Ube ice cream
A deep purple, dense and creamy, it melts slowly on the tongue, releasing its vanilla sweetness: ube ice cream is the cult flavour of the Philippines.
And the good news: you can make it at home, no machine needed.
The cult flavour of the Philippines
In the Philippines, ube ice cream is an institution, sold on every street corner.
Its striking colour and sweet, vanilla-tinged flavour have made it ube's ambassador around the world. The no-machine version, made with whipped cream and condensed milk, captures all its creaminess without any special equipment.
Ube ice cream is so iconic that it's often the rest of the world's first taste of ube.
Ube ice cream, step by step.
A little patience in the freezer, and purple turns to ice cream.
Ingredients
- 400 ml full-fat whipping cream, well chilled
- 200 ml sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp Kinampay ube powder (about 20 g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment
- An electric whisk
- A bowl
- An ice cream tub
Method
- Blend the ube powder into a little condensed milk until smooth and lump-free.
- Whip the well-chilled cream to firm peaks.
- Gently fold the condensed milk, ube base and vanilla into the whipped cream.
- Pour into the tub, smooth the top, cover and freeze for at least 6 hours.
- Take the ice cream out a few minutes before serving so it scoops easily.
The whole Ice cream family
Ice cream, nice cream, ice lollies: all the frozen purple, one recipe after another.
The chef's touch
Creaminess without a machine comes down to the whipped cream.
Whip well-chilled cream to firm peaks: it's the trapped air that stops ice crystals from forming. Fold the rest in gently, without knocking out the air. Condensed milk, rich in sugar, keeps the ice cream soft in the freezer.
For an even deeper purple, add the ube powder spoon by spoon, tasting as you go.
Mistakes to avoid
Three pitfalls for a nicely creamy ice cream.
Explore the world of ube
Frozen treats are just one facet: explore the whole purple universe.
Drinks
Lattes, smoothies, ube frappés.
Explore →Capsules
Lattes, cappuccino, affogato… ready in 30 s.
Explore →Desserts
Cheesecakes, cookies, cakes, pancakes.
Explore →Ice creams
Ice creams, nice cream, frozen mochi.
Explore →Breakfasts
Bowls, porridges, overnight oats.
Explore →Filipino recipes
Halaya, ensaymada, leche flan.
Explore →Ube Time Signatures
Our exclusive creations, found nowhere else.
Explore →Craving this purple ice cream?
All you need is Kinampay ube powder for the colour and the sweetness.
Your questions about this recipe.
How do you make ube ice cream without a machine?
Whip chilled cream to peaks, fold in condensed milk and dissolved ube powder, then freeze for at least 6 hours.
Why is my ice cream too hard?
The whipped cream was not firm enough, or there was not enough sugar. Condensed milk and well-whipped cream keep the ice cream soft.
Does ube ice cream contain caffeine?
No, ube is naturally caffeine-free.
How long does it keep?
Up to 2 weeks in the freezer in an airtight tub.
Can you make it vegan?
Yes: use whipped coconut cream and plant-based condensed milk.