Name: Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies - Delicious Treat
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: Approximately 18-24 cookies
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, browned; ¼ cup light brown sugar; ¼ cup dark brown sugar; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 egg, room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ube extract; ¼ cup ube halaya; 8 Oreos, cut into chunks; ¼ cup white chocolate chips

Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies are a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures that will transport your taste buds to a place of pure delight. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie, its beautiful lavender hue hinting at the subtle, earthy sweetness of ube, swirled with the satisfying crunch of white chocolate chips and the creamy, classic taste of cookies and cream. This isn’t just another dessert; it’s an experience! People are absolutely smitten with these cookies because they manage to be both comfortingly familiar and excitingly new. The unique combination of ube, a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine, with the universally adored cookies and cream flavor profile creates a magical fusion that’s utterly irresistible. What truly sets these Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies apart is that delightful visual pop of purple, making them as stunning to look at as they are delicious to devour. Get ready to fall head over heels for this dreamy, decadent treat!

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, browned
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ube extract
¼ cup ube halaya
8 Oreos, cut into chunks
¼ cup white chocolate chips

Getting Started: Preparing Your Dough Base

Before we dive into the fun part of creating our vibrant Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies, it’s crucial to get our dry ingredients ready. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Whisking them together thoroughly ensures that the leavening agent (baking soda) and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This even distribution is key to achieving a consistent texture and preventing any pockets of saltiness or a flat cookie. Once combined, set this bowl aside for now.

Now, let’s move on to creaming our butter and sugars. In a large bowl, add the ½ cup of browned unsalted butter. Browning the butter adds a wonderful depth of nutty flavor that complements the ube and cookies and cream beautifully. To the browned butter, add ¼ cup of light brown sugar, ¼ cup of dark brown sugar, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Using a mix of brown sugars contributes to a chewier cookie with a richer caramel note, while the granulated sugar helps with structure and spread. Using an electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease!), cream these together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creaming process incorporates air into the butter and sugar mixture, which is essential for creating cookies that are tender and have a good rise. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure everything is well combined.

Incorporating Wet Ingredients for Flavor and Color

Once your butter and sugar mixture is perfectly creamy, it’s time to add the egg and extracts. Crack in your 1 room temperature egg. A room temperature egg will emulsify more easily into the batter, leading to a smoother and more cohesive dough. Beat this into the creamed mixture until just combined. Next, add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, which provides a classic comforting aroma and flavor base. Then, for that signature gorgeous purple hue and distinct flavor, add 1 teaspoon of ube extract. The ube extract is potent, so a little goes a long way in imparting both color and taste. Continue mixing until everything is smoothly incorporated.

Now, for the star of our Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies: the ube halaya. Spoon the ¼ cup of ube halaya into the wet ingredients. Ube halaya is a traditional Filipino jam made from purple yam, and its sweet, slightly nutty, and distinctly ube flavor will be the dominant force in our cookies. Mix this in thoroughly. You’ll notice the batter transform into a beautiful, vibrant purple color. Ensure the ube halaya is fully incorporated, as this will distribute its flavor and moisture evenly throughout the cookie dough. The texture might become slightly stickier at this stage, which is perfectly normal.

Bringing It All Together: Forming the Dough

With your wet and dry ingredients prepped, it’s time to combine them to form the cookie dough. Gradually add the reserved dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt) to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or stir with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tougher cookies. You want to mix just until you no longer see streaks of dry flour. The dough should be thick and wonderfully purple.

Now, it’s time for our delightful additions! Gently fold in the 8 Oreos, cut into chunks. Don’t crush them too finely; you want to have distinct pieces of the classic cookies and cream filling and wafer throughout your ube cookies. This is where the “Cookies and Cream” aspect truly shines. Next, fold in the ¼ cup of white chocolate chips. The creamy sweetness of the white chocolate will balance the richness of the ube and the slight bitterness of the Oreo cookies. Again, fold these in gently until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough will be quite thick and studded with purple, black, and white morsels.

Shaping and Baking Your Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This space is important as the cookies will spread during baking. For a more aesthetically pleasing cookie with visible chunks of Oreos and white chocolate on top, you can press a few extra pieces of each onto the surface of the dough balls before baking.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set but still slightly soft. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and the size of your cookies. It’s better to slightly underbake than overbake, as the cookies will continue to set as they cool. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period on the baking sheet allows them to firm up properly. Enjoy your beautiful and delicious Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – the ultimate guide to creating your own batch of delicious Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies! We’ve walked through each step, from selecting the freshest ube to achieving that perfect chewy texture with delightful chunks of cream. These cookies are a true sensory experience, offering a beautiful vibrant purple hue and a captivating blend of sweet, earthy ube and the familiar comfort of chocolate cookies. They are more than just a treat; they are a conversation starter and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

For serving, I love to enjoy these Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies with a cold glass of milk, but they also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They make fantastic additions to any dessert table, cookie exchange, or just as a special afternoon indulgence. Feel free to get creative with variations! You could add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a touch of savory contrast, or even incorporate white chocolate chips alongside the chocolate cookie chunks for an extra layer of sweetness. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of chocolate cookies as your base if you can’t find the exact ones I mentioned. I encourage you to bake a batch this week and share the joy of these unique treats with your loved ones. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I can’t find fresh ube?

If fresh ube is unavailable, don’t worry! You can substitute it with high-quality ube extract or ube halaya (purple yam jam). You’ll likely need to adjust the quantity to achieve the desired flavor and color. Start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. Ube extract can be quite potent, so a little goes a long way.

How should I store Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies?

Store your cooled Ube Cookies and Cream Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Simply wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.