Isn’t it funny how some foods bring back memories? Creamy ube cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts because it combines Filipino flavors with a classic dessert. I first saw this delicious dessert at a friend’s birthday party. The bright purple color of the ube (purple yam) caught my eye. I didn’t know what to expect, but the first bite was a surprise: it was smooth, rich, and not too sweet. At that moment, I knew I had to learn how to make this dish myself.
When I learned more about ube, I realized that it is more than just a pretty ingredient; it has a lot of cultural meaning and a flavor that can’t be beat. Ube is a great ingredient for desserts like this creamy cheesecake because it has a slight nutty and sweet flavor. Every time I make this recipe at home, it reminds me of that great birthday party where I made new friends and had a lot of fun. Also, the look on people’s faces when they take their first bite? Just pure joy!
So, let’s get started on making this delicious creamy ube cheesecake that will wow your family and friends, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want something sweet.
What are the ingredients in Creamy Ube Cheesecake?
1. Ube Halaya: This sweet purple yam jam is the most important part of our recipe. It gives you that famous color and a flavor that is rich and one of a kind. If you’re feeling brave, you can make your own ube halaya from scratch or buy it already made at an Asian grocery store.
2. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the main ingredient in our cheesecake. It gives it a creamy texture and a tangy taste that goes well with the sweet ube. I usually use full-fat cream cheese because it makes things creamier, but you can use low-fat if you want.
3. Sugar: This dessert is perfectly sweetened with granulated sugar. You can change the amount to make the cheesecake sweeter or less sweet, depending on what you like.
4. Sour cream: This makes the cheesecake filling taste better by making it more tangy and creamy. I like to use full-fat sour cream because it makes things smoother.
5. Heavy Whipping Cream: To get that smooth, velvety finish, whipped heavy cream is mixed into the filling. This keeps your cheesecake soft and delicious.
6. Eggs: Eggs hold everything together and make the cheesecake rich and smooth. For the best results, I always use big eggs.
7. Vanilla Extract: A little bit of vanilla gives the flavor more depth and warmth, which helps balance out the ube’s sweetness.
8. Graham Cracker Crust: The crust gives it that nice crunch. Making it from scratch is easy and worth it, but buying it from the store is fine too, especially if you don’t have much time.
9. Butter: Mix melted butter with graham cracker crumbs to make the crust. It also makes things taste better and richer.
You now know what goes into this delicious cheesecake! Let’s see how each of these ingredients works together to make this beautiful dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
Is it good for you to eat creamy ube cheesecake?
It’s always a good idea to think about whether the foods we love are also good for us. Creamy ube cheesecake is definitely a dessert, but it also has some health benefits because of a few key ingredients:
Ube Halaya: Ube is known for having a lot of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It has fiber, which is good for digestion, and anthocyanins, which are good for the heart. It can also help with inflammation, so you can feel a little better about giving in.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese does have some fat, but a small amount is good for your health because it helps your body absorb nutrients. It also has a lot of calcium, but if you’re trying to cut back on fat, don’t eat too much.
Sour cream is good for your gut health because it has probiotics in it. It also makes your cheesecake creamy and tangy!
Cheesecake is a dessert, so you shouldn’t eat a lot of it. But every sweet thing has its own place, right? Balance is the key to life! So have a piece or two and enjoy every second.
What you need to make Creamy Ube Cheesecake
This recipe makes enough food for 8 to 10 people, which is great for a small get-together or just to treat yourself on the weekend!
– **1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets)** – **½ cup of melted unsalted butter**1 cup of ube halaya, either store-bought or made at home2 cups of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and½ cup of sour cream1 cup of heavy whipping cream3 big eggs1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
How to Make Ube Cheesecake with Cream?
Are you ready to get your hands dirty in the kitchen? If you follow these steps, you’ll have this beautiful dessert ready to wow everyone in no time!
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Set your oven to 325°F (160°C) to warm it up. This step makes sure that our cheesecake will bake evenly.
2. **Make the Crust:** Put the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs in a mixing bowl. Mix it until it looks like wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. This will be the base of your cheesecake. Make sure it’s nice and compact by using the back of a measuring cup. After 10 minutes in the oven, take the crust out and let it cool.
3. **Make the Filling:** Use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and softened cream cheese together in a big mixing bowl until they are smooth and fluffy. It usually takes this long.
4. **Add Ube and Others:** Mix in the ube halaya, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Beat again until everything is mixed in well.
5. **Add the eggs:** Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until they are just combined after each addition. Don’t mix too much, or your cheesecake will be heavy and dense.
6. **Whip the Cream:** Whip the heavy cream in a different bowl until it forms stiff peaks. You can do this with a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Be careful when folding the whipped cream into the ube mixture so that it stays light.
7. **Mix and Pour:** Put the filling on top of the cooled crust. Use a spatula to smooth out the top so that it is even.
8. **Bake the cheesecake:** Put the springform pan in a bigger baking dish that has hot water in it. This will make a water bath. This method helps the cheesecake bake evenly and keeps it from cracking. Bake for about an hour, or until the center is just set but still a little jiggly.
9. **Let it cool:** When you’re done, turn off the oven and open the door a little bit. Let the cheesecake cool down for about an hour. Also, this will stop cracks from forming on the surface.
10. **Refrigerate:** Take the cheesecake out of the water bath and put it in the fridge for at least four hours, but preferably overnight, so it can set completely.
11. **Serve and Have Fun:** Take the cheesecake out of the springform pan when you’re ready to serve it. For a tropical touch, you can add more whipped cream, fresh fruit, or even a drizzle of coconut cream on top.
Twist and Shout: Different Ways to Play and Helpful Hints
Experimenting is a big part of life, especially in the kitchen! Here are some ways to change up your creamy ube cheesecake:
1. **Baked vs. Not Baked:** You can make a no-bake version if you don’t have much time or like things cold. Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and ube together, fold in the whipped cream, and put it in the fridge to set without baking.
2. **Different kinds of crust:** For a different taste, try using crushed Oreos or vanilla wafers. Each choice adds its own taste to the cheesecake!
3. **Extra Toppings:** Let your imagination run wild with toppings! Adding fresh mango, shaved coconut, or even a sprinkle of toasted nuts can make it taste even better.
4. **Different kinds of festive things:** You can add seasonal flavors to your ube cheesecake. For example, you could add pumpkin spice to make it feel like fall or shaved chocolate for the holidays.
5. **How you present matters:** Use a hot knife to cut clean slices when serving. For the perfect Instagram-worthy moment, dip the knife in hot water, wipe it clean, and slice again.
Keep in mind that baking is a journey, and every step will lead to tasty surprises. Enjoy the fun process and every bite you make, no matter what changes you make!
I can’t wait for you to taste this creamy ube cheesecake. I’m sure it will make your taste buds as happy as it made mine! It’s always a hit, whether you’re making it for an event, sharing it with friends and family, or just treating yourself after a long day. Let’s get baking, so roll up your sleeves! I’d love to know how yours turns out. Please tell me about your experiences!
