Ube Tres Leches Cake: 7 Steps to a Heavenly Filipino-Inspired Dessert

Name: Ube Tres Leches Cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted; 1 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 6 large eggs, separated; 1 cup granulated sugar, divided; ½ cup whole milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tsp ube extract (more for deeper color/flavor); 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk; 1 (13.5 oz) can full-fat coconut milk; 2 cups heavy cream, very cold; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract (for topping)

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The first time I tasted Ube Tres Leches Cake, it was at a vibrant Filipino fiesta, a cacophony of laughter, music, and the most incredible aromas imaginable. I remember thinking, 'How can a cake be this moist, this flavorful, and this utterly unique?' My initial hesitation about the exotic purple yam quickly dissolved into pure bliss with the first forkful. The spongy cake, saturated with a luscious three-milk blend infused with the subtle, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor of ube, topped with a cloud of whipped cream… it was a revelation. It tasted like sunshine and nostalgia, even though I'd never had it before. That day, a mission was born: to recreate that magical Ube Tres Leches Cake experience in my own kitchen. After countless attempts, adjusting ratios, experimenting with ube extracts and purées, and even a few minor kitchen disasters (we've all been there!), I finally cracked the code. And today, I'm thrilled to share my perfected recipe for Ube Tres Leches Cake with you, so you can bring a piece of that vibrant celebration into your home.

Table of Contents

Why This Ube Tres Leches Cake Recipe is a Must-Try

Unforgettable Flavor Profile: This Ube Tres Leches Cake combines the creamy sweetness of traditional tres leches with the unique, earthy vanilla-like notes of ube, creating a dessert that stands out from the crowd.
Incredibly Moist Texture: The three-milk soak ensures every bite of this Ube Tres Leches Cake is supremely moist and tender, practically melting in your mouth.
Visually Stunning: The gorgeous natural purple hue of ube makes this cake a showstopper, perfect for any special occasion or just to brighten your day.
Easier Than You Think: While it looks impressive, making this Ube Tres Leches Cake is surprisingly straightforward with our detailed instructions and pro tips.

Key Ingredient Notes for Your Ube Tres Leches Cake

Crafting the perfect Ube Tres Leches Cake relies on understanding a few star ingredients:

Ube Extract

Ube extract is what gives our Ube Tres Leches Cake its distinctive flavor and vibrant purple color. While fresh ube or ube halaya (ube jam) can be used, the extract provides concentrated flavor and consistent coloring, making it ideal for baking. You can find it in Asian grocery stores or online. Don't be shy with it, as its flavor is subtle and complements the milky sweetness beautifully.

The "Tres Leches" (Three Milks)

The heart of any Tres Leches Cake, including our Ube Tres Leches Cake, is the milk mixture. We use a combination of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and coconut milk. Sweetened condensed milk provides rich sweetness and thickness, evaporated milk adds another layer of creaminess, and coconut milk introduces a tropical undertone that pairs wonderfully with ube. This trio creates the perfect soak for our spongy cake base.

Good Quality Eggs and Flour

For a light and airy sponge cake that can absorb all that delicious milk, good quality eggs and all-purpose flour are essential. Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for better volume when whipping. Sifting your flour helps prevent lumps and ensures an even texture in your Ube Tres Leches Cake.

Ube Tres Leches Cake Preparation — Divine Ube Tres Leches Cake: A Taste of Filipino Sunshine! 4

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ube Tres Leches Cake with Pro Tips

Let's dive into making this show-stopping Ube Tres Leches Cake!

For the Ube Sponge Cake:

Prep Tip: Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This helps everything combine smoothly and gives your cake the best texture.
Whipped Eggs: The key to a light cake is well-whipped eggs. Beat them until they are pale yellow and form a thick ribbon when the whisk is lifted.
Gentle Folding: When incorporating the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, fold gently to maintain the airiness. Overmixing will result in a dense cake, which we don't want for our Ube Tres Leches Cake.
Ube Color: Add the ube extract gradually until you reach your desired purple hue. Remember, the color might deepen slightly upon baking.
Baking: Don't overbake! A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Overbaking can dry out the cake even before it gets its milky bath.

For the Ube Tres Leches Soak:

Thorough Mixing: Whisk the three milks and ube extract thoroughly to ensure the ube flavor is evenly distributed.
Poking Holes: Don't skip the step of poking holes in the cake! This allows the milk mixture to fully penetrate and saturate every inch of your Ube Tres Leches Cake.
Gradual Pouring: Pour the milk mixture slowly and evenly over the warm cake. Give it time to absorb. You might think it's too much, but trust the process – the cake will soak it all up!

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

Cold Ingredients: For the best whipped cream, ensure your heavy cream, bowl, and whisk attachment are all very cold. You can even chill your bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes prior.
Sweetness Adjustment: Adjust the powdered sugar to your preference. A touch of vanilla extract enhances the flavor beautifully.
Peak Perfection: Whip until medium-stiff peaks form. Over-whipping will turn it grainy.

Variations & Serving Suggestions for Ube Tres Leches Cake

While this classic Ube Tres Leches Cake is perfect as is, here are some ideas to customize it:

Coconut Flakes: Toast some shredded coconut and sprinkle it over the top for added texture and a complementary tropical flavor.
Fresh Fruit: Garnish with fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries, or slices of mango for a burst of freshness that contrasts beautifully with the rich Ube Tres Leches Cake.
Ube Halaya Swirl: For an even more intense ube flavor, warm a spoonful of ube halaya (ube jam) slightly and swirl it into your whipped cream topping, or spread a thin layer over the cooled cake before adding the whipped cream.
Individual Portions: Bake the Ube Tres Leches Cake in a muffin tin for individual mini cakes, perfect for parties or portion control. Adjust baking time accordingly.
Spiced Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for a subtle warmth that complements the ube.

Serve this Ube Tres Leches Cake chilled, straight from the refrigerator. It's delightful on its own, or alongside a cup of coffee or tea. For leftover slices, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I often use these Basics Glass Food Storage containers to keep my baked goods fresh and visible.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving of our delightful Ube Tres Leches Cake:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	420 kcal
Carbohydrate Content	55g
Cholesterol Content	110mg
Fat Content	20g
Fiber Content	1g
Protein Content	7g
Saturated Fat Content	12g
Serving Size	1 slice (approx. 140g)
Sodium Content	180mg
Sugar Content	40g
Trans Fat Content	0.5g
Unsaturated Fat Content	7g

Making an Ube Tres Leches Cake might seem intimidating at first, but with this recipe, you're well on your way to creating a truly spectacular dessert. The vibrant color and unique flavor of this Ube Tres Leches Cake will impress everyone lucky enough to try it. It’s more than just a cake; it’s an experience, a little slice of culinary adventure right in your own kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this Ube Tres Leches Cake is a rewarding project that promises delicious results. So grab your ingredients, turn on your favorite tunes, and get ready to whip up a masterpiece. You'll also love our The Ultimate Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dream Pie for another decadent dessert or try the Easiest & Most Delicious Sugar Cookie Bars when you need something simpler but equally delightful. Happy baking, and enjoy every purple, milky, sweet bite of your homemade Ube Tres Leches Cake!

FAQs

What is Ube Tres Leches Cake?

Ube Tres Leches Cake is a delicious fusion dessert combining the classic Latin American tres leches (three milk) cake with ube, a purple yam popular in Filipino cuisine. The spongy cake is soaked in a rich, ube-infused blend of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and coconut milk, then topped with whipped cream, resulting in an incredibly moist, sweet, and uniquely flavored purple cake.

Where can I find ube extract?

Ube extract, essential for the distinct flavor and color of Ube Tres Leches Cake, can typically be found in Asian grocery stores, especially those specializing in Filipino products. Many online retailers also stock ube extract, making it readily accessible for home bakers.

Can I make Ube Tres Leches Cake ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! Ube Tres Leches Cake is actually best when made ahead of time. Allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, gives the cake ample time to fully absorb the milky soak, resulting in the most tender and flavorful dessert. It stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

What can I use if I don't have coconut milk for the Tres Leches soak?

While coconut milk adds a wonderful tropical note that complements the ube, if you don't have it, you can substitute it with whole milk or half-and-half. The flavor profile of the Ube Tres Leches Cake will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious and incredibly moist.