Editor’s Picks: 15 Delectable Ube Treats To Indulge In Right Now
You'll love these delectable desserts that come in beautiful hues of lavender, bruised purple, or rich aubergine
When New York’s Manila Social Club came out with their Golden Cristal Ube doughnuts back in 2016, it sparked an obsession with ube that was quite unprecedented. Suddenly, people in the ‘States couldn’t stop posting beautifully-styled shots of ube in all possible iterations, from doughnuts to pancakes to gelato. Refinery29 hit the nail on the head when it called ube the “beautiful food people can’t stop Instagramming.”
We Pinoys could have told them a thing or two about ube. Gorgeous in hue, fragrant, with a particular sweetness subtly nuanced with nuttiness, ube is a much favored ingredient in Filipino cooking, often used in traditional foods like kakanin, halaya, and halo halo. These days, we're loving how ube has become ubiquitous, making it’s way into a delicious repertoire of goodies, from cookies and cheesecakes, to gelatos and breads. Yes, ube is definitely trending (again), and we suggest you don't miss out on the experience. Don't worry, we've picked our 15 favorites that you can have delivered to your door right now.
Purple Passion
Purple Passion
Ube Caramel Bars by Sweetened Bakery
Fourteen-year-old Kylie Po bakes these delicious caramel bars with their beautiful swirls of ube, which you can order from her newly-minted pastry business, Sweetened Bakery. Growing up as the daughter of Fleur de Lys Patisserie’s respected @chefjackieangpo is sure to have given Kylie confidence and inspiration in the kitchen, but she’s made these desserts her very own. Order from (0922) 850-6467, or @sweetenedph on IG and FB
Photo Credit: @sweetenedph
Wildflour's Ube Jam
You’ll be tempted to dig in a spoon, once you get your hands on a bottle of this freshly made jam with its gorgeous, vividly violet shade. Spread onto warm pandesal, use as a baking ingredient, place a generous dollop over bibingka. The possibilities are endless. Order from wildflourtogo.com or message @wildflourmanila on FB, @wildflourtogo on IG
Photo Credit: @wildflourtogo
Ube Cheese Bibingka from Bibingka Manila
Made in small batches, Bibingka Manila’s Ube Cheese Bibingka is delightfully moist with a little pocket of ube halaya just waiting for you to bite into it. Yum! The bibingkas may be mini, but it's dangerously hard to stop at just a few. To order, send an SMS or viber to (0917) 561-4997, @bibingkamnl on IG and FB
Photo Credit: @bibingkamnl
Ubetopia by Sebastian's Ice Cream
We can’t resist this densely flavored ice cream made with real ube, layered with thick ribbons of ube fudge, sprinkled with house-made chunks of ube halaya. The result is an intense ube upon ube upon ube experience. Available in pints, for pickup or delivery at The Podium, just send a text or Viber (0977) 715-1378, @sebastiansicecream on FB and IG
Photo Credit: @sebastiansicecream
Ube Keso Pandesal by Baby Pat Breads & Pastries
Cheese and ube is a classic combination that works superbly in this version of pandesal. Made with just the right contrast of salty-sharp and creamy. To order, send an SMS to (0917) 790-1127, viber (0933) 318-9449, @mybabypat on IG and FB
Photo Credit: @mybabypat
Papa's Ube Cheese Ensaymada
Sheraton Manila Bay makes delightful desserts, including this rather intense rendition of flavored ensaymada. Check out their #DiscoverDeliciousDelivery line, available for takeout or pickup. For the complete gourmet takeaway menu, visit bit.ly/ccmnlsb, or call (02) 5318-0788, sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com
Ube Gelato by Nuki Churros and Gelato
The decadent creaminess of @nukichurrosandgelato’s ube gelato comes from the pure Italian milk that’s used in its production. It feels silky and luxurious on your tongue, and it’s healthy too, with no extra additives or artificial flavors or coloring added. Message (0906) 295-2541, @nukkichurrosandgelato on IG and FB
Photo Credit: @nukichurrosandgelato
Ube Mille Crepes by Rudy Remarkable Cakes
This utterly gorgeous confection is composed of extra-thin crepes layered with cream and Bahay Pastulan’s ube jam, then decorated with 23.7 carats edible gold. A veritable treasure of a dessert. You’ll need to order three days ahead of time. To order, go to bit.ly/rudyremarkable or browse more of his incredible cakes @rudyremarkablecakes on FB and IG
Photo Credit: @rudyremarkablecakes
Ube Halaya from the Good Shepherd Sisters
If you've been craving the OG ube jam of your childhood, you'll be glad to know that the Baguio-based Good Shepherd Sisters have opened their own online shop, Mountain Maid, to serve Manila customers. You can order through this link: tinyurl.com/y8ccvfg2. The Mountain Maid jams supports students from the Cordillera region. Meanwhile, the Good Shephered Sisters in Tagaytay are also selling ube jam under the Bahay Pastulan brand, which goes to support women who are survivors of abuse. You can order their products through www.spew.ph Note that the prices of these jams are different.
Photo Credit: @rudyremarkablecakes
Ube Macarons by Bizu Catering Studio
The elegant hues of Bizu’s ube macarons de Paris hint at its intense ube flavor. The delicate pastry is made with ube from Bohol, which has a slightly more restrained taste, which suits the delicacy of the macarons. Order from shop.bizupatisserie.com or @bizucateringstudio on IG and FB
Photo Credit: @bizucateringstudio
Chef Edward David Mateo’s Ube Cake
Real ube halaya and custard combine in this irresistible, creamy dessert. It comes in a tub, and all you need is a spoon. Order from (0927) 672-4168, @royalepatisserieph on FB and IG
Photo Credit: @royalepatisserieph
Ube Kinampay Cake by Flour Pot Manila
This gorgeous rustic cake is made with ube ice cream whipped cream and homemade Bohol kinampay filling, in between layers of feather-light ube sponge, then topped with local wild blueberries and strawberries from Benguet, and coconut meringue. Perfection. Call (0917) 789-2352, @flourpotmanila on FB and IG
Photo Credit: @flourpotmanila
Ube Cheesecake from Indulgence by Irene
I’ll confess, this cheesecake is a personal favorite that stands the test of time. Rich, luscious, creamy, it pairs so well with coffee, with liquor, with wine. It’s a contemporary take on ube, and yet retains that pure ube taste. If you haven’t tried this yet, please do yourself a favor and call (0917) 622-5800, @indulgencebyirene on FB and IG
Photo Credit: @troysnaps
Ube Champorado at Manam Comfort Filipino
Breakfast (or merienda) was never more fun than when I discovered Manam’s ube champorado. A delightful play on the traditional chocolate champorado, the ube version is sweet and rich, with white chocolate blended in for nuance, and salty danggit for contrast. @manamph
Photo Credit: @manamph
Ube Macapuno Babka by Crust & Crumb
Photographer turned baker Aldwin Aspillera makes this stunning Ube Macapuno Babka made of signature milk dough layered with ube halaya, then topped with premium macapuno. Check out more of his baked treats @crustandcrumbph on IG, or call (0917) 450-4688
Photo Credit: Aldwin Aspillera
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