Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

If you have a soft spot for desserts that combine creamy richness with vibrant colors and delightful textures, you’re in for a treat with this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe. This Filipino-inspired masterpiece layers a luscious, silky leche flan atop a moist, fluffy ube cake, creating a harmonious marriage of flavors that dance on your palate. With the sweet caramelized base and the enchanting purple yam’s earthy essence, each bite feels like a celebration. Whether you’re hosting a special occasion or simply craving a sweet escape, this recipe promises to impress and satisfy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe are straightforward but essential, each bringing its magic to the overall flavor, texture, and color. From the rich condensed milk that adds creamy sweetness to the vivid ube halaya giving the cake its distinctive purple hue, every component plays a vital role.

• Sweetened condensed milk: Provides a thick, sugary creaminess that forms the leche flan base.
• Evaporated milk: Adds smoothness to the custard while balancing sweetness.
• Large egg yolks: Essential for a rich, silky leche flan texture.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
• Granulated sugar (for caramel): Creates the golden, glossy caramel layer that’s irresistibly sweet and slightly nutty.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the soft, sturdy foundation of the ube cake.
• Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises to a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavors.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness to the cake batter.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the ube cake while contributing to its tender crumb.
• Large eggs: Bind the cake and provide structure and moisture.
• Ube halaya (mashed purple yam): The heart of the cake, lending its vibrant color and earthy sweetness.
• Whole milk: Keeps the cake batter smooth and moist.
• Ube extract (or ube powder): Intensifies the purple yam flavor and color for that iconic look.

How to Make Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel for Leche Flan

Begin by melting the granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep stirring as it slowly transforms into a golden caramel – this step requires patience but watching sugar turn into liquid gold is truly mesmerizing. Be careful not to burn it as this caramel will form the beautiful, shiny base that balances the dessert’s sweetness perfectly.

Step 2: Coat the Cake Pan with Caramel

Pour that luscious caramel immediately into the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan. Quickly swirl the pan to spread the caramel evenly before it hardens. This delicate caramel layer will become the top once the cake is inverted, adding both flavor and stunning presentation.

Step 3: Whisk the Leche Flan Mixture

In a large bowl, gently whisk together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mixture will set into a silky leche flan custard that melts in your mouth, creating a beautiful contrast with the ube cake.

Step 4: Pour Leche Flan Mixture Over Caramel

Carefully pour the leche flan mixture over the set caramel layer in your cake pan. Set this aside as you prepare the ube cake batter. This layering ensures the flan will stay luxuriously dense and soft beneath the spongy ube cake.

Step 5: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is key to achieving the perfect rise and texture in your ube cake. The oven’s warmth will gently bake the layers together, allowing flavors to meld.

Step 6: Mix Dry Ingredients for the Cake

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This dry mix will provide the structure that supports the moist ube batter without weighing it down.

Step 7: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, yielding a tender cake crumb and adding richness to your final creation.

Step 8: Add Eggs and Ube Flavors

Beat in eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in vanilla extract, ube halaya, and ube extract. These ingredients infuse the batter with that unmistakable earthy sweetness and vibrant purple color that make this cake so special.

Step 9: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with whole milk. Mix gently until the batter is smooth and homogenous. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender and light.

Step 10: Assemble the Cake Layers

Carefully pour the ube cake batter over the leche flan layer in the cake pan. Spread the batter evenly to ensure an even rise and flawless layering.

Step 11: Prepare a Water Bath for Baking

Place the cake pan inside a larger roasting pan, then pour hot water into the larger pan, filling it until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. This water bath prevents the custard from curdling and ensures gentle, even baking.

Step 12: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the flan feels set yet jiggly. Watching this transformation is pure joy, as two distinct layers come together into one stunning dessert.

Step 13: Cool and Chill

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to let the leche flan set fully and meld with the ube cake.

Step 14: Unmold Your Masterpiece

Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, cover the pan with a serving plate, and flip it carefully. The caramel will gleam atop a perfectly layered purple cake, ready to wow anyone lucky enough to dig in.

Step 15: Serve and Savor

Slice chilled and enjoy the luscious, creamy layers that make this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe unforgettable. Each forkful is a celebration of Filipino flavor and comforting sweetness.

How to Serve Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Garnishes

To elevate your presentation, try topping slices with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes, a dollop of whipped cream, or a few fresh berries. These add a delightful contrast in texture and a pop of freshness that complements the dense, creamy layers beautifully.

Side Dishes

Because the cake is rich and sweet, pairing it with light, refreshing drinks works best. A cup of hot black coffee, or a glass of cold milk, balances flavors perfectly. For festive gatherings, try serving alongside traditional Filipino snacks or fresh tropical fruits for an exotic twist.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not serve individual portions in pretty glass jars to show off the layers? Or cut the cake into bite-sized squares for a buffet or party platter. You can even use edible flowers for a touch of elegance that sparkles as bright as the purple yam in the cake itself.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This cake holds moisture well, but keeping it chilled in an airtight container maintains the flan’s creamy texture and the cake’s softness.

Freezing

While freezing this cake is possible, it’s best done with single slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge to preserve texture, though the custard layer may soften slightly after thawing.

Reheating

For best enjoyment, serve the cake cold from the fridge. If you prefer it a bit warmer, briefly allow it to sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the custard’s smoothness and cake’s crumb.

FAQs

Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya in the Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! Ube powder is a convenient alternative that intensifies color and flavor. Just rehydrate it according to the package instructions and adjust the liquid in the recipe slightly to maintain the right batter consistency.

Why is a water bath necessary when baking this cake?

The water bath provides gentle, even heat that prevents the leche flan from curdling or cracking while baking. It also helps create that silky custard texture which is essential for this layered cake.

Can I use an electric mixer for the batter?

Yes, using an electric mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar easier and ensures a smooth batter. Just be mindful not to overmix when combining the dry and wet ingredients to keep your cake tender.

How long should I chill the cake before serving?

Chilling the cake for at least 3 hours is recommended to allow the flan to set properly and the flavors to meld beautifully. Overnight chilling yields the best texture and flavor balance.

Is the caramel layer sweet or bitter?

The caramel layer should be golden brown, striking a perfect balance between sweet and slightly nutty bitterness. Avoid letting it burn or become too dark, as that will introduce unpleasant bitterness.

Final Thoughts

This Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s a joyful experience you get to share with loved ones. The vibrant purple hues paired with silky custard and sweet caramel make every slice a feast for the eyes and the soul. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and dive into making this unforgettable cake — it might just become your new favorite!

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