White Chocolate Ube Cookies

The first time I baked these cookies, my kitchen smelled like warm vanilla and something floral I couldn't quite place. I'd bought a jar of ube halaya on impulse, drawn to the shocking purple color, and decided to throw it into my basic chocolate chip cookie dough. When they came out of the oven, that color had transformed into something even prettier, and the flavor was this earthy, creamy surprise that had me eating three straight from the cooling rack.

I brought a batch to my sister's birthday dinner last month, and her kids were fascinated by the purple cookies. My nephew kept calling them 'Hulk cookies' until he took a bite and immediately asked for seconds. The adults were just as taken, with everyone trying to guess what gave them that unique flavor. It turned into this whole conversation about ube and Filipino desserts, and I loved watching something as simple as a cookie spark so much curiosity and joy at the table.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: The structure builder here, don't skip measuring it properly or your cookies might spread too thin
• Baking powder and baking soda: This duo gives the cookies their perfect lift and soft centers
• Salt: Essential for balancing all that sweetness and making the ube flavor really pop
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams properly with the sugars for that tender texture
• Granulated and brown sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and depth while the white sugar creates crisp edges
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the dough for consistent texture
• Ube halaya: This purple yam jam is what gives the cookies their signature color and earthy sweetness
• Ube extract: Amps up that distinct floral vanilla flavor that makes ube so irresistible
• White chocolate chips: The creamy sweetness perfectly complements the earthy notes of the ube

Instructions

Preheat and prep your workspace:

Set your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper so you're ready to go once the dough is mixed

Whisk the dry ingredients together:

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, then set it aside

Cream the butter and sugars:

Beat softened butter with both sugars for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture looks fluffy and pale

Add the wet ingredients:

Mix in eggs one at a time, then blend in the ube halaya, vanilla, and ube extract until your dough turns this gorgeous even purple

Combine everything:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing only until just combined to keep cookies tender

Fold in the white chocolate:

Gently stir in those white chocolate chips until they're evenly distributed throughout the purple dough

Scoop and space:

Drop tablespoon sized portions onto your prepared sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each for spreading

Bake to perfection:

Slide them into the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft

Cool completely:

Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling

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My friend texted me the next day after I gave her some of these cookies, asking if I'd put lavender in them because the flavor profile was so unique. I explained it was ube, and she spent the next week sending me photos of all the ube treats she'd found at Filipino bakeries in her neighborhood. I love how one batch of cookies opened up this whole world of flavors for someone who'd never tried them before.

Finding Ube Halaya

I've learned that Asian grocery stores are your best bet for finding ube halaya, usually in the same aisle as other Filipino ingredients. Some well stocked international markets carry it too, tucked near coconut milk and Asian sweets. If you're feeling ambitious, you can make it from scratch using fresh purple yam, though honestly, the jar version works beautifully in this recipe and saves you hours of boiling and mashing.

Getting That Perfect Purple Color

The natural purple from the ube halaya might bake into a more muted violet, and that's completely normal. If you want those vibrant Instagram worthy cookies, a little extra ube extract helps intensify both the color and flavor. Just don't go overboard, or you might end up with an artificial taste that overpowers the delicate earthy notes that make these cookies special.

Storage and Freshness

These cookies actually get better after sitting for a day, developing this fudgy center that's absolutely addictive. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and they'll stay soft for up to 5 days, though in my house they disappear long before that. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes.

• If freezing dough, portion it onto a baking sheet first, then transfer frozen balls to a bag so they don't stick together
• Add an extra minute to the baking time when baking from frozen
• A piece of bread in the container keeps cookies incredibly soft if they start to dry out

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There's something so satisfying about pulling a tray of these purple beauties out of the oven. The way the white chocolate catches the light against that lavender colored dough makes them feel like a little celebration on a plate.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ What does ube taste like?

Ube has a subtly sweet, earthy flavor with hints of vanilla and nuttiness. It's often compared to sweet potato but with a more delicate, floral undertone that pairs beautifully with creamy white chocolate.

→ Where can I find ube halaya?

Ube halaya (purple yam jam) is available in most Asian grocery stores, particularly Filipino markets. You can also find it online or make your own by boiling and mashing purple yam with condensed milk.

→ Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight bag. Frozen dough balls can be baked directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

→ Why did my cookies lose their purple color?

Baking can cause some color fading. To maintain vibrant purple, ensure you're using quality ube extract and halaya. You can add a few extra drops of ube extract to enhance the color before mixing.

→ Can I substitute the white chocolate?

Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips work well for contrast, though white chocolate complements ube's subtle sweetness best. Macadamia nuts also make an excellent addition for texture and nutty flavor.