Name: Ube Cake Flan Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup water; 4 large eggs (room temperature); 1 (10-oz) can condensed milk; 1 (12-oz) can evaporated milk; 1 tsp vanilla extract; pinch salt; 4 egg yolks from large eggs (room temperature); ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup canola oil (or vegetable oil); ¼ cup milk (2% skim or whole milk); 2 tsp ube extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 4 egg whites from large eggs (room temperature); 1 tsp cream of tartar; ⅓ cup granulated sugar

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If you’re looking to wow your friends or just treat yourself to a truly unforgettable dessert, this Ube Cake Flan Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s that magical combination of luscious, creamy flan seamlessly layered under a soft, fluffy purple ube cake. Not only does it taste like a dream, but its vibrant color and smooth texture make it a feast for the eyes as well. Whether you’re a longtime fan of ube or just discovering its charm, this recipe brings the best of both worlds into one show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for any celebration or cozy night in.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows two containers filled with a smooth, thick purple batter. On the left, a white round bowl contains the purple mixture with tiny bubbles giving it a light, airy texture. On the right, a square metal baking pan is filled with the same vibrant purple batter, smooth on top with small air bubbles scattered across the surface. Both containers rest on a white towel with blue stripes folded on a wooden surface. Nearby, there are three metal measuring spoons, a wooden spoon, and a metal whisk laid out flat. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Ube Cake Flan Recipe lies in using simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create something truly extraordinary. From the rich caramel syrup that forms the base to the fresh eggs and ube extract that bring flavor and color, every component plays an essential role in the harmony of taste and texture.

¾ cup granulated sugar: This is the star of the caramel syrup, providing that irresistible golden glaze with a subtle bitterness.

¼ cup water: Helps dissolve the sugar evenly to create a smooth caramel.
4 large eggs (room temperature): Fresh, room temperature eggs ensure smooth, custardy flan texture and tender cake crumb.
1 10-oz can condensed milk: Adds creamy sweetness and richness to the flan layer.

1 12-oz can evaporated milk: Brings creaminess with a lighter consistency, balancing the condensed milk.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the depth of flavor in the flan, tying the ingredients together beautifully.
Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor.
4 egg yolks (room temperature): Crucial for the soft, velvety ube cake batter.

¼ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with the golden color of the cake.
¼ cup canola oil: Keeps the cake moist; vegetable oil works just as well.
¼ cup milk: Use 2% or whole for creaminess without weighing the cake down.

2 teaspoon ube extract: The heart and soul of this recipe, providing that lovely purple color and unique ube flavor.
1 cup all-purpose flour: The base for your cake texture, sifted for lightness.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives the cake a gentle rise and airy crumb.

½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
4 egg whites (room temperature): Whipped into meringue for that tender, fluffy cake texture.
1 teaspoon cream of tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites while whipping.

⅓ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the meringue, helping it form stiff peaks.

How to Make Ube Cake Flan Recipe

Step 1: Make the Caramel Syrup

Start by combining sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan gently instead of stirring to prevent the sugar from crystallizing. Watch closely as the mixture transforms from clear syrup to a beautiful golden brown caramel. The timing here is crucial—once it’s reached the perfect amber color, quickly pour it into your pans, swirling to coat the bottoms evenly. The caramel hardens fast, so work with care and speed for that perfect base.

Step 2: Prepare the Flan Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, blend together the four whole eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk gently until everything is well combined but avoid creating too many bubbles, so the flan stays silky smooth. Set this aside while you work on the cake batter.

Step 3: Make the Ube Cake Batter

Begin by creaming the egg yolks and sugar in a separate large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the oil, milk, and vibrant ube extract, whisking until smooth. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt directly into this batter, folding gently just until combined—overmixing can make the cake dense, and that’s the last thing we want!

Step 4: Whip the Meringue

In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form. This fluffy meringue is key to giving your ube cake that luscious lightness. Carefully fold a small amount of meringue into your ube batter first to lighten it, then gently fold in the rest without deflating the mixture.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Strain the flan mixture to remove any lumps and pour it into the caramel-coated pans. Then, gently layer the ube cake batter on top—be mindful not to overfill. Place your pans into a larger roasting pan, and pour in hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of your flan pans. This water bath helps the custard cook gently without cracking. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until a tester inserted in the cake layer comes out clean and the edges start to pull away from the pan. Let them cool completely before unmolding.

How to Serve Ube Cake Flan Recipe

The image shows two white plates each holding a slice of cake with two layers: a bottom purple layer with a soft and airy texture, and a top light yellow layer that looks smooth and creamy. The cake slices are positioned in the center of each plate, placed on a dark wooden table. Two silver forks sit beside the bottom plate, crossing slightly. In the top right corner, part of the whole cake with the same two layers is visible on a white plate, resting on a white textured cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

When serving this delightful dessert, simple is often best. A dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh berries adds an elegant touch without overpowering the ube’s natural flavor. You can also top with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of sweetened coconut cream to complement the tropical vibe.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with a light cup of coffee or tea, as the bitterness balances the sweetness of the flan cake. For a more festive occasion, serve alongside tropical fruit slices like mango or pineapple to echo the velvety richness of the ube.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve individual portions in clear glasses, layering the flan and ube cake for a parfait-style treat. You can also cut the cake into squares and place small cubes on skewers interspersed with fresh fruit for a playful party presentation that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices of this Ube Cake Flan Recipe keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent the cake from drying out.

Freezing

If you must freeze, wrap individual portions well in plastic wrap and foil to protect against freezer burn. Thaw slowly in the fridge overnight before serving. Keep in mind that the texture of the flan may change slightly after freezing, so fresh is always best when possible.

Reheating

This dessert is generally best enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer a slightly warmer treat, allow it to come to room temperature before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can alter the delicate flan and cake layers.

FAQs

Can I use fresh ube instead of ube extract?

Absolutely! Fresh ube offers a wonderful natural flavor and texture. However, it requires cooking, mashing, and sometimes adjusting moisture levels, which makes the recipe more involved. The ube extract is a convenient way to get that signature flavor and vibrant color with ease.

What pans work best for baking this Ube Cake Flan Recipe?

Round cake pans or small individual molds work perfectly. Just make sure they are oven-safe and the water bath fits comfortably in your roasting pan. Glass or metal pans both work fine, so choose what you have on hand.

Why is the water bath necessary?

The water bath provides gentle, even heat around the flan and cake, preventing cracking and promoting that silky, smooth flan texture. It also helps the cake bake evenly without drying out the edges.

Can I substitute other types of milk?

Yes, you can use whole milk or 2% as suggested in the recipe. While alternatives like almond or oat milk might work, they can slightly alter flavor and texture. For best results, stick to dairy milk for the flan.

How do I know when the Ube Cake Flan is done?

Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the cake layer; it should come out clean when done. Also, observe that the edges of the cake start pulling away from the pan. The flan should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center for perfect creaminess.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Ube Cake Flan Recipe enough for anyone who loves desserts that are as delightful to make as they are to eat. The combination of silky flan and soft, colorful ube cake creates a dessert experience that feels special but is surprisingly simple to prepare. I hope you enjoy sharing this gem with your loved ones as much as I do! Happy baking!

Ube Cake Flan Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need