Try this Ice Candy —a Filipino take on ice pops that's both delicious and refreshing! This recipe features the unique flavors of purple yams, blended with creamy condensed milk and evaporated milk for a truly irresistible treat!
Looking for more refreshing desserts? Try my Avocado Popsicles, Fruit Popsicles or Mango Ice Candy!
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History of Ice Candy
We don't have exact records of how ice candy started, but we think it came from a mix of different cultures, people trying new things with food, and having yummy ingredients to use. So, ice candy is a tasty result of people's creativity and the yummy things they could find to make it!
- Innovation and Adaptation: Ice candy as it is known today likely emerged as a localized adaptation of frozen treats in the Philippines. With the abundance of tropical fruits, dairy products, and sweeteners in the region, Filipinos creatively combined these ingredients to create their unique version of frozen delicacies.
- Popularity and Variations: Ice candy gained popularity across the Philippines as a simple and affordable frozen treat, particularly favored during hot summer months. Its versatility allowed for various flavor combinations, with popular options including fruit flavors, chocolate, coffee, and even local delicacies like ube (purple yam).
- Cultural Significance: Ice candy holds cultural significance in Filipino society, often enjoyed during family gatherings, celebrations, and street food festivals. It is not only a refreshing dessert but also a nostalgic symbol of childhood for many Filipinos.
- Modernization and Commercialization: While traditionally made at home or sold by street vendors, ice candy has also become commercialized, with pre-packaged versions available in supermarkets and convenience stores. However, homemade ice candy remains cherished for its authenticity and customization options.
Substitutions
- Purple Yams: If purple yams are not available, you can substitute them with other types of yams or sweet potatoes, such as orange sweet potatoes or white sweet potatoes. These alternatives will provide a similar starchy sweetness to your ice candy.
- Condensed Milk: For a dairy-free option, you can use coconut condensed milk or almond condensed milk. Alternatively, you can make your own condensed milk substitute using coconut milk and sweeteners like sugar or maple syrup.
- Evaporated Milk: To replace evaporated milk, you can use coconut milk or almond milk for a dairy-free version. You can also use soy milk or oat milk as alternatives.
- Sweeteners: Instead of using traditional sugar, you can sweeten your ice candy with honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia for a lower-calorie option.
Variations
- Add fresh fruits shredded young coconut to this recipe.
- Add-ins: Get creative with add-ins like chopped fruits, chocolate chips, nuts, or coconut flakes to customize your ice candy according to your preferences.
Top Tip
- After adding the cassava flour make sure to continually stir it. Leaving it untouched while the stove is on will create lumps and won't taste great.
Storage
- Can be stored for 2-3 months in a freezer safe container.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- ½ cup ube (purple yam), steamed
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup cassava flour
- ⅓ cup organic sugar
- ¾ cup condensed milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon ube flavoring
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the purple yams and cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are soft and tender.
How to make Ube Ice Candy:
In a bowl, add ube and 1 cup water and mix until there are no lumps, set aside.
In another bowl, add 2 cups water and cassava flour and mix until well combined, set aside.
In a pot over medium heat, add 5 cups water and bring to a rolling boil. Add sugar and mix until sugar is dissolved.
Next add cassava mixture and stir continuously.
Add ube mixture, ube flavoring and stir until well combined. The mixture will turn purple.
Add condensed milk, evaporated milk and continue to mix until well combined.
Allow to cool for 30 mins and transfer in popsicle molds or ice candy plastic
If using ice candy bag:
You will need a funnel and a ladle.
Insert the tip of the funnel in the ice candy bag and ladle the mango mixture. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches for tying.
Twist the ice candy bag to seal the mixture and knot tightly.
Repeat until there is no ube mixture left.
If you don't have ice candy bags, but have popsicle molds:
- Evenly pour ube mixture into the popsicle molds.
If you don't have ice candy molds, you can always use popsicle molds:
Hint: Always leave enough space in the ice candy bag. You will find it difficult to tye the knot if you put too much of the ice candy mixture.
FAQ
More Filipino recipes you will enjoy:
Easy Ice Candy from Philippines
Ingredients
- ½ cup ube purple yam, steamed
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup cassava flour
- ⅓ cup organic sugar
- ¾ cup condensed milk
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon ube flavoring
Instructions
How to boil ube (purple yam):
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the purple yams and cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are soft and tender.
How to make Ube Ice Candy:
- In a bowl, add ube and 1 cup water and mix until there are no lumps, set aside.
- In another bowl, add 2 cups water and cassava flour and mix until well combined, set aside.
- In a pot over medium heat, add 5 cups water and bring to a rolling boil. Add sugar and mix until sugar is dissolved.
- Next add cassava mixture and stir continuously.
- Add ube mixture, ube flavoring and stir until well combined. The mixture will turn purple.
- Add condensed milk, evaporated milk and continue to mix until well combined.
- Allow to cool for 30 mins and transfer in popsicle molds or ice candy plastic
If using a popsicle mold:
- Evenly pour ube mixture into the popsicle molds.
If using ice candy bag:
- You will need a funnel and a ladle.
- Insert the tip of the funnel in the ice candy bag and ladle the mango mixture. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches for tying.
- Twist the ice candy bag to seal the mixture and knot tightly.
- Repeat until there is no ube mixture left.
Maivi Ann Vega says
Thank you very much! Very detailed instructions. Will try this soon.
Lainey says
You're welcome, Maivi! Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate it! I hope you'll love it!
Jane says
This is soooo good! You can really taste the yams!
Lainey says
Hello, Jane. It's good to know that you find this ice candy recipe delicious. Thank you so much! If you want to try more Filipino desserts, feel free to browse in this site. 🙂