Ube Condensed Milk Cake (No-Oven Ube Cake with Ube Yema Frosting)

Ube Condensed Milk Cake is a soft, moist, and flavorful Filipino cake made with ube-flavored condensed milk, flour, eggs, and butter. Topped with a rich and creamy ube yema frosting, this beautiful purple cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, holidays, or whenever you’re craving a delicious homemade dessert. The best part? This recipe can be steamed, making it ideal for those who don’t have an oven at home.

With the growing popularity of ube desserts around the world, many people are looking for easy ways to enjoy the unique flavor of purple yam. This no-oven ube cake recipe is beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and delivers a stunning dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Whether you’re making a Filipino birthday cake, a special merienda treat, or simply trying ube for the first time, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.

What is Ube Condensed Milk Cake?

Ube Condensed Milk Cake is a soft sponge-like cake flavored with ube condensed milk, giving it a naturally sweet and vibrant purple color. Unlike traditional baked cakes, this version can be steamed, making it accessible even to home cooks without an oven.

The cake is then topped with a rich ube yema frosting, a creamy custard-like frosting made from ube condensed milk, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and cornstarch. The frosting adds extra sweetness and enhances the delicious ube flavor.

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine. Its earthy, mildly sweet flavor makes it perfect for desserts such as ube halaya, ube ice cream, ube pandesal, and of course, ube cake.

Today, ube has gained international recognition, appearing in bakeries and dessert shops around the world. This easy homemade version allows you to enjoy the iconic Filipino dessert right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Oven Needed

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is that it can be steamed. If you don’t own an oven, you can still make a beautiful and delicious cake using a simple steamer.

Rich Ube Flavor

The ube condensed milk provides a deep purple color and authentic ube taste without requiring fresh purple yam.

Soft and Moist Texture

Steaming helps keep the cake incredibly moist and tender, making every bite soft and satisfying.

Perfect for Celebrations

Its vibrant purple color and creamy frosting make it an eye-catching dessert for birthdays, fiestas, Christmas, New Year, and family gatherings.

Budget-Friendly Ingredients

Most ingredients are pantry staples that are easy to find in local supermarkets and grocery stores.

Steamed Ube Condensed Milk Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (390g) ube condensed milk
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup melted butter or margarine
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

How to Make Ube Condensed Milk Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and melted butter. Whisk thoroughly until the yolks are fully broken and the mixture becomes smooth.

Add the ube condensed milk and vanilla extract. Continue whisking until everything is evenly combined.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps remove lumps and ensures a lighter cake texture.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while stirring continuously. Mix until the batter becomes smooth and lump-free.

Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cake dense.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Pan

Line the bottom of your cake pan with baking paper.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and gently tap it against the countertop several times to release any trapped air bubbles.

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil to prevent steam droplets from falling onto the cake during cooking.

Step 4: Steam the Cake

Bring the water in your steamer to a full boil before placing the cake inside.

Carefully place the cake pan into the steamer and steam for approximately 45 minutes.

The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your batter and the size of your pan.

To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

Step 5: Cool Completely

Remove the cake from the steamer and allow it to cool slightly before unmolding.

Turn it onto a cooling rack or serving plate and carefully remove the baking paper.

Allow the cake to cool completely before applying the frosting.

Read on for frosting recipe and more recipe notes…

How to Make Ube Yema Frosting

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a saucepan, lightly beat the egg yolks.

Add the ube condensed milk.

In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in evaporated milk until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps.

Pour the milk mixture into the saucepan and stir well.

Step 2: Cook the Frosting

Place the saucepan over low heat.

Cook while stirring continuously to prevent scorching. The mixture will gradually thicken as it heats.

Do not leave the pan unattended because milk-based mixtures can burn easily.

Step 3: Achieve the Right Consistency

After about 10 minutes, the mixture should become thicker and resemble pudding.

Use a silicone spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan regularly.

Continue cooking until the frosting becomes smooth, glossy, and spreadable.

Step 4: Add Flavoring

Add the vanilla extract and salt.

The salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

Mix thoroughly.

Step 5: Cool Before Frosting

Remove the frosting from the heat.

Allow it to cool completely before spreading it over the cake.

For a firmer frosting, refrigerate it for at least two hours before use.

How to Frost the Cake

Once both the cake and frosting have cooled completely, spread a generous layer of frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

Use an offset spatula or spoon to create decorative swirls and patterns.

For extra flavor and visual appeal, you may top the cake with:

• Grated cheese
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Ube crumbs
• White chocolate shavings
• Sprinkles
• Fresh berries

The combination of creamy frosting and soft cake creates an irresistible dessert that looks bakery-quality.

Tips for the Best Ube Cake

Use Room Temperature Eggs

Room temperature eggs mix more easily into the batter and help create a smoother texture.

Don’t Skip Sifting

Sifting the flour and baking powder prevents lumps and promotes an even rise.

Cover the Cake Properly

Aluminum foil prevents water droplets from dripping onto the cake and creating soggy spots.

Cool Before Frosting

Applying frosting to a warm cake can cause it to melt and slide off.

Stir Constantly While Making Yema

Continuous stirring prevents the frosting from curdling or burning.

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Variations You Can Try

Ube Cheese Cake

Add grated cheddar cheese between the cake layers and on top of the frosting.

Ube Coconut Cake

Mix shredded coconut into the batter for added texture and tropical flavor.

Layered Ube Celebration Cake

Double the recipe and create a two-layer or three-layer cake for birthdays and special occasions.

Ube Cupcakes

Pour the batter into cupcake molds and steam for a shorter cooking time.

Baked Version

If you have an oven, bake the cake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 35 to 40 minutes.

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Storage and Shelf Life

Refrigerator

Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezer

Wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Serving Tip

For the best flavor and texture, allow refrigerated cake slices to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular condensed milk?

Yes. If ube condensed milk is unavailable, use regular condensed milk and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of ube flavoring.

Can I make this cake without frosting?

Absolutely. The cake is already delicious on its own and can be enjoyed plain with coffee or tea.

Why is my cake dense?

Overmixing the batter or using old baking powder can result in a dense texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the flavor develops even more after chilling overnight.

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Serving Suggestions

This homemade Ube Condensed Milk Cake pairs wonderfully with:

• Hot coffee
• Filipino hot chocolate
• Milk tea
• Iced coffee
• Fresh fruit
• Vanilla ice cream

It is perfect as a dessert after meals, a merienda snack, or the centerpiece of a celebration.

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Final Thoughts

This Ube Condensed Milk Cake Recipe is proof that you don’t need fancy equipment to create a beautiful homemade dessert. With its moist texture, vibrant purple color, and creamy ube yema frosting, it delivers everything you love about traditional Filipino ube cake in an easy no-oven version.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of ube desserts or trying purple yam cake for the first time, this recipe offers a simple and delicious way to enjoy one of the Philippines’ most beloved flavors. Serve it during birthdays, holidays, family gatherings, or simply whenever you’re craving something sweet, colorful, and uniquely Filipino.