Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

If you have a soft spot for desserts that combine rich creaminess with vibrant color and flavor, then this Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe is about to become your new obsession. This delightful Filipino treat masterfully layers silky leche flan with moist, purple yam-infused cake, creating a heavenly fusion of textures and tastes that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate. Every bite offers a perfect balance of sweet, creamy custard and tender ube cake, making it an unforgettable showstopper for any occasion or cozy night in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe calls for simple, essential ingredients that work beautifully together to deliver its signature flavor and texture. Each item has an important role, from the creamy milks and fresh eggs that create the luscious flan, to the bright purple ube and velvety butter that make the cake so irresistibly moist and fragrant.

• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds the rich sweetness and creamy texture essential for the leche flan layer.
• Evaporated milk: Creamy but less sweet, this balances the condensed milk perfectly within the custard.
• Egg yolks: The key to a smooth, silky leche flan custard that holds its shape magnificently.
• Vanilla extract: A subtle flavor enhancer for both the flan and the cake layers.
• Granulated sugar (for caramel and cake): Used for making a luscious caramel base and sweetening the cake batter.
• All-purpose flour: The structural foundation of the ube cake that keeps it tender yet firm.
• Baking powder: Gives the cake a gentle rise and light crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates other flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to create a rich batter with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Large eggs: Added to the cake batter to provide moisture and help with structure.
• Ube halaya (mashed purple yam): Offers that unmistakable earthy sweetness and stunning purple hue.
• Whole milk: Keeps the cake batter moist and tender.
• Ube extract (or ube powder): Intensifies the vibrant purple color and enhances the ube flavor.

How to Make Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel for Leche Flan

Start by melting granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat while stirring constantly. Watch closely as it transforms into a beautiful golden caramel — this is the base flavor that will coat the bottom of your cake pan and provide that irresistible caramelized sweetness. Once ready, pour it evenly into your 9-inch round cake pan and let it cool while you prepare the flan mixture.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Leche Flan Mixture

In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully blended and smooth. Pour this luscious custard mixture over the cooled caramel in the cake pan. This layer needs to set gently beneath the cake batter, so just set it aside for now.

Step 3: Prepare the Oven and Dry Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. These dry ingredients will ensure your ube cake has the perfect lightness and texture.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar for the Cake

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step aerates the batter and helps create that tender crumb we all love in a homemade cake.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients and Ube

Add the eggs to the creamed butter mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition to keep the batter smooth. Then mix in vanilla extract, ube halaya, and ube extract. The ube ingredients give the cake its vibrant color and that signature earthy, sweet flavor that’s truly iconic.

Step 6: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and whole milk into the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry mix. Stir gently until the batter is velvety smooth, making sure not to overmix, which keeps the cake tender and soft.

Step 7: Assemble Your Ube Leche Flan Cake

Carefully pour the ube cake batter over the leche flan mixture already resting in the cake pan. Use a spatula to gently spread the batter evenly across the surface. This careful layering ensures every slice will showcase the beautiful contrast between flan and cake.

Step 8: Bake Using a Water Bath

Place the cake pan inside a larger roasting pan and pour hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan. This water bath method gently and evenly cooks the flan layer while keeping it silky smooth. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out clean and the flan is nicely set.

Step 9: Cool and Chill the Cake

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to let the layers fully set and the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 10: Unmold and Serve

Run a knife around the edges of the cake pan to loosen it, then place a serving plate on top and carefully flip the cake over. The caramel will drip down over the ube cake, creating an eye-catching glaze that invites you to dive right in.

How to Serve Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe

Garnishes

To elevate your Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe, try topping it with a few elegant garnishes. Freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the dense cake. Toasted coconut flakes provide a delightful crunch and a tropical twist that pairs wonderfully with the ube flavor. A sprinkle of chopped pistachios imparts a beautiful color contrast and nutty flavor that delights the senses.

Side Dishes

This cake shines as the star dessert, so pair it with simple side dishes. A cup of hot brewed coffee or classic Filipino tsokolate (hot chocolate) perfectly complements the sweetness while balancing the creaminess. Fresh tropical fruits like mangoes or pineapple slices bring a refreshing burst to the palate when enjoyed alongside a slice of this rich treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, serve individual slices garnished with edible flowers or a drizzle of ube syrup for added flair. Another fun presentation is to layer small servings of cake in clear glasses, alternating chunks of cake and leche flan with whipped cream and fresh berries for a dessert parfait version. Friends and family will be wowed by both the taste and the presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Ube Leche Flan Cake keeps beautifully covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure to seal it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent the cake from absorbing refrigerator odors.

Freezing

If you want to save the cake for longer, it freezes well. Slice the cake first, then wrap each piece securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. This way, you can enjoy your favorite Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe anytime without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

Because this cake is best enjoyed chilled, there is generally no need to reheat. However, if you prefer it at room temperature, simply leave slices out for about 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving as it may disrupt the smooth texture of the flan layer.

FAQs

What is ube and how does it taste?

Ube is a purple yam popular in Filipino desserts, known for its vibrant color and mildly sweet, nutty flavor with subtle earthy undertones. It adds a unique taste and beautiful purple hue to the cake.

Can I use ube powder instead of ube halaya?

Yes, ube powder is a great alternative if you don’t have access to ube halaya. Just rehydrate the powder with milk or water according to package instructions to get a similar flavor and texture.

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

The water bath gently cooks the cake, ensuring the leche flan custard sets smoothly without cracking or curdling, while keeping the cake moist and tender.

How do I know when the cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the ube cake part; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs. The flan layer will be set but still tender and slightly jiggly when gently shaken.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

This recipe relies on dairy for the flan and cake’s signature richness and texture, but you can experiment with coconut milk and dairy-free butter substitutes. Keep in mind, results may differ in taste and consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Ube Leche Flan Cake Recipe is truly a magical treat that combines the best of two beloved desserts in one beautiful cake. Its creamy layers, vibrant color, and delicious flavor make it a dessert worth making for special occasions or simply to brighten your day. I can’t recommend enough that you give this unique cake a try — once you do, it just might become your new favorite go-to dessert too!

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