These fudgy ube brownies are a unique and delicious treat that blends the creamy, nutty flavor of ube with the rich texture of brownies. Made with ube jam and ube extract, these brownies are chewy, sweet, and vibrantly purple. The best part? They come together in just one bowl with simple ingredients and no fancy techniques. Whether you’re familiar with ube or new to it, this recipe is sure to become a favorite!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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115 grams unsalted butter, melted and cooled (½ cup)
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100 grams granulated sugar (½ cup)
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2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
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1 large egg yolk, room temperature
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240 grams ube jam (about 1 cup), room temperature
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1 tablespoon ube extract
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150 grams all-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups)
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
Directions
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Preheat & Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
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Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg yolk, ube jam, and ube extract, and whisk until fully combined.
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Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the bowl. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no streaks of flour remain.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
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Cool & Slice: Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Nutrients
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Serving Size: 1 square
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Calories: 180 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 24g
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 10g
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Cholesterol: 25mg
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Sodium: 125mg
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Sugar: 16g
The Magic of Ube: A Tropical Delight
Ube, often referred to as the “purple yam,” is a root vegetable that has gained widespread popularity in recent years, especially in desserts. Known for its vibrant color and slightly sweet, nutty flavor, ube has become a favorite ingredient in a variety of Filipino and Southeast Asian sweets. In this recipe, ube jam and ube extract are used to infuse the brownies with the distinct flavor of ube, giving them a rich and creamy taste with just the right amount of sweetness.
Ube jam, often made by cooking down ube with sugar and sometimes coconut milk, has a smooth and thick consistency that works perfectly in baking. The addition of ube extract enhances the flavor and deepens the vibrant purple color, making these brownies not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. The subtle, earthy sweetness of ube elevates the classic chocolatey richness of brownies and offers a refreshing new flavor profile for those familiar with this beloved root vegetable.
Simple Ingredients, Simple Process
One of the best things about these ube brownies is how easy they are to make. With only a handful of simple ingredients and just one bowl required, this recipe comes together quickly and effortlessly. No fancy techniques are needed—just basic baking skills and a love for delicious treats. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these brownies are perfect for anyone looking to try something new and exciting in the kitchen.
The process begins by melting the butter, which is combined with granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Adding the egg yolk, ube jam, and ube extract creates a rich and flavorful batter that’s ready for the dry ingredients. Flour, baking powder, and salt are sifted into the mixture, and the batter is gently folded until no streaks of flour remain. The simplicity of the ingredients and steps makes this recipe incredibly accessible, yet the result is a decadent and impressive dessert.
Chewy, Fudgy Texture
The texture of these ube brownies is one of their standout features. The addition of melted butter and a high ratio of ube jam creates a chewy and fudgy texture that’s rich and satisfying. When baked, these brownies have a slightly crisp edge and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center. This perfect balance between chewy and fudgy is what makes these brownies so irresistible.
Unlike cakey brownies, which have a lighter, airier texture, fudgy brownies are dense and moist, offering a rich, indulgent experience with every bite. The ube jam adds to the moisture and helps to keep these brownies perfectly soft, even after they cool. Whether you’re enjoying them warm out of the oven or at room temperature, the texture remains wonderfully consistent.
The Vibrant Purple Color
One of the most striking aspects of ube brownies is their beautiful purple color. The combination of ube jam and ube extract gives the brownies a deep, rich hue that’s visually stunning and distinctive. The purple color is natural, derived from the ube itself, and it adds an eye-catching element to these otherwise classic brownies. This vibrant shade makes these brownies perfect for special occasions, like birthdays, holidays, or any event where you want to surprise your guests with something unique and exciting.
The bright purple hue also makes these brownies a conversation starter. As soon as you take a bite, not only are you greeted with the creamy, nutty flavor of ube, but you also get the added satisfaction of knowing you’re indulging in a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Ube brownies are incredibly versatile and perfect for a wide range of occasions. Their chewy, fudgy texture and sweet, nutty flavor make them a great option for birthday parties, family gatherings, or even just a cozy treat to enjoy at home. Whether you’re looking for a special dessert to bring to a gathering or a fun way to try something new in your baking repertoire, these ube brownies will always be a hit.
Their vibrant purple color makes them an especially fun option for themed parties or cultural celebrations. They’re an excellent choice for Filipino-inspired events or any celebration that calls for a colorful, crowd-pleasing dessert. Additionally, their simplicity and ease of preparation make them perfect for anyone looking for a quick but impressive dessert to make without spending hours in the kitchen.
A Simple Recipe for a Sweet Delight
The beauty of this ube brownie recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients—unsalted butter, sugar, egg yolk, ube jam, ube extract, flour, baking powder, and salt—you can create a unique and delicious dessert that will wow anyone who tastes it. The fact that it all comes together in just one bowl adds to its appeal, making it easy to prepare and clean up afterward.
The addition of brown sugar, in addition to granulated sugar, adds depth and richness to the flavor of the brownies, complementing the sweet and nutty taste of the ube. The egg yolk helps create a dense, rich texture, ensuring that the brownies stay soft and moist throughout. The flour, baking powder, and salt round out the ingredients, providing the necessary structure and balance to the final product.
Once you mix the wet and dry ingredients together, the batter is poured into an 8×8-inch pan and baked for about 30-35 minutes. The result is a batch of perfectly baked brownies with a fudgy interior and a golden, slightly crisp exterior. The key to getting them just right is ensuring you don’t overbake them. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, which indicates that the brownies are perfectly done.
Nutritional Information
While these ube brownies are a delicious indulgence, they also offer some nutritional value. Each square contains 180 calories, with 24 grams of carbohydrates and 10 grams of fat. The brownies are relatively low in protein, with 2 grams per serving, but they do contain 25 milligrams of cholesterol and 125 milligrams of sodium. The sugar content is on the higher end, with 16 grams of sugar per serving, but this is to be expected from a dessert that’s both sweet and indulgent.
Despite the sugar content, these brownies also offer some enjoyment with their naturally sourced ingredients like ube jam, which provides a unique flavor and a slight amount of fiber, though in small quantities. This dessert is best enjoyed in moderation, especially as a sweet treat to satisfy your cravings.
Conclusion
Ube brownies offer a fun and delicious twist on the classic brownie recipe. With the creamy, nutty flavor of ube jam and the richness of fudgy brownies, these treats are a true delight for both new and seasoned ube lovers. The vibrant purple color, chewy texture, and simple preparation make these brownies a perfect choice for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to try something new or impress your friends and family with a unique dessert, these ube brownies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Enjoy the sweet, nutty flavor of ube in every bite and indulge in this beautiful and irresistible dessert!