Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake
Moist and tender pound cake swirled with vibrant, subtly sweet ube purple yam for a visually striking and flavorful treat. This filipino-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with 1 tbsp butter and lightly dust with flour.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Reduce mixer speed to low; alternately add flour mixture and 1/2 cup milk in three additions, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until combined.
- Step 6: Transfer about 1 1/2 cups of the batter to a separate bowl and fold in 1/2 cup ube halaya gently until swirled but not fully combined.
- Step 7: Spoon half of the plain batter into the loaf pan, then dollop the ube batter over it, followed by the remaining plain batter. Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together for a marbled effect.
- Step 8: Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Step 9: Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Ube Swirl Pound Cake?
Filipino desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
