Get a load of cream with this dessert! This ube maja blanca is the classic Filipino coconut pudding recipe with an added ube (purple yam) flavor for a delicious twist. It's a velvety dessert that's perfect for holidays or any special occasion!
Do you enjoy ube desserts? Then you're going to love this Ube cassava cake and Ube milkshake recipe!
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What is Maja Blanca?
Maja Blanca (coconut pudding) is a popular Filipino dessert made mainly of milk, cornstarch, and corn kernels. It's boiled and stirred over low heat until it has a thick, creamy, and velvety texture.
This light, sweet, and refreshing delicacy is a good recipe to start with for beginners. It's super easy to cook and lets you enjoy the ube flavor in every bite!
In this recipe, also known as maja de ube, we add ube halaya (purple yam jam) in the ingredients. It makes a delightful combo of ube, corn, and coconut milk in one kakanin or dessert!
The Story Behind Ube Maja Blanca
It is an authentic Filipino variation of the creamy milk-based Spanish dessert known as manjar blanco (or blancmange in English). “Maja” means to pound, grind, mash, or reduce to pulp, while “blanca” means white. During the Spanish period in the Philippines, the coconut meat was ground and pounded to extract the coconut milk. This dessert has many variations, which include maja buko pandan, maja maiz, and squash maja blanca.
Where Ube Maja Blanca Comes From
This dish developed in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. It was inspired by Spanish milk puddings. Filipino cooks adapted it using coconut milk and cornstarch. It is a newer Filipino variation made with purple yam jam and ube flavoring.
When is Ube Maja Blanca Typically Enjoyed?
Ube Maja Blanca is often enjoyed during Christmas and New Year celebrations. It is also popular at birthdays, fiestas, potlucks, and family reunions. You can also serve it as a chilled dessert or afternoon snack any time of year.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- cornstarch
- water
- coconut milk
- condensed milk
- whole milk
- ube halaya
- brown sugar
- ube extract
- corn kernels
Instructions
Prepare the dish
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch dish with coconut oil.
Make the slurry
Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth. Set aside.
Heat the milk mixture
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the coconut milk, condensed milk, whole milk, ube halaya, brown sugar, and ube extract while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
Place the pot over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the mixture is smooth and comes to a gentle simmer.
Add the slurry
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Whisk the slurry again, then slowly pour it into the pot while whisking continuously.
Cook until thick
Stir in the corner. Continue cooking and stirring, scraping the bottom and sides, until the mixture bubbles gently and becomes very thick and smooth.
Transfer immediately
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully set. Then, slice and serve chilled!
Chill and serve.
Allow the steam to subside, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully set. Slice and serve chilled.
Substitutions & Variations
- Ingredient Swap
Use agar-agar (gulaman in Filipino) if cornstarch is unavailable. - Variation
Topping options: sprinkle grated cheese, latik or coconut curds, corn kernels, toasted desiccated coconut, macapuno, and ground nuts. - Mistake to Avoid
Avoid any burnt spots at the bottom by stirring continuously! The mixture has to be very thick so that it will set once you transfer it onto a pan.
Storage Tip
Put the dessert in an airtight plastic container or cover it with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 3-4 days. Also, make sure to refrigerate this dessert first before serving.
FAQs
Classic Ube Maja Blanca
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 27 ounces coconut milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 12 ounces whole milk
- 1 cup ube halaya
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons ube extract
- ¼ cup canned corn kernels drained
Instructions
- Prepare the dish. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch dish without coconut oil.
- Make the slurry. Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth, then set aside.
- Heat the milk mixture. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the coconut milk, condensed milk, whole milk, ube halaya, brown sugar, and ube extract.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring until smooth and gently simmering.
- Add the slurry. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Whisk the slurry again, then slowly pour it into the pot while whisking continually.
- Cook until thick. Stir in the corner. Continue cooking and stirring, scraping the bottom and sides, until the mixture bubbles gently and becomes very thick and smooth.
- Transfer immediately. Spread the hot mixture into the prepared dish and smooth the surface. Do not let it cool in the pot.
- Chill and serve. Allow the steam to subside, then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, or until fully set. Slice, serve, and chill.
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Recipes for Every Moment
Hosting a party and need a colorful make-ahead dessert? This ube maja blanca is creamylicious, easy to prepare, and looks beautiful on any dessert table.
Mommy May May says
The cornstarch and water mixture hardened when placed in the pot. This causes huge clumps of chalk. Had to use a potato smasher 🙁 this recipe also does not include the temp at what to bake at. I made the best out of it….
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
Hi Mommy May May 💜
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and sharing your experience! I’m so sorry it turned chalky. That definitely shouldn’t happen.
It sounds like the cornstarch may have thickened too quickly when added to the hot mixture. Cornstarch can clump if it isn’t stirred again right before pouring or if the heat is too high.
I’ve updated the instructions to make that step clearer and easier to follow.
Also, thank you for pointing out the baking step. It was definitely a mistake on my end. I truly appreciate you catching that!
If you’re open to trying it again, I recommend whisking the slurry again right before adding it and lowering the heat before pouring it in slowly while stirring continuously.
Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated. It helps make the recipe better for everyone 💛
Sweetiepieeeeeee says
Yummyyyyyyyyy, I love maja blanca recipes!
Mia says
Followed the exact recipe and it turned out perfect!
Queenie says
I want to try this Maja Blanca recipe for my family's upcoming reunion!!