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Authentic Homemade Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)
Ube Halaya is the heart and soul of Filipino desserts. Made from slow-cooked grated purple yam, rich coconut cream, condensed milk, and butter, it delivers a smooth, earthy-sweet flavor profile with floral vanilla notes.
Ingredients
- 16 oz Fresh or Frozen Grated Ube (Purple Yam), Thawed if frozen
- 13.5 fl oz Unsweetened Coconut Milk, Full fat canned
- 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk, 1 can
- 12 fl oz Evaporated Milk, 1 can
- 0.5 cup Unsalted Butter, Cut into cubes
- 1 tsp Pure Ube Extract (Butterfly Brand), For vibrant color & floral notes
- 0.25 cup Granulated Sugar, Adjust to taste
- 0.25 cup Toasted Coconut Curds (Latik), For garnish
Instructions
- Combine Liquid Base & Yam In a large heavy-bottomed non-stick pan or wok over medium heat, combine coconut milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and grated ube. Whisk vigorously until uniform.
- Simmer & Stir Continuously Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir continuously with a wooden spatula or silicone spoon for 30-40 minutes. Do not leave unattended to prevent scorching.
- Incorporate Butter & Flavor Once the mixture thickens into a thick paste that pulls away from the sides of the pan, fold in the butter, sugar, and ube extract. Stir for another 5 minutes until glossy and smooth.
- Mould & Cool Grease glass llaneras or baking dishes with melted butter. Transfer the hot ube halaya into moulds, smoothing the top with a spatula. Top generously with latik (toasted coconut curds).
- Serve or Chill Serve warm or chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours for a firm, sliceable texture.
Pro Tips
- Use a non-stick wok or silicone spatula to prevent sticking during the 40-minute stirring session.
- A single teaspoon of high quality Ube Extract compensates for color variance in frozen yams.
- Grease your glass containers with coconut oil or butter before molding for easy release.
Variations
- Vegan Ube Halaya: Substitute condensed milk with sweetened coconut condensed milk and butter with coconut oil.
- Ube Macapuno Halaya: Fold in 1 cup of sweetened coconut sport (macapuno string) right before molding.
Nutrition (estimated, per serving)
185 calories · 28g carbs · 3g protein · 7g fat · 19g sugar · 2.5g fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Ube Powder instead of frozen grated ube?
Yes! Rehydrate 1 cup of ube powder in 2.5 cups of warm water or coconut milk for 15 minutes before cooking.
How long does homemade Ube Halaya last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, it keeps fresh for up to 7 days in the refrigerator, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Recommended Ingredient
Butterfly Ube Flavored Paste & Extract (2 oz) — read our review.