Delicious Purple Yam Cookies: A Simple Homemade Recipe

There's something truly magical about the vibrant purple hue of ube (purple yam) that transforms ordinary desserts into extraordinary treats. These purple yam cookies aren't just a feast for the eyes—they deliver a subtly sweet, nutty flavor that's utterly addictive. Whether you're already a fan of this Filipino staple ingredient or curious to try something new, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

What Makes Purple Yam (Ube) Special?

Ube, pronounced "oo-beh," is a purple yam native to the Philippines and has been a staple in Filipino desserts for generations. Unlike purple sweet potatoes, ube has a deeper purple color and a more distinct flavor profile that's mildly sweet with vanilla-like notes. Its natural vibrant color has made it increasingly popular in Western baking in recent years.

Beyond its striking appearance, ube is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The compounds that give ube its purple color—anthocyanins—are the same beneficial antioxidants found in blueberries and other purple foods. This makes these cookies not just delicious but also a treat you can feel a little better about enjoying.

Ube vs. Taro: Understanding the Difference

Ube is often confused with taro, another root vegetable used in Asian cuisine. While both can create purple-hued desserts, they're distinctly different ingredients. Taro is lighter in color (often white with purple specks) and has a more starchy, potato-like flavor. Ube, on the other hand, is vibrantly purple throughout and offers that distinctive sweet, vanilla-like taste that makes these cookies so special.

Health Benefits of Purple Yam

Beyond their delightful taste and eye-catching color, purple yam cookies offer some surprising health benefits. Ube contains significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. The anthocyanins that give ube its purple color are powerful antioxidants that help fight inflammation and may contribute to heart health.

For those with digestive sensitivities, you'll be pleased to know that this recipe can be easily adapted to be gut-friendly. Many people with sensitive digestive systems find that traditional cookies can trigger symptoms, but these purple yam cookies can be made with ingredients that are gentler on the stomach.

Gut-Friendly Adaptations

If you're following a low FODMAP diet or have digestive concerns, you can still enjoy these delicious cookies with a few simple modifications. Using gluten-free flour and ensuring your other ingredients are low FODMAP can make these treats suitable for sensitive stomachs. For those looking to boost the nutritional profile even further, you might consider adding a small amount of Casa de Sante's low FODMAP certified protein powder to the dough. Their gut-friendly protein powders blend seamlessly into baked goods, adding protein without compromising on taste or texture—perfect for those managing IBS or other digestive conditions while still wanting to enjoy homemade treats.

Finding Purple Yam for Your Cookies

Before diving into the baking process, you'll need to source your purple yam. While fresh ube can be difficult to find outside of Asian markets, there are several convenient alternatives that work beautifully in these cookies.

Fresh vs. Processed Options

Fresh ube requires quite a bit of preparation—peeling, boiling, and mashing—before it can be used in baking. For convenience, many bakers opt for ube halaya (purple yam jam), ube extract, or ube powder. Ube halaya provides the most authentic flavor and moisture to the cookies, while ube extract offers color and flavor without additional moisture. Ube powder, which is simply dehydrated and ground purple yam, can be reconstituted with a little water to create a paste similar to ube halaya.

Asian grocery stores are your best bet for finding these ingredients, but many mainstream supermarkets are beginning to stock ube products in their international aisles. Online retailers also offer a wide selection of ube products that can be delivered right to your door.

Making Your Own Ube Halaya

If you're feeling ambitious and can find fresh ube, making your own ube halaya can be a rewarding process. The homemade version typically involves boiling and mashing the purple yam, then cooking it with condensed milk and butter until it forms a thick, spreadable jam. This homemade halaya can be used not only in these cookies but in numerous other desserts as well.

Low FODMAP Purple Yam Cookie Recipe

The Perfect Cookie Base

The base of these cookies is a simple butter cookie dough that allows the unique flavor of ube to shine through. The texture strikes the perfect balance—crisp around the edges yet tender in the center. The addition of a small amount of almond extract complements the natural vanilla notes in the ube, creating a complex yet harmonious flavor profile.

Here's my tried-and-tested recipe for these beautiful purple treats that's also gentle on sensitive stomachs:

Low FODMAP Ube Cookies Recipe

Description: Vibrant purple cookies with a delicate vanilla-like flavor and a perfect tender-crisp texture. These eye-catching treats are naturally colored by purple yam and adapted to be gentle on sensitive digestive systems.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or 3 tablespoons ube powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Casa de Sante vanilla protein powder (optional, for added protein)
• White chocolate chips or white sesame seeds for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, and protein powder (if using). Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Beat in the egg until well incorporated, then add the ube halaya (or reconstituted ube powder), vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix until the color is uniform and vibrant purple.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor development).
6. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
8. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass. If desired, press a few white chocolate chips or sesame seeds on top of each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly soft.
10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Yield: About 24 cookies

Cuisine: Filipino-inspired

Tips for Perfect Purple Yam Cookies

Even with a straightforward recipe, a few insider tips can elevate your cookies from good to exceptional. The key to these cookies' success lies in understanding how ube behaves in baking and making adjustments accordingly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your cookie dough seems too wet after adding the ube halaya, don't panic. Ube halaya contains moisture that can affect the consistency of your dough. Simply add a tablespoon or two of additional flour until you reach a scoopable consistency. Conversely, if your dough is too dry (which might happen when using ube powder), add a teaspoon of milk at a time until the dough comes together.

For those with sensitive digestive systems who experience discomfort after eating traditional baked goods, Casa de Sante's digestive enzymes can be a helpful addition to your baking routine. Taking one of their specially formulated enzyme supplements before enjoying your purple yam cookies can help your body break down complex carbohydrates more efficiently, potentially reducing digestive discomfort.

Storage and Freezing

These cookies maintain their texture and flavor for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container.

The unbaked dough also freezes beautifully. Form the dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag, and you'll have ready-to-bake cookies whenever a craving strikes. Bake directly from frozen, adding just 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Creative Variations to Try

Once you've mastered the basic recipe, don't be afraid to experiment with different variations to keep things interesting. The versatile ube flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of add-ins and toppings.

Flavor Combinations and Add-ins

White chocolate is a classic pairing with ube, adding creamy sweetness that complements the yam's earthy notes. Try folding 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips into your dough before chilling. Coconut is another natural partner for ube—add 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut to the dough for tropical flair.

For a more complex flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of cardamom or cinnamon to the dry ingredients. These warm spices enhance ube's natural sweetness without overwhelming it. A drizzle of condensed milk over the baked and cooled cookies creates a simple yet decadent finishing touch that's traditional in many Filipino desserts.

If you're looking to boost the nutritional profile of these treats, incorporating a teaspoon of Casa de Sante's prebiotic fiber blend can add gut-healthy benefits without affecting the taste or texture. Their probiotic supplements can also complement these cookies as part of a balanced approach to digestive health when enjoyed as an occasional treat.

Conclusion

These purple yam cookies are more than just a visually stunning treat—they're a delicious introduction to the wonderful world of ube for those unfamiliar with this ingredient, and a comforting reminder of Filipino flavors for those who grew up with it. The fact that they can be easily adapted to accommodate dietary restrictions makes them accessible to almost everyone.

Whether you're baking these for a special occasion, a holiday cookie exchange, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth on a Tuesday afternoon, these vibrant purple cookies are sure to bring joy to both the baker and the lucky recipients. So gather your ingredients, embrace the beautiful purple hue, and enjoy the process of creating these unique and delicious treats that are as kind to your digestive system as they are delightful to your taste buds.