Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a delightfully soft, vibrantly purple treat that’ll make your cookie jar the envy of the neighborhood, you’ve gotta try my Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a brilliant twist on the classic crinkle cookie – bursting with that uniquely sweet and earthy flavor of ube (purple yam). When I first tried making them, I was blown away by how wonderfully chewy and flavorful they came out, with just the perfect crackled sugar coating that makes every bite feel like a special occasion. Stick around, because I’m about to share everything you need to nail this recipe and impress your friends and family.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe comes together from simple pantry staples plus the star ingredient, ube halaya. Each component plays a role – from the fluffiness of the flour to the rich, buttery base, and of course, the signature purple yam flavor.

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure; fresh flour gives the best texture.
• Baking powder: For that gentle lift in the cookies.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances ube flavor.
• Large egg: Acts as a binder and adds moisture.
• Unsalted butter: Melting it first helps create a chewy texture.
• Light brown sugar: Adds subtle caramel notes.
• Granulated sugar: Divided use for sweetness and for rolling to get that crinkle effect.
• Ube halaya: The star of the show; this sweet purple yam jam adds authentic flavor and color.
• Ube extract: Boosts the ube taste – choose a good-quality one like McCormick’s.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For that signature powdery sugar coating.

Variations

I love how flexible this Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe is. While I usually stick to the basic formula, you can absolutely tailor it to your own cravings or dietary needs. One time I swapped out some of the all-purpose flour for almond flour, and the cookies had this lovely nutty depth.

• Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and watch the magic still happen.
• Vegan Twist: Swap out butter for vegan margarine and replace the egg with flax egg for a plant-based treat.
• Extra Ube Intensity: Add more ube extract or swirl in extra ube halaya on top before baking for a burst of color and flavor.
• Chocolate Swirl: Incorporate mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate after baking for a decadent surprise.

How to Make Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to go when your dough is chilled. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. This simple step ensures your leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, which makes a huge difference in the final texture.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients with Ube Goodness

In a large bowl, whisk the egg thoroughly, then add the melted and cooled unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and half of the granulated sugar. Mixing these early primes the dough with sweetness and fat that create that melt-in-your-mouth chewiness. Next, stir in the ube halaya and the ube extract. I found whisking works best to fully incorporate the thick ube jam, giving your dough a beautiful purple hue and intense flavor.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Use a flexible spatula to fold and stir until everything just comes together and the dough looks shiny. This usually takes about 30 seconds – don’t overmix or you risk a tough cookie. You want a soft, cohesive dough that holds its shape.

Step 4: Chill Time is Key

Cover your dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to an entire day. This chilling step is one of my best-discovered tricks – it firms up the dough, concentrates flavors, and helps the cookies keep their shape instead of spreading into flat discs when baking.

Step 5: Roll, Coat, and Arrange

Set up two shallow bowls – one with the remaining granulated sugar, and one with confectioners’ sugar. Scoop out generous 2-tablespoon portions of dough and roll each into balls. Then, first roll them in granulated sugar and follow it with a coating of confectioners’ sugar. This dual-sugar method creates the trademark crinkle effect during baking and adds that irresistible crackly texture.

Arrange about 5 dough balls spaced 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Keeping some space helps them bake evenly and form nice cracks without fusing together.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges begin to set but the centers are still a bit soft when you gently touch them. Resist the urge to overbake – they’ll firm up as they cool and remain soft inside. If you cook them too long, you lose that tender chewiness which makes these cookies so addictive.

Step 7: Cool and Repeat

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat the rolling and baking process with the remaining dough. Trust me, the aroma alone at this stage will have you reaching for seconds!

How to Serve Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra confectioners’ sugar on top right before serving for that fresh, snowy look. Sometimes a few toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on top add texture and a tropical flair that pairs beautifully with the ube flavor.

Side Dishes

Serving these alongside a warm mug of milk tea or a cup of strong black coffee is my favorite combo. They also pair wonderfully with vanilla or coconut ice cream for a decadent dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For celebrations, I’ve arranged these cookies on a tiered stand surrounded by purple orchids and edible flowers, which makes them look like a fancy treat no one expects to be so easy to make. Stacking them with a drizzle of white chocolate also adds a stunning contrast that gets all the compliments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling completely, I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. If the cookie surfaces lose a bit of that crackle, a quick dusting with confectioners’ sugar freshens them up.

Freezing

You can freeze the dough balls before rolling in sugar – just wrap them tightly and place in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and then proceed with rolling and baking. This saved me on busy days and the cookies baked up just as perfectly.

Reheating

To reheat, pop cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave them in 15-second increments. This restores that soft, warm texture that makes these cookies so comforting, just like fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Ube Crinkle Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever I want something vibrant, flavorful, and a little unexpected. It’s the kind of recipe that not only tastes amazing but also sparks conversation thanks to its beautiful purple color and unique flavor. I love sharing these with friends who’ve never tried ube before – and watching their eyes light up when they taste how soft and chewy these cookies are. So, grab your ingredients, give it a shot, and I promise you’ll be coming back to make these again and again.

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