Ube Puto Recipe: How to Make This Filipino Steamed Rice Cake at Home
A Simple Guide to Making Soft, Sweet, and Flavorful Ube Puto from Scratch
I’ve always loved Filipino food, and Ube Puto is one of those classic snacks that’s both simple and satisfying. If you’ve never tried it, it’s a steamed rice cake with a soft, slightly chewy texture and a mild sweetness, thanks to ube (purple yam). It’s a common treat in the Philippines, often paired with savory dishes or enjoyed as a snack on its own.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to make Ube Puto from scratch. I’ll walk you through the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and some useful tips to get the best results. I’ll also share variations, ingredient swaps, and serving ideas so you can make it your own.
Whether you’re familiar with Filipino food or trying it for the first time, this guide will help you make a batch of delicious Ube Puto recipe at home.
What is Ube Puto?
Ube Puto is a perfect example of how Filipino food has evolved over time, blending the classic “puto“ with the rich, vibrant flavor of “ube” – a staple in Filipino culture.
Puto, which comes from the Malay word “puttu” (meaning “portioned”), refers to its small, bite-sized shape. While puto itself dates back to pre-colonial times as a simple steamed rice cake, Ube Puto is a more recent creation . It emerged as Filipinos started adding ube, a sweet purple yam, into their favorite desserts.
Adding ube to puto brought a unique taste and a striking purple color that made the humble puto stand out. This innovation likely took off during or after the Spanish colonial period, when new baking techniques were introduced, giving Filipino sweets a creative boost.
Today, ube extract or halaya (ube jam) is often used to enhance both the flavor and appearance of Ube Puto. You’ll often find it served at family gatherings and community celebrations , showcasing how food brings people together.
Ube Puto Recipe
Ube Puto is a simple Filipino steamed rice cake with a bright purple color from ube (purple yam). Enjoy it as a snack or dessert!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Yields: 12 pieces
Equipment
- A steamer (or a pot with a steamer basket)
- 12 Puto molds, ramekins, or silicone muffin cups
- 2 large mixing bowls
- A whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A rubber spatula
- A fine-mesh sieve (optional, to remove lumps)
- A toothpick
Ube Puto Ingredients
*Links to the Ube Puto ingredients will take you to Amazon.
- 2 cups rice flour (sifted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk (fresh or evaporated)
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1/4 cup melted butter or oil
- 1 large egg
- (Optional) 1/2 teaspoon ube extract for a stronger ube flavor
- (Optional toppings) Cheese, salted egg, or grated coconut
How to prepare
- Prepare the Steamer: Fill your steamer or pot with water (making sure the water won’t touch the molds) and bring it to a boil.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir well.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, ube halaya, and ube extract (if using).
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth. If you see any lumps, you may pass the batter through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Fill the Molds: Lightly grease your puto molds or line them with cupcake liners. Pour the batter into each mold, filling them about 3/4 full. If you like, add a small cube of cheese or your chosen topping on top.
- Steam the Puto: Place the molds in the steamer basket, leaving space between them for the steam to circulate. Cover the steamer with a lid (you can lay a clean kitchen towel under the lid to catch any water drops) and steam for 15–20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Once done, remove the molds from the steamer and let the puto cool for a few minutes. Then, carefully remove them from the molds. Enjoy your ube puto warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
- Mixing: Stir the batter gently to keep the puto soft.
- Mold Preparation: Grease the molds well to help the puto come out easily.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat by steaming briefly.
- Flour: While traditional recipes use rice flour, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour for a softer texture. However, using all-purpose flour may result in a different consistency, as rice flour is gluten-free and contributes to the unique texture of traditional puto.
- Eggs: For a vegan version, eggs can be substituted with flax eggs (a mixture of ground flaxseed and water) or other egg replacers.
- Sugar: Alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar or muscovado sugar can be used to add a different depth of sweetness.
- Milk: Instead of regular milk, you can use coconut milk to impart a richer, tropical flavor to the puto.
Ube Puto Variations
Here are some simple variations you can try:
- Cheesy Topping: Instead of plain puto, add a small cube of cheese or sprinkle shredded cheese on top before steaming.
- Coconut Twist: Replace regular milk with coconut milk for a creamier, tropical flavor. You can also garnish with grated coconut once cooked.
- Extra Ube Flavor: Boost the ube taste by adding a bit more ube extract or mixing in extra mashed ube.
- Mini Puto: Use smaller molds or silicone muffin cups to make bite-sized puto, which are perfect for parties or snacks.
- Layered Design: Try swirling a bit of extra ube halaya into the batter before steaming for a pretty, marbled look.
- Vegan Option: Replace the egg with a flaxseeds (1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use plant-based milk.
Ube Puto Nutritional Facts Per Serving
Ube Puto offers a reasonable amount of carbohydrates and is relatively low in calories. Just keep in mind that Ube Puto’s nutritonal facts vary depending on the specific recipe and serving size. Plus, these values are approximate and can change based on the ingredients and portion sizes used in different recipes.
- Calories: Approximately 45 to 100 calories per piece.
- Carbohydrates: Around 8.6 to 21 grams per serving.
- Fat: Approximately 0 to 1.1 grams per serving.
- Protein: Roughly 0.5 to 4 grams per serving.
How to Serve Ube Puto
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Ube Puto, whether as a simple snack or paired with other dishes.
Some people like to eat it as is, while others like to add a little extra flavor. You can drizzle some sweetened condensed milk on top or spread a bit of butter while it’s still warm.
If you want to make it look nice for guests, arrange the puto on a plate with fresh berries or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
In the Philippines, puto is often served with savory dishes. It goes great with dinuguan (a pork blood stew) or pancit (Filipino noodle dishes) because the sweetness of the puto balances out the salty, rich flavors. If you want to get creative, you can also serve it with small pulled pork sliders or chicken adobo skewers.
For drinks, Ube Puto pairs well with hot chocolate or Filipino coffee (kapeng barako). If you want something cold, iced tea or calamansi juice (a citrus drink) are refreshing options.
If you’re making Ube Puto for guests, you can adjust the size depending on the occasion. Smaller pieces work well for parties, while bigger ones make a great dessert or snack. No matter how you serve it, it’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy a classic Filipino treat.
Final Thoughts
Making ube puto isn’t just about following a recipe—it’s about enjoying a classic Filipino treat and making it your own. Whether you stick to the basics or experiment with different toppings and flavors, there’s plenty of room to get creative.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness, try new ingredients, or even put your own twist on how you serve it. Cooking should be fun, and this recipe is a great way to explore Filipino flavors while adding a personal touch.
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you enjoy the process and share something delicious with the people around you.
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