Delightful Ube Bars Recipe (Purple Yam Coconut Bars)
Delightful Ube Bars Recipe
Ube Bars Recipe is a classic Filipino merienda made with a buttery baked dough that is flavored with ube, dipped in a rich homemade purple yam syrup, and coated generously with desiccated coconut. Unlike yeast bread or sponge cake, these bakery-style ube bars have a firm yet tender texture that holds its shape well after being soaked in syrup. The syrup adds moisture and sweetness to the outside while the inside remains pleasantly dense with a satisfying bite.
Ube, or purple yam, is one of the Philippines’ most beloved ingredients. Its naturally vibrant color and unique flavor have made it popular in everything from cakes and pastries to ice cream, halaya, hopia, and pandesal. Ube Bars are another favorite merienda that combines the rich taste of ube with the subtle sweetness of coconut.
One of the best things about this Ube Bars Recipe is its simplicity. Since the dough uses baking powder instead of yeast, there’s no need to wait for proofing. Simply mix the ingredients, bake, prepare the syrup, coat with coconut, and enjoy. The finished bars are perfect for afternoon snacks, family gatherings, school baon, or even small home baking businesses.
If you’re looking for a colorful Filipino snack that’s easy to prepare and full of delicious ube flavor, this Ube Bars Recipe deserves a spot in your kitchen.
10 Tips for the Best Ube Bars Recipe
1. Measure the flour accurately.
Too much flour can make the bars excessively hard instead of pleasantly firm. Spoon and level the flour rather than scooping directly from the bag.
2. Use room temperature butter.
Softened butter combines more easily with the other ingredients, resulting in a smoother dough.
3. Do not overmix.
Once the ingredients come together into a dough, stop mixing. Overmixing can make the bars tougher after baking.
4. Spread the dough evenly.
Flatten the dough into an even layer so every bar bakes at the same rate.
5. Do not overbake.
Bake only until the surface is set and the edges are lightly golden. Overbaking can make the bars too dry.
6. Cool completely before slicing.
Allow the baked dough to cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars. This helps prevent crumbling.
7. Let the syrup cool.
Warm or room-temperature syrup is ideal. Extremely hot syrup may cause the bars to become too fragile during dipping.
8. Dip quickly.
A quick dip coats the bars beautifully without oversaturating them. They should absorb enough syrup to become moist while still holding their shape.
9. Use unsweetened desiccated coconut.
Unsweetened coconut balances the sweetness of the syrup while adding a pleasant texture.
10. Let the bars rest before serving.
Allow the coated bars to rest for about 20 minutes so the syrup settles and the coconut adheres well.
Delightful Ube Bars Recipe – Easy Bakery-Style Filipino Snack
Ingredients
For the Dough
- ½ cup white sugar 115 grams
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour 400 grams
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter 125 grams, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil only when using butter; omit if using lard or shortening
- 1 teaspoon ube flavor purple yam flavor
For the Ube Syrup
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ube flavor
- ½ teaspoon violet food coloring optional
For the Coating
- 1 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the evaporated milk, softened butter, cooking oil (if using butter), and ube flavor.
- Mix until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Prepare the Pan
- Grease or line an 8.5 x 8.5-inch baking pan.
- Transfer the dough into the pan and press it evenly using a spatula or your hands.
- Smooth the surface.
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the surface is set and the edges become lightly golden.
- Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the Ube Syrup
- In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, sugar, ube flavor, and optional violet food coloring.
- Cook over medium heat while stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches a gentle boil.
- Transfer to a bowl and let it cool.
Slice and Coat
- Slice the cooled baked dough into bars.
- Dip each bar briefly into the cooled ube syrup.
- Immediately coat with desiccated coconut until completely covered.
Serve
- Arrange on a serving plate and enjoy with coffee, tea, or your favorite cold beverage.
Other Ways of Cooking
Toaster Oven
A toaster oven may also be used for smaller batches. Keep the temperature at 180°C and watch closely because smaller ovens often bake faster.
Air Fryer
An air fryer is not recommended for this recipe. The dough is spread evenly in a square baking pan, and most air fryers do not circulate heat as evenly as an oven for this type of baked bar. Pan size may also be a limitation.
Storage
Store your Ube Bars in an airtight container.
- At room temperature, they can be kept for up to 2 days in a cool, dry place.
- Refrigerate for up to 5 days for longer storage.
Keep in mind that refrigeration naturally makes the bars firmer. Before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes.
You may also freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring them to room temperature before serving. The bars may become slightly denser after freezing, but they will still taste delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ube Bars?
Ube Bars are baked Filipino snack bars flavored with ube, dipped in a sweet purple yam syrup, and coated with desiccated coconut.
Why are my Ube Bars hard?
The most common reason is overbaking or adding too much flour. Bake only until the edges are lightly golden and measure the flour accurately.
Why do you add cooking oil?
Cooking oil helps retain moisture when using butter. If using lard or shortening, the additional oil is unnecessary.
Can I substitute shortening or lard?
Yes. Both shortening and lard produce excellent results and can make the finished bars slightly richer.
Can I use fresh ube?
This recipe is specifically formulated for ube flavoring. Fresh ube contains additional moisture, so using it would require recipe adjustments.
Can I skip the food coloring?
Absolutely. The violet food coloring is optional and only enhances the appearance.
Why should I cool the syrup?
Cool syrup coats the bars more evenly and helps them maintain their shape during dipping.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, many people enjoy them even more after several hours because the syrup has had time to settle into the bars.
Can I use sweetened desiccated coconut?
Yes, although the finished bars will be noticeably sweeter.
What drinks pair well with Ube Bars?
Coffee, hot chocolate, milk, tea, or iced coffee all pair wonderfully with these Filipino treats.
Delightful Ube Bars Recipe Video
For more recipe videos, visit our YouTube channel, Onyok Kokok, by clicking the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/@onyokkokok8538
Discover more step-by-step written recipes by clicking the link below.
Filipino Recipes & Cooking – Onyok Kokok Kitchen
Final Note
This Ube Bars Recipe is an easy and satisfying Filipino merienda that combines the rich flavor of ube with the subtle sweetness of coconut. Instead of being soft like yeast bread, these bakery-style bars have a firm yet tender texture that makes them ideal for dipping into syrup without falling apart. Every bite offers a delicious balance of buttery dough, fragrant ube, and coconut, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you’re making them for merienda, special occasions, or even to sell, this Ube Bars Recipe is a wonderful addition to your collection of homemade Filipino snacks. Try it today and enjoy a colorful treat that’s simple to make and always satisfying.
