?

Yes, it's native to the Philippines.