Coconut Ube Rolls Recipe

Dreamy Coconut Ube Rolls Recipe: A Sweet Purple Paradise

Sweet dreams start with these magical coconut ube rolls that combine tropical flavors in a spectacular dessert.

Delicate purple yam meets creamy coconut in a match made in culinary heaven.

Soft and pillowy textures melt together, creating a sensational treat that feels like a warm hug.

Filipino-inspired pastries rarely look this stunning or taste this incredible.

Each bite promises a journey through rich, velvety layers of unexpected delight.

Hints of vanilla and subtle sweetness dance across your palate with every wonderful morsel.

Bake these rolls and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.

Things to Enjoy in Coconut Ube Rolls

  • Craft Unique Flavors: Blend the vibrant purple ube with tropical coconut for an extraordinary taste experience that breaks away from traditional sweet rolls.
  • Impress with Minimal Effort: Surprisingly simple steps create a gourmet-looking dessert that appears more complicated than it actually is, perfect for home bakers of all skill levels.
  • Create Memorable Moments: These rolls transform an ordinary gathering into a special occasion, offering a delightful conversation starter with their stunning purple color and rich cultural fusion.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert, these rolls appeal to both kids and adults with their sweet, comforting texture and exciting flavor combination.

Coconut Ube Rolls Ingredients

Dough Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for the soft roll texture.
  • Yeast: Helps the dough rise and develop flavor.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps yeast activation.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
  • Butter: Provides richness and moisture.
  • Eggs: Adds structure and richness to the dough.
  • Warm Milk: Activates yeast and adds softness.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Ube Halaya: Purple yam spread that gives unique color and flavor.
  • Grated Coconut: Adds tropical texture and crunch.
  • Sugar: Provides extra sweetness in the filling.
Topping and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Coconut Cream, Shredded Coconut: Enhances coconut flavor and provides visual appeal.
  • Sugar: For sprinkling on top for caramelization.

Coconut Ube Rolls – Baking Guide

Step 1: Activate The Yeast

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let the mixture sit quietly until it becomes wonderfully foamy and frothy, which takes around 5 minutes.

Step 2: Create The Soft Dough

Combine flour, sugar, salt, melted butter, eggs, and:
  • Ube halaya

Mix everything thoroughly until ingredients blend seamlessly. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead with gentle, consistent motions until the texture becomes silky smooth, approximately 10 minutes.

Step 3: Allow First Rise

Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, drape a clean kitchen towel over the top, and place in a cozy, warm location. Allow the dough to expand and rise until its volume doubles, which typically takes about 1 hour.

Step 4: Craft The Filling

Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape. Generously spread remaining ube halaya across the surface, then sprinkle:
  • Grated coconut
  • Sugar

Step 5: Shape And Second Rise

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, slice into individual rolls, and arrange them in a baking dish. Cover and let the rolls puff up for approximately 30 minutes.

Step 6: Bake And Finish

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Gently brush the rolls with coconut cream and dust with sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Finish by garnishing with delicate shredded coconut.

Hints for Coconut Ube Rolls

  • Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure warm milk is precisely between 100-110°F to successfully activate yeast without killing it, creating a soft and fluffy texture.
  • Knead with Confidence: Work the dough on a lightly floured surface, using the heel of your hand to develop gluten and create a smooth, elastic consistency.
  • Control Moisture Balance: Add ube halaya gradually to prevent the dough from becoming too wet, maintaining the right elasticity for perfect rolls.
  • Maximize Rising Potential: Place dough in a draft-free, warm area like a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water to help it rise evenly and quickly.
  • Enhance Flavor Layers: Spread filling ingredients evenly and roll tightly to ensure each bite contains a perfect balance of ube, coconut, and sweet sugar notes.

Coconut Ube Rolls: Storage Advice You’ll Appreciate

  • Store cooled rolls in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
  • Place rolls in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Warm in microwave for 20-30 seconds or in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Brush with additional coconut cream for extra softness.
  • Transfer from freezer to refrigerator overnight. Warm in oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning.

Coconut Ube Rolls Match Ideas

  • Tropical Tea Pairing: Brew a refreshing lemongrass or ginger tea to complement the sweet and creamy ube rolls, enhancing the tropical coconut flavors and cutting through the richness.
  • Sweet Wine Companion: Choose a moscato or late-harvest riesling with light sweetness that matches the dessert-like quality of the rolls without overwhelming their delicate ube and coconut notes.
  • Creamy Coconut Drink: Prepare a cold coconut horchata or coconut milk smoothie that echoes the coconut theme and provides a cool, smooth contrast to the warm, freshly baked rolls.
  • Dessert Coffee Match: Serve with a light Vietnamese-style iced coffee or a smooth cappuccino, which will balance the sweetness and add a subtle caffeinated complement to the pastry.

Ube Roll Style Variations

  • Gluten-Free Ube Coconut Rolls: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
  • Vegan Ube Coconut Rolls: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.
  • Keto-Friendly Version: Swap traditional flour with almond flour or coconut flour, use sugar substitute, and incorporate cream cheese in filling for a low-carb adaptation.

FAQs

  • What is ube halaya and where can I find it?

Ube halaya is a sweet purple yam jam popular in Filipino cuisine. You can find it in Asian grocery stores, international markets, or make it at home by cooking and mashing purple yams with sugar and milk.

  • Can I substitute ube halaya if I can't find it?

Yes, you can use ube extract or purple sweet potato puree as alternatives. The flavor and color will be slightly different, but still delicious.

  • Is this recipe considered a breakfast or dessert item?

These coconut ube rolls are versatile and can be enjoyed as a sweet breakfast pastry, afternoon snack, or dessert. They’re perfect with coffee or tea.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these rolls?

You’ll need basic baking tools like a mixing bowl, rolling pin, baking dish, and standard kitchen measuring cups and spoons. A stand mixer can help with kneading, but it’s not mandatory.

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Coconut Ube Rolls Recipe

Coconut Ube Rolls Recipe


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4.6 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Creamy coconut ube rolls bring Philippines’ sweetest flavor fusion to your dessert table. Rich purple yam swirls through buttery dough, creating a delightful treat that transports you to tropical bakery bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup ube halaya
  • 1 cup grated coconut

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup coconut cream

Sweeteners and Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by gently dissolving it in warm milk, allowing the mixture to bloom and become frothy for approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Create a soft, pliable dough by combining flour, sugar, salt, melted butter, eggs, and half the ube halaya. Knead the mixture thoroughly on a lightly dusted surface until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest in a draft-free, warm environment until it doubles in volume, which typically takes around 60 minutes.
  4. Gently roll out the expanded dough into a rectangular shape, spreading the remaining ube halaya across the surface with careful, even strokes.
  5. Evenly distribute grated coconut and a sprinkle of sugar over the ube-covered dough, ensuring complete coverage.
  6. Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, using a sharp knife to slice into uniform rolls of equal thickness.
  7. Arrange the rolled segments in a prepared baking dish, allowing slight space between each piece for expansion.
  8. Cover the rolls and permit a second rising period, waiting until they appear puffy and slightly increased in size, approximately 30 minutes.
  9. Preheat the oven to 350°F while preparing the rolls for baking.
  10. Delicately brush the rolls with coconut cream and dust with an additional layer of sugar.
  11. Bake until golden brown and fragrant, typically 25-30 minutes.
  12. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh shredded coconut for an elegant, textural finish.

Notes

  • Activate yeast in lukewarm milk, ensuring it’s not too hot to prevent killing the yeast culture.
  • Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a soft and stretchy texture for tender rolls.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help yeast activate evenly and promote consistent dough rising.
  • Customize filling by adjusting sweetness levels or experimenting with alternative spreads like mango jam or cream cheese for diverse flavor profiles.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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