If you’ve been searching for a dessert that’s both delightfully unique and irresistibly creamy, this Ube Cream Puffs Recipe is an absolute must-try. These delicate puffs are perfectly golden on the outside with a soft, chewy texture inside, while the luscious ube-flavored whipped cream filling adds a vibrant color and a sweet, nutty flavor that simply melts in your mouth. It’s a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary—trust me, once you try this, Ube Cream Puffs will instantly become a favorite treat in your dessert lineup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the list intimidate you—each ingredient here plays an essential role, from creating that light, airy structure of the cream puffs to delivering the unmistakable purple hue and flavor of ube. These straightforward components are staples that come together to balance texture, taste, and presentation seamlessly.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (unbleached): The foundation of your choux pastry, vital for the perfect puff and structure.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that tender, flaky exterior.
- 1/2 cup water: Provides the liquid base, essential for the dough to come together smoothly.
- 1/2 cup ube puree: Gives the dough its beautiful purple tint and that unique, sweet ube flavor.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Balances the flavors with just the right amount of sweetness.
- 4 large eggs (room temperature): Key to creating a light, airy dough that puffs up during baking.
- 1 cup heavy cream: For the creamy, fluffy filling that makes these puffs irresistible.
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream filling.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the cream’s flavor with its fragrant sweetness.
How to Make Ube Cream Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure that the cream puffs don’t stick and to promote even baking. Proper preparation here sets the stage for perfectly puffed and golden pastries.
Step 2: Make the Choux Dough
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter in the water. Once the mixture is bubbling, quickly stir in the flour all at once and keep stirring until it forms a cohesive ball that pulls away from the pan—about 1 to 2 minutes. This step is crucial to remove excess moisture and cook the flour slightly, which leads to the right texture in your puffs.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Ube Purée
Remove your pan from heat and let the dough cool slightly so it doesn’t scramble your eggs. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated and smooth. Finally, fold in the vibrant ube puree, which will give your dough that gorgeous purple color and a delightful flavor twist.
Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cream Puffs
Using either a piping bag or a spoon, drop dollops of dough onto the lined baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to give room for puffing. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until each puff is beautifully golden brown and has risen. The high heat and proper spacing ensure hollow centers ideal for filling.
Step 5: Whip the Cream Filling
While the cream puffs cool, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This fluffy filling complements the pastry’s texture perfectly and carries that sweet essence of vanilla to balance the ube’s earthiness.
Step 6: Fill and Finish Your Cream Puffs
Once the puffs have cooled, gently slice off the tops and fill each generously with the whipped ube cream. Replace the tops and, if you want, dust with a little extra powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch. Now you have a stunningly purple, heavenly treat ready to impress!
How to Serve Ube Cream Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a light dusting of powdered sugar or even edible glitter can elevate the presentation perfectly. For extra flair, try topping with toasted coconut flakes or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk—it pairs beautifully with the ube flavor.
Side Dishes
These cream puffs shine best as a delightful sweet finish, but pairing them with fresh tropical fruits like mango or pineapple can create a refreshing contrast. A cup of jasmine or green tea also complements the richness and balances the sweetness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your ube cream puffs stacked on a pretty tiered dessert tray for parties, or arrange them inside clear glass jars for an adorable, modern display. You can even turn them into mini cream puff sandwiches with layers of whipped ube cream and fresh fruit slices inside.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the cream filling separate if possible to preserve the puff’s crispness, then fill right before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
You can freeze unfilled cream puffs by placing them on a baking sheet until solid and then transferring to a sealable bag or container. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw completely before filling with the whipped cream to avoid sogginess.
Reheating
To enjoy cream puffs with a just-baked taste, reheat unfilled puffs in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes until crisp. Never microwave filled puffs; instead, fill after they’ve warmed to maintain that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen ube instead of ube puree?
Yes! If you have frozen ube, just thaw and mash it well to a smooth consistency. Make sure it’s not watery to maintain the right dough texture and vibrant color.
Is it necessary to use room temperature eggs?
Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the dough, helping it achieve the ideal smoothness and puffiness. Cold eggs can cause the dough to seize or become lumpy.
Can I substitute heavy cream with something else?
Heavy cream is best for achieving stiff peaks and a rich texture. However, you can try whipping chilled coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative for a tropical twist.
How long do these cream puffs keep their freshness?
Filled cream puffs are best eaten within a day or two when refrigerated. The pastry tends to soften over time as the cream filling releases moisture.
Can I flavor the whipped cream differently?
Absolutely! Adding a hint of coconut extract, lemon zest, or even a splash of ube liqueur can personalize your filling and make your Ube Cream Puffs Recipe truly your own.
Final Thoughts
Making this Ube Cream Puffs Recipe is like inviting a little magic into your kitchen. Once you see how the simple ingredients transform into delicate, purple-hued puffs filled with creamy sweetness, you’ll be hooked—and your friends and family will be thanking you for sharing. So don’t hesitate: gather those ingredients and start baking your way to a beautifully bold and delicious treat today!
Print
Ube Cream Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cream puffs
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delightful recipe for Ube Cream Puffs combines the vibrant color and flavor of ube (purple yam) with classic French pâte à choux pastry. These light, airy cream puffs are filled with sweetened whipped cream infused with vanilla, making them a perfect treat for dessert or special occasions. The recipe yields 12 cream puffs in about 45 minutes, utilizing baking as the primary cooking method to achieve a golden, puffed pastry shell.
Ingredients
For the Cream Puff Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (unbleached)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup ube puree
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cream puffs.
- Make Dough Base: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and unsalted butter, stirring until the butter is fully melted. Add the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar, stirring continuously until the mixture forms a cohesive ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes. This step cooks out the raw flour flavor and readies the dough for egg incorporation.
- Incorporate Eggs and Ube Puree: Remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each to ensure a smooth, glossy dough. Fold in the ube puree until fully combined, which gives the dough its signature purple color and flavor.
- Pipe or Spoon Dough: Using a piping bag or spoon, dollop mounds of dough approximately 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. The spacing allows the puffs to expand and puff up evenly during baking.
- Bake Puffs: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the puffs are golden brown and have puffed up, indicating they are cooked through with a light interior.
- Prepare Whipped Cream Filling: While the puffs are cooling, whip the heavy cream together with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating a smooth and sweet filling.
- Fill and Finish: Once the cream puffs are completely cooled, slice the tops off carefully. Fill each puff generously with the whipped cream and replace the top lids. Optionally, dust with additional powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to blend smoothly into the dough.
- Cooling the dough slightly before adding eggs prevents them from cooking prematurely.
- Do not open the oven during the first 15 minutes of baking to prevent the puffs from collapsing.
- Use freshly whipped cream for best texture and flavor in the filling.
- Ube puree can be homemade or store-bought; ensure it is smooth for best incorporation.
