Description
This Ube Tres Leches Cake is a vibrant and decadent Filipino-inspired dessert featuring a soft, fluffy sponge cake infused with ube halaya and ube extract. Soaked in a luscious blend of evaporated milk, condensed milk, and coconut milk with a hint of ube, it is topped with a creamy ube-flavored whipped cream frosting. Perfect for celebrations or whenever you crave a tropical treat, this cake combines the rich flavors of purple yam and creamy tres leches soaked cake for a uniquely delightful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 5 eggs, yolks and whites separated
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for egg yolks)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for egg whites)
- 1 tbsp ube extract
- ¼ cup ube halaya
Milk Mixture
- 1½ cups evaporated milk (one can)
- 1 cup condensed milk
- ⅓ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp ube extract
Ube Whipped Topping
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ube extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bowls: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃). Butter a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish to prevent sticking. Separate 5 eggs into yolks and whites, placing each in separate medium to large bowls. In a third bowl, sift together 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Mix Egg Yolks: Add ¾ cup granulated sugar to the egg yolks and beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Whisk in ¼ cup ube halaya, 1 tablespoon ube extract, and ⅓ cup whole milk until smooth, although small lumps of ube halaya may remain. Fold this egg yolk mixture gently into the dry sifted ingredients until just combined.
- Beat Egg Whites: Begin beating the egg whites, gradually adding ¼ cup granulated sugar as you whisk. Continue beating until stiff peaks form, indicating the egg whites are properly aerated and fluffy. Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a gentle folding technique to maintain the light texture.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cake and let it rest at room temperature for about one hour.
- Prepare the Milk Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1½ cups evaporated milk, 1 cup condensed milk, ⅓ cup coconut milk, and 1 teaspoon ube extract. Stir well to blend all ingredients completely.
- Soak the Cake: Using a fork, poke small, even holes all over the surface of the cooled cake, making sure the fork reaches the bottom of the pan. Gently pour the milk mixture evenly over the cake, allowing it to soak deeply. Let the cake sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to absorb the liquid. Then, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Make the Ube Whipped Topping: In a large bowl, combine 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, ½ cup coconut milk, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons ube extract. Beat the mixture until medium to stiff peaks form, creating a thick and airy whipped cream.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the whipped topping evenly over the chilled, soaked cake. You can serve the cake immediately after frosting, or for a firmer topping, let it rest uncovered in the fridge for an additional 2 hours before serving. Enjoy your vibrant and flavorful Ube Tres Leches Cake!
Notes
- To maintain the fluffy texture, fold the egg whites gently into the batter without deflating them.
- Ube halaya can be found at Asian grocery stores or can be homemade from purple yam.
- Allowing the cake to soak overnight yields the best moist and flavorful results.
- Use fresh eggs for optimal volume and texture in the batter.
- This cake is best served chilled but can be brought to room temperature for a few minutes before serving if preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Keywords: Ube tres leches cake, Filipino dessert, purple yam cake, tres leches, ube halaya, Filipino cake recipe, creamy cake, soaked cake, ube whipped cream
