Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of a dessert that beautifully marries the rich creaminess of leche flan with the vibrant, sweet earthiness of ube, then this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe is exactly what your taste buds have been waiting for. This unique Filipino treat layers a luscious purple yam cake atop a smooth, silky flan, all crowned with a glossy caramel topping. It’s like a little slice of heaven in every bite, perfect for celebrations or just a special day treat that feels indulgent yet comforting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe is both simple and exciting. Each component plays a vital role, from the velvety flan base to the moist and colorful ube cake that sits on top, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds luscious sweetness and creaminess to the leche flan layer.
• Evaporated milk: Creates the perfect silky texture for the flan.
• Egg yolks: Essential for that rich, custard-like consistency in the leche flan.
• Vanilla extract: Brings a subtle aromatic warmth to both flan and cake layers.
• Granulated sugar (for caramel): Melts into a golden, slightly bitter caramel glaze that contrasts beautifully with the sweet layers.
• All-purpose flour: The base flour ensures a tender but sturdy cake structure.
• Baking powder: Leavens the cake for a light and airy texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake batter.
• Granulated sugar (for cake): Sweetens the cake batter to perfection.
• Large eggs: Bind the cake ingredients while lending richness.
• Ube halaya (mashed purple yam): Packed with authentic ube flavor and vibrant purple color.
• Whole milk: Keeps the cake batter smooth and tender.
• Ube extract (or ube powder): Boosts the ube’s distinctive flavor and intense purple hue.

How to Make Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel

First up, melt the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it transforms into a beautiful golden caramel. This will form the sweet, glossy base of your leche flan, offering a perfect contrast to the creamy custard and vibrant cake layers.

Step 2: Coat the Pan with Caramel

Pour the hot caramel immediately into the bottom of your 9-inch round cake pan, tilting it so the caramel coats the base evenly. This step guarantees a luscious caramel topping when you invert your cake at the end.

Step 3: Prepare the Leche Flan Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth. This creates the creamy custard layer that will sit beneath the ube cake — pure comfort in custard form.

Step 4: Pour Leche Flan Base into the Pan

Gently pour the leche flan mixture over the set caramel in your cake pan, making sure it layers evenly. Set it aside while you prepare the cake batter; trust me, this layering will be the star of the show.

Step 5: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). A properly preheated oven is key to baking this gorgeous layered cake to perfection.

Step 6: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple step ensures your cake has even rising and that every bite is buttery soft.

Step 7: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aerates the batter, giving the cake a tender crumb.

Step 8: Add Eggs and Ube Flavors

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, vibrant ube halaya, and ube extract for that unmistakable purple yam goodness.

Step 9: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk to your wet mixture, blending just until smooth. This careful folding keeps the batter light and the flavors beautifully balanced.

Step 10: Assemble the Cake

Slowly pour the ube cake batter over the leche flan base in the cake pan, spreading it evenly using a spatula. This creates the iconic layered look that everyone will adore.

Step 11: Set Up the Water Bath

Place your cake pan inside a larger roasting pan, then pour hot water around it, filling halfway up the sides of the cake pan. This water bath cooks the flan gently and evenly without cracking, resulting in that silky custard every time.

Step 12: Bake the Cake

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the flan layer is firm. Patience here means perfect texture.

Step 13: Cool and Chill

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then pop it into the refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. This helps the layers set beautifully and makes unmolding a breeze.

Step 14: Unmold the Cake

Run a knife around the edges, place a serving plate on top, and carefully flip the cake over. Watch the caramel sauce drip tantalizingly over the ube cake—pure magic.

Step 15: Serve and Enjoy!

Slice generous pieces, serve chilled, and bask in the rich flavors of the Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe. Every bite is an unforgettable celebration of Filipino dessert tradition.

How to Serve Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Garnishes

A simple garnish of toasted coconut flakes or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate your Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe to new heights. These add texture and a fresh element, making each bite even more delightful.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with fresh tropical fruits like ripe mango slices or sweetened jackfruit to complement the rich custard and ube notes. A light brewed tea or Filipino coffee also helps cut through the richness and refresh the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve individual portions in clear glasses layered with extra leche flan and ube cake crumbs, or try mini versions baked in ramekins for a charming dessert platter. Presentation is all about making your Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe feel personal and special!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe should be covered tightly and refrigerated. It keeps wonderfully for up to 4 days, allowing you to savor its rich flavors a little bit at a time without losing that fresh-from-the-oven magic.

Freezing

This cake freezes well if wrapped snugly in plastic wrap and foil, lasting up to a month. When ready, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator to preserve the delicate texture and luscious flavor.

Reheating

Since this dessert is best enjoyed chilled, it’s ideal to serve it straight from the fridge. If you prefer, allow the slices to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly before serving for a more decadent mouthfeel.

FAQs

Can I use ube powder instead of ube extract?

Absolutely! Ube powder is a great alternative if you don’t have ube extract. Just adjust amounts according to the brand’s instructions to achieve that vivid purple color and signature flavor.

What pan is best for making this cake?

A 9-inch round cake pan works perfectly, especially when paired with a larger roasting pan for the water bath. This setup ensures even cooking and the perfect flan texture.

Why do we use a water bath when baking this cake?

The water bath gently surrounds the cake pan with moist heat, preventing the flan from cracking or curdling. It’s the secret to achieving that creamy, custard-like consistency.

Can I substitute the ube halaya with fresh ube?

Fresh ube can be used, but it requires steaming and mashing beforehand, and the texture may slightly differ. Ube halaya is convenient and delivers consistent flavor and smoothness.

How long should the cake chill before serving?

Chilling for at least 3 hours is important to let the layers set properly. For best results, refrigerate overnight to enhance the flavors and make slicing easier.

Final Thoughts

This Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of vibrant Filipino flavors wrapped in a creamy, sweet package that’s sure to impress anyone lucky enough to share it. Don’t be intimidated by the steps; with a bit of love and patience, you’ll create a show-stopping treat that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat. Go ahead, dive into this delicious adventure and make your next gathering unforgettable!

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