There’s something truly captivating about the moment you open your oven and are greeted by the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Today, I’m excited to share my version of Ube Levain-Style Cookies—a delightful fusion that merges the iconic chewy texture of New York’s Levain cookies with the unmistakable sweetness of ube, a cherished Filipino ingredient. Imagine vibrant purple cookies, studded with gooey white chocolate, beckoning you to take just one more bite.
After a long day, I found comfort in baking these treats; they’re not just cookies, they’re a beautiful reminder of the warmth that homemade desserts can bring. Whether you’re a novice baker ready to impress friends or a seasoned pro looking for your next sweet challenge, these cookies offer both an eye-catching presentation and an unforgettable flavor. Let’s dive into this simple yet gourmet recipe and bring a little taste of the Philippines into your kitchen!
Why Are Ube Levain-Style Cookies So Special?
Vibrant Color: The mesmerizing purple hue of ube makes these cookies visually stunning, instantly elevating any dessert spread.
Gourmet Experience: Indulge in a cookie that feels luxurious yet is simple enough for home baking.
Unique Fusion: Combining Filipino flavors with American cookie culture creates a delightful experience for your taste buds.
Easy Steps: Perfect for bakers of all levels, the straightforward instructions mean you won’t be overwhelmed in the kitchen.
Crowd-Pleasing: Impress friends and family with a sweet treat that sparks conversation and curiosity about ube.
Versatile Options: Play with variations—try different chocolate types or add nuts for a personal twist! These Ube Levain-Style Cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ube Levain-Style Cookies Ingredients
For the Cookie Base
- Cold Butter (230 g, 2 sticks) – Essential for a rich and thick texture; remember to keep it cold to prevent spreading.
- Brown Sugar (160 g) – Adds moisture and a deep, caramel flavor that enhances the cookie’s profile.
- White Sugar (160 g) – Lightens the flavor, balancing sweetness and contributing to a chewy texture.
- All-Purpose Flour (475 g) – The backbone of your cookies, providing that essential chewiness you love.
- Baking Powder (3 tsp) – This leavening agent allows your cookies to rise beautifully while maintaining that dense center.
- Salt (1 tsp) – A pinch of salt enhances sweetness and brings all the flavors together in your Ube Levain-Style Cookies.
For the Ube Flavor
- Ube Powder (25 g) – This unique ingredient gives your cookies the beloved ube taste and vibrant purple hue.
- Ube Extract (1 tsp) – Intensifies the ube flavor and adds an extra layer of purple richness.
For Binding and Moisture
- Eggs (2) and Egg Yolk (1) – These provide moisture and act as a binder, ensuring a soft, delicious center.
For Sweetness
- White Chocolate Chips (300 g) – These gooey pockets melt into your cookies, beautifully complementing the ube flavor.
With each ingredient playing an essential role, these Ube Levain-Style Cookies promise to delight your senses and bring a touch of Filipino flavor to your baking adventures!
How to Make Ube Levain-Style Cookies
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Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, ube powder, baking powder, and salt thoroughly. This step ensures your dry ingredients are well distributed for consistent flavor and texture.
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Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk your eggs and ube extract together until combined. Set this mixture aside; it will bring moisture and enhance the ube flavor in your cookies.
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Combine Butter and Sugars: Using an electric mixer, beat the cold butter until broken into small pieces, about 30-35 seconds. Add both brown and white sugars, pulsing until the mixture resembles small pebbles, roughly 40-45 seconds.
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Mix in Add-Ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; we want those gooey pockets without breaking the chips apart!
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Combine Mixtures: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir until the mixture looks sandy, then gradually incorporate the egg mixture and yolk until just combined—overmixing can lead to dense cookies!
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Form Cookies: Portion the dough into balls weighing about 165 g each, shaping them with rugged edges for a bakery-style look. Freeze these dough balls for at least 2 hours or overnight to help maintain their shape while baking.
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Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). Space 6 dough balls on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for the perfect chewy texture.
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Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for around 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This ensures they finish setting up while still retaining a chewy center.
Optional: Drizzle with a bit of melted white chocolate for an extra sweet finish!
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
Ube Levain-Style Cookies Variations
Feel free to unleash your creativity with these scrumptious cookies and tailor them to your taste buds!
- Chocolate Swap: Use dark or milk chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped macadamia nuts or cashews for delightful texture and a nutty contrast.
- Cream Cheese Twist: Mix in a cream cheese ribbon for a luscious, cheesecake-inspired experience that melds beautifully with ube.
- Ice Cream Delight: Turn these cookies into an ice cream sandwich—just add your favorite coconut or vanilla ice cream between two cookies!
- Spiced Up: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough for a warm, aromatic twist.
- Ube Bliss: Increase the ube powder to 40 g for an even bolder, more vibrant ube flavor.
- Fruit Infusion: Fold in diced tropical fruits like pineapple or mango for a burst of freshness.
- Salted Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle melted salted caramel over cooled cookies to elevate their sweetness and add a decadent touch.
With these variations, you can turn a simple cookie into an exciting centerpiece for any gathering or a special treat just for you!
What to Serve with Ube Levain-Style Cookies?
Imagine the joy of pairing your freshly baked Ube Levain-Style Cookies with delightful accompaniments, transforming your treat into an unforgettable experience.
- Cold Milk: Nothing beats the classic combination of cookies and milk. The cold, creamy texture complements the rich, sweet ube flavors beautifully.
- Black Coffee: The boldness of black coffee contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the cookies, helping to enhance the unique flavor of ube.
- Matcha Latte: This creamy, slightly bitter beverage offers a vibrant green touch, balancing the sweetness of the cookies while adding unique notes.
- Fresh Fruit Platter: Serve with tropical fruits like mangoes and pineapples. Their bright flavors and juiciness will provide a refreshing contrast to the chewy cookies.
- Coconut Ice Cream: As a luscious accompaniment, the silky texture of coconut ice cream pairs beautifully with the cookies, resulting in a delightful dessert experience.
- Caramel Dipping Sauce: Drizzling some warm caramel over your cookies introduces a buttery richness that elevates the ube flavor, creating an indulgent treat.
- Chocolate Ganache: A dollop of rich chocolate ganache adds depth and luxury, enriching each bite while making your cookies even more decadent.
- Ube Milkshake: Blend leftover cookies with milk and ice cream for an indulgent milkshake, embodying the essence of your cookies in a delicious drink form.
- Lemonade: The crisp, citrusy notes of lemonade add a refreshing and zesty contrast to the sweet and earthy flavors of the ube cookies.
- Cheese Platter: Consider pairing with a mild cheese like brie or goat cheese; the creaminess will balance out the sweetness, allowing for an adult twist on dessert.
Expert Tips for Ube Levain-Style Cookies
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Cold Butter is Key: Always use cold butter to achieve that thick, chewy texture and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies; they should have golden edges and soft centers. Pull them out just before they’re fully set for that perfect gooeyness.
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Avoid Overmixing: Mix just until combined to keep the Ube Levain-Style Cookies light and airy. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough cookie.
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Don’t Skip the Freezer: Freezing the dough before baking helps the cookies maintain their shape and results in a thicker cookie with a deliciously chewy center.
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Customize Your Sweetness: Feel free to experiment with dark or milk chocolate chips if you prefer a different flavor profile. It’s a fun way to add your personal touch!
Storage Tips for Ube Levain-Style Cookies
Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their chewy texture and flavor.
Fridge: If you’d like to keep them fresh longer, you can store in the fridge for up to 7 days. Just be sure to seal them well to prevent dryness.
Freezer: For longer storage, wrap the cookies individually in parchment paper and place them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing the delightful ube flavor.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat the cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warm. This will revive their fresh-baked goodness!
Make Ahead Options
These Ube Levain-Style Cookies are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts! You can prepare the cookie dough and freeze it for up to 3 days in advance, allowing for a fresh-baked treat whenever the craving strikes. Simply portion the dough into 165 g balls and freeze until solid. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven and place the frozen dough on a lined baking sheet; no need to thaw! Bake them directly from the freezer for about 1-2 extra minutes. This ensures you’ll enjoy the cookies just as deliciously soft and gooey, while saving precious time for busy weeknights.
Ube Levain-Style Cookies Recipe FAQs
How do I select ripe ube for my baking?
While this recipe uses ube powder and extract, if you ever find fresh ube at the market, choose firm, smooth-skinned tubers that are vibrant in color. Avoid any with dark spots or wrinkles, as these can indicate overripeness.
What is the best way to store Ube Levain-Style Cookies?
To store your cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 7 days. Just make sure to seal them tightly to maintain their chewy texture.
Can I freeze Ube Levain-Style Cookies?
Absolutely! For optimal freshness, wrap each cookie individually in parchment paper and store them in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
What should I do if my cookies spread too much during baking?
If your cookies spread excessively, check that you’re using cold butter as intended. You can also try chilling the dough longer before baking or increasing the flour slightly for a thicker dough. Don’t hesitate to adjust based on your kitchen’s temperature, too!
Are Ube Levain-Style Cookies suitable for people with allergies?
These cookies contain common allergens like gluten, dairy, and eggs. If you’re baking for someone with food sensitivities, consider using gluten-free flour and dairy alternatives. Always read ingredient labels carefully to ensure safety.
Can I substitute different types of chocolate in this recipe?
Very! If white chocolate isn’t your favorite, you can swap it out for dark or milk chocolate chips. This can enhance the cookie’s flavor profile and provide a delightful contrast to the ube. Enjoy experimenting with your favorite chocolate choices!
Ube Levain-Style Cookies: A Vibrant Filipino Delight
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, ube powder, baking powder, and salt thoroughly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk your eggs and ube extract together until combined.
- Combine Butter and Sugars: Beat the cold butter until broken into small pieces. Add both sugars and pulse until resembling small pebbles.
- Mix in Add-Ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips using a spatula.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then gradually incorporate the egg mixture until just combined.
- Form Cookies: Portion the dough into balls weighing about 165 g each and freeze for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C). Bake dough balls for 15-17 minutes.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for around 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.