Get ready for a fun and colorful dessert made with purple yams, also known as Ube! This Ube Ice Cream Recipe is easy to make and has a unique flavor everyone will love.
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
If you have ever seen a vibrant purple dessert or bread, it was most likely made with ube. This Ube Ice Cream Recipe is following that trend and couldn't be more fun to make. The purple color is so pretty and the flavor is unique as well just like in my Ube Halloween Rice Krispie Treats.
This ice cream has a nutty and vanilla-like flavor, similar to Fig Leaf Syrup, that pairs well with coconut. My first experience with ube was with coconut so I decided to add some toasted coconut to the top of mine.
There are a lot of recipes out there, this one was adapted from the recipe on The Spruce Eats. If you want to buy ube ice cream, the most popular brand is Magnolia ube ice cream.
What is Ube?
Ube is a purple yam originally from the Philippines. It's a bright purple sweet potato that's even sweeter than a regular sweet potato and has a nutty and subtle vanilla flavor. It's a common ingredient in the Philippians often used in desserts and bread and has recently become more popular thanks to Instagram.
Ingredients Needed For This Recipe
- Ube Extract - Ube products are unique but I was able to find ube extract online and at my local Asian grocery store.
- Ube Powder - Ube powder is a dehydrated purple yam that will need to be reconstituted before adding to the ice cream mixture. You can also find this online or at most Asian grocery stores.
- Heavy Cream - This makes the ice cream creamy and soft.
- Whole Milk - Whole milk is best when making ice cream because of the fat content to create the best consistency.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Ube Ice Cream
Step 1: Add the ube powder and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer and stir until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool. To speed up cooling time, place the mixture in a bowl in the fridge.
Step 2: Add the milk and sugar to a large mixing bowl and whisk together until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the heavy cream and ube extract. Mix in the cooled rehydrated ube and stir until completely combined.
Step 3: Add the ice cream mixture to your ice cream maker and churn for 25 minutes (per your manufacturer's instructions).
Step 4: Place the ice cream in a freezer-safe covered container and let it firm up for a few hours or overnight. Store any leftover ice cream covered in the freezer.
Expert Tips For This Recipe
- Ensure your ice cream maker bowl is fully frozen before making your ice cream mix. This can take anywhere from 6-24 hours.
- The ube powder has to be rehydrated and cooled before adding to the ice cream mixture.
- This recipe makes about 1 quart of ice cream.
- Ube extract is very concentrated and the color could stain your hands and clothes so be careful when handling it (and maybe don't wear white).
- Always read the instruction manual that comes with your Ice Cream Maker/Attachment and follow all safety guidelines.
Ice Cream Makers and Attachments for Homemade Ice Cream
The two ice cream makers I am familiar with are the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Attachment and the Cuisinart 1.5 QT. Ice Cream Maker. Both are super easy to use and have a separate bowl that you freeze before using.
Recipe FAQs
Homemade ube ice cream typically lasts about 1-2 weeks in the freezer if stored properly in an airtight container.
Use a plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Avoid containers that are not air-tight, this can cause ice crystals to form.
Some people add purple food coloring to their ube ice cream. Based on the coloring from the extract I found, I did not find that necessary. Of course, if you feel like you need it, you can always add it before churning.
Ube ice cream can be a healthier choice compared to some traditional ice creams, especially if it is made with nutritious, plant-based ingredients and natural sweeteners. However, it still contains sugars and fats, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The healthiest option always depends on the specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Ube is not the same thing as taro, although that confusion seems to happen a lot. Taro is a white root vegetable. The misunderstanding might come from the fact that taro can turn slightly purple when cooked.
More Frozen Recipes
If you get a chance to make this Ube Ice Cream recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Ube Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- ice maker or attachment
- freezer-safe covered container
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ube powder
- 1 cup water
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1½ tablespoons ube extract
- toasted coconut (optional topping)
Instructions
- Start by adding the ube powder and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool. To speed up cooling time, remove from the hot pan and place in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the milk and sugar to a large mixing bowl and whisk together until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the heavy cream and ube extract.
- Mix in the cooled rehydrated ube and stir until completely combined.
- Add the ice cream mixture to your ice cream maker and churn for 25 minutes (or according to your manufacture's instructions).
- Place the ice cream in a freezer-safe covered container and allow it to firm up for a few hours or overnight. Store any leftover ice cream covered in the freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Ensure your ice cream maker bowl is fully frozen before making your ice cream mix. This can take anywhere from 6-24 hours.
- The ube powder has to be rehydrated and cooled before adding to the ice cream mixture.
- This recipe makes about 1 quart of ice cream.
- Ube extract is very concentrated and the color could stain your hands and clothes so be careful when handling it (and maybe don't wear white).
- Always read the instruction manual that comes with your Ice Cream Maker/Attachment and follow all safety guidelines.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Tim says
I have made this recipe twice for my Filipino friends who can't believe that I was able to recreate a ice cream that takes them back home. This last time in fact it brought tears to their eyes. Their parents that live here also love this recipe, it most definitely takes them home. Thank you so much for this, it is now in my go to desserts.
Emily says
Tim, thank you for sharing, what a great story. And thanks for giving the recipe a try, it's one of my favorites too! 😊
Tatiana says
Its so much fun to cook with ube extract. I usually cook with kids and they are excited each time. Yummy ice cream!
Emily says
I agree! My son loved this ice cream too. Enjoy!
Amy Bloodworth says
Such a beautiful color! Can't wait to try it.