If you love vibrant flavors and eye-catching treats, the Purple Ube Bread Recipe is about to become your new obsession. This Filipino-inspired sweet bread combines the earthy, subtly nutty flavor of purple yam with a soft, fluffy texture that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a fun twist on traditional bread, this recipe is approachable, rewarding, and seriously delicious. Plus, the stunning violet hue makes it perfect for brightening up breakfast, brunch, or snack time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the Purple Ube Bread Recipe means gathering a handful of simple, readily available ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Each one plays a crucial role, from the yeast that gives the bread its airy rise to the ube halaya that delivers that iconic purple color and sweet flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that provides structure and chewiness to the bread.
- Active dry yeast: Our magical leavening agent that helps the dough rise beautifully and become light.
- Warm milk (110°F/43°C): The perfect temperature to activate yeast while adding moisture and richness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread just right and feeds the yeast for a good rise.
- Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens the dough’s gluten network for ideal texture.
- Egg: Adds richness and helps bind ingredients together for a tender loaf.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Contributes to the bread’s moist crumb and enhances flavor.
- Ube halaya (purple yam jam): The star ingredient that gives the bread its vibrant color and unique sweet, earthy taste.
- Ube extract (optional): Boosts the purple color and intensifies the ube flavor if you want an extra punch.
- Milk (for brushing): Ensures a shiny, golden crust once baked.
How to Make Purple Ube Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate Your Yeast
Start by dissolving the yeast and a tablespoon of sugar in warm milk. This simple but crucial step wakes up the yeast, producing a foamy surface that signals it’s alive and ready to do its magic in the dough. Patience here will reward you with a light, airy bread.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl or your stand mixer, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. These ingredients form the dry foundation of your dough and need to be well combined for even texture and flavor distribution.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients and Form Dough
Add the egg, softened butter, ube halaya, and optional ube extract into the dry mix. Pour in your now-foamy yeast mixture and begin kneading, either by hand or with a dough hook, for about 8 to 10 minutes until your dough turns soft, smooth, and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle flour one tablespoon at a time to reach the perfect consistency.
Step 4: First Rise
Cover your dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot. Let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This fermentation develops flavor and gives your bread that irresistible pillowy texture.
Step 5: Shape and Second Rise
After gently punching down the dough to release built-up air, shape it into a loaf or divide it into smaller rolls. Pop your dough into a greased loaf pan or onto a baking sheet. Cover again and allow it to rise for another 30 to 45 minutes so it can puff up nicely once more.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the loaf with a little milk to achieve a lovely golden crust. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Let it cool to fully set the crumb before slicing, so you get clean, beautiful slices every time.
How to Serve Purple Ube Bread Recipe
Garnishes
This Purple Ube Bread Recipe is so flavorful on its own, but topping it with a light spread of butter or cream cheese enhances the rich ube flavor perfectly. For an extra special touch, sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes or drizzle with a bit of sweetened condensed milk right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair this bread with tropical-inspired sides like fresh mango slices, a dollop of coconut yogurt, or even a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy, balanced snack or breakfast. The sweet, earthy tones of the ube complement creamy or fruity sides wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Beyond the classic loaf, try shaping your dough into rolls with a swirl of extra ube halaya inside for a delightful surprise. Cutting the bread into thick slices and toasting them adds crunch and warmth, perfect for breakfast or brunch entertaining when served alongside fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Purple Ube Bread Recipe fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This method maintains its soft texture and pleasant aroma, so it stays just as delicious as the day you baked it.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy your purple yam bread later, freeze it by tightly wrapping slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen bread lasts up to 3 months and can be thawed overnight at room temperature for convenience.
Reheating
To revive the soft, fluffy texture of your bread, warm slices in a toaster or oven at low heat for a few minutes. This brings back the freshly baked feel and aroma, especially when topped with a little butter or spread.
FAQs
Can I make Purple Ube Bread without ube extract?
Absolutely! The ube halaya alone provides plenty of that classic purple yam flavor and color. The ube extract is optional and mainly used to enhance the vibrancy and depth of flavor, but the bread will still be delicious without it.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, this Purple Ube Bread Recipe is beginner-friendly with straightforward steps and common ingredients. Just be sure to follow the rising times and kneading instructions for the best results.
Can I use frozen ube halaya?
Yes, frozen ube halaya will work just fine. Allow it to thaw completely and soften before using, so it mixes into the dough evenly and contributes to that beautiful color and flavor.
Can I make this bread vegan?
This recipe uses egg, butter, and milk, so to make it vegan you’d need to substitute these with plant-based alternatives like flaxseed egg, vegan butter, and almond or soy milk. Keep in mind texture and flavor may vary slightly.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
The top should be lightly golden, and when you tap the bottom or the top, it should sound hollow. These signs mean the inside is cooked through perfectly without being gummy.
Final Thoughts
Trying the Purple Ube Bread Recipe is like inviting a little bit of joyful, colorful tradition into your kitchen. It’s fun, satisfying, and oh-so-yummy — a true crowd-pleaser that brightens the table with every slice. I can’t wait for you to bake this bread and discover your own favorite way to enjoy its wonderful flavors and vibrant hue!
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Purple Ube Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf or 10 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Purple Ube Bread is a soft, sweet Filipino bread made with ube halaya (purple yam jam) that gives it a vibrant color and distinctive flavor. This delightful loaf is perfect for breakfast or as a snack, boasting a tender crumb and a hint of buttery sweetness, enhanced by a subtle ube extract for added depth.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1/2 teaspoon ube extract (optional, for deeper flavor and color)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy to ensure the yeast is active.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt to evenly distribute the dry components.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, softened butter, ube halaya, and ube extract (if using) to the dry mixture. Pour in the yeast mixture.
- Knead the Dough: Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8–10 minutes until a soft, smooth dough forms. If the dough is sticky, incorporate more flour one tablespoon at a time to achieve the right consistency.
- First Rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough to release air, then shape it into a loaf or divide into rolls. Place into a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the dough with milk for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool thoroughly before slicing to ensure a perfect texture.
Notes
- For extra richness, swirl in more ube halaya before shaping the loaf to intensify the ube flavor and create attractive swirls.
- This bread is delicious on its own or toasted with butter for a warm, flavorful snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
