Purple yam or ube cake is a much-loved dessert staple, so much so that there are constant variations of it, from the classic ube cake we've grown up with to creative reinventions which further cement their mainstay status in our food scene. Food trends may come and go, but the ube cake will always have a special place in our hearts.
In fact, there are so many home bakers and stores with their own renditions of this delectable cake that it can be difficult to know which ones to try. To make your quest easier, we have prepared a buying guide, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, as well as our 10 recommended ube cakes for you to try!
Quick List - Top Ube Cakes
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
First things first! Let us break down the different types of ube cake in the market. This is where your preferred texture will also come into play so you can best enjoy your cake. Learn more about the different types below.
When you think of ube cakes, the chiffon-type is what usually comes to mind. Its base is composed of a sponge cake with creamy ube halaya or cream filling in between the layers. It is light, fluffy, and airy, so it is not too heavy as a dessert or snack.
If you can't decide what type of ube cake to get, then you can't go wrong with the classic chiffon cake. There are plenty of them available in the market, so you have a wide selection to choose from!
If you prefer something more malinamnam and creamy, you can opt for ube made into mousse cakes. This type has a rather custard-like texture that makes for a scrumptious cake. If you're one of those people who prefer the filling more than the cake, then go for mousse cakes.
Its smooth texture makes it seem like you are eating pure filling, great for those who are into sweets. However, take care not to let it melt, especially if you plan on gifting it. Mousse cakes must remain chilled, or else they will lose their texture.
An ube cheesecake is on the heavier side. With its velvety texture combined with the decadence of cheese, it makes for a decadent treat. If you are looking to indulge, then a cheesecake is a prime choice. Cheesecakes have a creamy taste profile with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is also rather dense, so a serving is surely going to satisfy your dessert cravings.
Cakes are usually sold in slices or as a whole cake. This will also depend on how many people you are buying it for. If it is for yourself, a slice will work just fine. It also works well to avoid excess leftovers if you just want to try it for the first time.
A whole cake works for the whole family, especially during celebrations, in which cakes are ever-present. You can choose between round or rectangular cakes for this. Sometimes, ube cakes are also sold as roll cakes. Another recent addition is the mini-cake or junior cake, which more and more bakeries are now offering. These are perfect for giving as a gift.
Preparation time can take anywhere from about a day to a week in advance, depending on the store’s capacity and number of orders. This is because cakes have to be made fresh to ensure quality since they could get soggy, melt, or spoil easily.
Some stores offersame-day delivery. These are typically the bigger-sized stores that can churn out cakes on a daily basis. They also usually have a number of extra cakes on hand, so you could get away with an impulse purchase.
However, if you are buying from home bakers or small bakeshops, then you would definitely need to give them a call ahead of time, especially if you are planning on giving it as a gift or for celebrations. Make sure to ask how much lead time they allow so you can place your order accordingly.
Cakes are one of the trickiest items to transport because you want to be able to maintain the integrity and structure of the cake. The smallest bump in the road could cause the icing to smear or the cake to be lopsided.
If you want to save on costs, you could personally pick up the cake yourself. Some stores offer curbside pick-up, where you park in a designated area near the store, and a staff member brings your order out to you. Other stores have their own delivery service, while some would require you to book your courier of choice.
The size of the cake will also matter because whole cakes can be difficult to transport via motorcycles. While a motorcycle pick-up is more affordable, a car or van service is generally much more preferred for cake transport, even though it costs more. But if you're transporting just a slice or a mini-cake, then a motorcycle will do just fine!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oliva's Baking Studio Ube Cream Cheese Naked Cake | ![]() | A Moist and Velvety Crowd Favorite | |
2 | Conti's Ube Custard | ![]() | Silky Blend of Ube and Custard | |
3 | Bellefleur by Beatrix Frozen Ube Brazo | ![]() | Melt-in-Your-Mouth Goodness | |
4 | Flour Jar Ube Macapuno Cheesecake | ![]() | Iconic Fusion of Ube and Macapuno | |
5 | Wildflour Ube Tres Leches | ![]() | A Creamy and Milky Indulgence | |
6 | M Bakery Ube Cake | ![]() | Satisfy Your Cravings With Ube Halaya Filling | |
7 | House of Lasagna Ultimate Ube Halaya | ![]() | A Chocolatey Twist on the Ube Classic | |
8 | Pasteleria Manila Ube Cups | ![]() | Jazz Up Merienda Time With Cupcakes | |
9 | Cara Mia Ube Cake | ![]() | Ube Cake With a Light and Fluffy Texture | |
10 | Red Ribbon Ube Mousse | ![]() | A Rich Mousse With a Slight Hint of Saltiness |
Oliva's Baking Studio may have only started churning out cakes last year, but it is easy to see why their ube cake has become a crowd favorite in a short amount of time! Unlike the pristine appearance we are used to in cakes, their ube cake presents a rustic aesthetic that will undoubtedly pique your interest.
Its taste is one that doesn't disappoint as well! It features a 4-layer ube chiffon enveloped in an ube halaya and velvety cream cheese frosting. The cake is light, airy, fluffy, moist, and is complemented by the frosting. It has a balanced sweetness that will surely have you coming back for seconds.
In terms of both taste and appearance, this is definitely not your ordinary ube cake. This store has many repeat customers for their ube cake because it is just that good! Make sure to send your reservations early because their slots close up quickly!
Ube and leche flan are Filipino desserts that are always bound to be a hit. If you can't decide between the two, this Ube Custard cake from Conti's lets you enjoy them both! It consists of a base of ube sponge cake enveloped in a creamy custard layer. This combination will give you the best of both worlds!
Reviewers have also noted that this cake is studded with bits of purple yam - perfect for those who like a little crunch in their cakes. It also complements the cake's overall smooth texture, which makes for a more interesting contrast. And it is not too sweet, so you won't get umay!
Bellefleur puts a unique twist on Filipino dessert classics such as ube and brazo de mercedes by making them into one scrumptious combination. The result is a delightful Frozen Ube Brazo cake! It is composed of luscious ube ice cream and fluffy brazo for a melt-in-your-mouth experience!
It is not too sweet, so you can savor every piece. Its biscuit base also complements the creaminess of the cake. According to reviewers, this cake is so good that they finished a slice in no time at all. If you'd like a truly different take on the classic ube cake that does not disappoint, then this one is for you!
Ube and macapuno is a classic combination often found in Filipino desserts. They are often good to munch on their own, but if you mix them in cake, it creates a different flavor that can easily elevate the occasion. It is great if you are looking for a different base to ube cakes.
Flour Jar's Ube Macapuno cake has multiple layers of moist and heavy cheesecake with thick layers of ube icing. It truly makes for a sweet ending to your day! Topped with a generous layer of macapuno, this gives a coconutty taste that complements the ube in a subtle and refined way!
Ube Cakes are a timeless classic in Filipino occasions, but if you’re looking to spice up gatherings and birthdays, you should try Wildflour’s Ube Tres Leches Cake. Your favorite ube cake has just gotten creamier. It has a soft and light base topped with ube cream and luscious dulce de leche.
This is perfect if you are worried about having dry cakes. The cake is submerged in milk and condensada to achieve a moist and tender texture. Its fluffiness is also retained, thanks to its sponge cake base. If you are looking for creamy, milky indulgence, then this one is worth a purchase!
M Bakery might be famous for their cupcakes and banana pudding, but their ube cake is one creation you shouldn't miss! It makes use of real ube halaya for its filling, along with the bakery's iconic buttercream frosting. It is topped with coconut flakes, which adds a bit of crunch in between bites.
In case you were wondering about its marble effect, it is made with their ube merengue buttercream to satisfy your ube cravings. It may be on the pricier side, but each hefty serving more than makes up for it. It is also available in a cupcake form if you want something smaller!
You may be more familiar with their lineup of yummy lasagnas, but House of Lasagna also carries their version of the ube cake. At first glance, it resembles the usual ube cake aesthetic we've grown up with - sponge cake layers with ube halaya filling in between. But don't be fooled by its simple appearance!
It is actually wrapped in a white chocolate truffle frosting, which makes for a rather decadent treat! It surely puts a chocolatey spin on the familiar cake we know and love. Its design may be simple, but it does not disappoint. If you are looking for a reliable ube cake you can sink your teeth into, then this is it!
Normally, we associate cakes with celebrations and special occasions. But with Pasteleria Manila's Ube Cups, you won't need a reason to indulge! Their take on the yummy dessert features individual cups instead of a whole cake, although they also carry round cakes, if that's what you prefer. The store also offers an option to jazz up your cupcake set with a portrait on top!
This makes for the perfect merienda if you are feeling hungry and want something to satisfy your sweet tooth. It also makes a great dessert, if you can wait that long! It is also convenient if you have guests over, as solo servings mean it is easier to distribute.
In a hurry for a birthday? Caramia has got your back! They are known to produce affordable cakes without compromising their taste - perfect if you need cake in a pinch! Their ube cake is filled with real halaya, so you can bet that this cake is absolutely divine and as faithful to the ube taste as you can find.
The ube chiffon provides a light texture and a subtle ube taste. It is also topped with whipped cream that balances the ube flavor to create perfect harmony. The exterior of the cake is smothered in cake crumbs that give the cake its signature look, as well as an interesting texture.
Throughout the years, Red Ribbon has been a reliable go-to spot for their cake creations. In fact, you'll often find their classic ube cake present at Christmas and birthday parties. Now, they have also come up with a unique Ube Mousse Cake. It is perfect for ube enthusiasts who are looking for a fresh take on the classic cake!
It uses ube halaya mixed with a cream cheese mousse that gives the cake a subtle tang without taking away from the ube flavor. Its cream topping is soft and gives the mousse a great texture and flavor, while the grated cheese adds a nice hint of saltiness. If you are looking to expand your ube options, why not start with this?
Aside from ube cake, there are other foolproof flavors of cake that you can't go wrong with. From the classic decadent chocolate cake to buttery caramel ones, we have a number of options for you. Feel free to browse among these picks that will surely sweeten your day!
Author: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Oliva's Baking Studio|Ube Cream Cheese Naked Cake
No. 2: Conti's|Ube Custard
No. 3: Bellefleur by Beatrix|Frozen Ube Brazo
No. 4: Flour Jar|Ube Macapuno Cheesecake
No. 5: Wildflour|Ube Tres Leches
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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