The Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies are a vibrant celebration of flavor and Filipino tradition, merging soft, purple crinkle cookies with a luscious marshmallow cream filling. Their signature crackled exterior dusted in powdered sugar not only makes them visually stunning but also gives way to a moist and chewy bite that melts in your mouth. The unique ube flavor nutty, sweet, and slightly earthy pairs perfectly with the vanilla-laced filling, making each bite a dreamy indulgence. These cookies are perfect for holidays, celebrations, or as a standout treat for any gathering. They’re eye-catching, unique, and bring a splash of color and cultural pride to your dessert table. Whether you’re familiar with ube or discovering it for the first time, these sandwich cookies offer a delightful introduction to this cherished ingredient in a creative and irresistible form.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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2 tsp ube extract
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1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 tsp baking powder
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
For the Filling:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff
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1 cup powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add ube halaya, eggs, and ube extract; mix well.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until fully combined.
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Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Scoop 1-inch balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on the baking sheet 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies have spread and the tops have a crinkled appearance. Let cool completely.
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For the filling, beat butter until smooth. Add marshmallow fluff, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
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Pipe or spread the filling onto the flat side of half the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies and gently press to set.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 32 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 12 sandwich cookies
Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies: A Delicious Fusion of Filipino Flavor and Comfort Baking
Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies are a delightful dessert that beautifully blends cultural heritage with contemporary sweetness. These cookies are made with ube, a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines, known for its subtly sweet, nutty flavor and vivid hue. Ube has become a rising star in the global dessert scene, featured in everything from ice cream and donuts to cakes and lattes. When transformed into chewy crinkle cookies and filled with creamy marshmallow fluff, it becomes an irresistible treat that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious.
In this recipe, traditional Filipino flavors are given a modern twist. The chewy ube cookie base is rolled in powdered sugar to achieve that iconic crinkled effect, while the marshmallow filling offers a light and fluffy contrast that elevates each bite. These sandwich cookies are perfect for holidays, potlucks, birthdays, or just because. They bring joy, nostalgia, and a burst of color to any dessert table.
What is Ube and Why is it Special?
Ube (pronounced “oo-beh”) is a purple yam originally grown in the Philippines and has long been a staple in Filipino cuisine. While it may resemble sweet potatoes or taro in appearance, its flavor is quite distinct. Ube has a naturally sweet, vanilla-like flavor with a hint of nuttiness and earthiness that’s unlike anything else. It’s commonly used in Filipino desserts such as ube halaya (a sweet jam or paste made from boiled and mashed ube), cakes, breads, and more.
In recent years, ube has exploded in popularity outside of the Philippines, making appearances in bakeries and cafes around the world. Its rich color and unique flavor have made it a favorite among foodies and bakers looking for a colorful twist on traditional recipes.
The Perfect Crinkle Cookie
Crinkle cookies are a beloved classic in the baking world. Their soft, fudgy centers and crackled powdered sugar exteriors make them both visually appealing and texturally satisfying. The key to the crinkle effect lies in the dough: as the cookies bake and expand in the oven, the powdered sugar coating cracks and splits, creating a beautiful, snow-dusted surface.
Ube crinkle cookies follow this same concept, but with a Filipino twist. The purple hue of the cookie dough adds a fun pop of color, while the subtle flavor of the ube makes the treat more than just visually pleasing it’s full of depth and richness. When sandwiched together with a creamy marshmallow filling, these crinkle cookies go from a simple snack to a decadent dessert.
A Filling That Takes It Over the Top
What sets this recipe apart from traditional ube crinkles is the addition of the marshmallow filling. Light, fluffy, and sweet, the filling adds another layer of flavor and texture that complements the soft cookie base. With hints of vanilla and the gooeyness of marshmallow fluff, the filling makes the cookies more indulgent without overpowering the unique flavor of the ube.
This combination creates a perfect balance: the earthiness of the ube, the sugar-dusted crunch of the cookie’s exterior, and the creamy sweetness of the filling. It’s a fusion that feels both nostalgic and new, perfect for those who grew up with Filipino desserts as well as newcomers eager to explore global flavors.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
There are countless reasons to fall in love with Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies:
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They’re beautiful: The vibrant purple cookies with their white crinkle tops and soft filling in between make for a show-stopping treat.
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They’re flavorful: Ube offers a unique flavor experience that is unlike any other ingredient in Western baking.
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They’re soft and chewy: The perfect cookie texture moist inside, slightly crisp outside.
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They’re versatile: Perfect for all kinds of occasions, from holidays and birthdays to casual tea-time or gift-giving.
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They celebrate culture: These cookies honor Filipino ingredients and traditions, making them a meaningful dessert to serve and share.
How to Serve Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, either slightly warm from the oven or at room temperature. You can serve them alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate for a comforting afternoon snack. They also make a fantastic addition to dessert platters, bake sale tables, or as part of a homemade gift basket.
For special occasions, you can get creative with the filling try adding a bit of coconut, a swirl of cream cheese, or even a hint of lemon zest to brighten things up. You can also use different cookie cutters to shape the dough for holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Easter.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days. If you’d like to make them ahead of time, you can refrigerate the unbaked dough for up to two days or freeze it for up to a month. Just allow the dough to thaw slightly before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.
Assembled cookie sandwiches with the filling can be stored in the fridge for freshness, especially in warm climates, but be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Variations to Try
While this recipe is already amazing as-is, you can experiment with a few variations to make it your own:
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Coconut Marshmallow Filling: Add desiccated coconut to the marshmallow filling for extra tropical flair.
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White Chocolate Ube Filling: Mix melted white chocolate with buttercream for a richer twist.
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Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the marshmallow fluff for a tangy cream cheese frosting for a cheesecake-inspired flavor.
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Mini Sandwiches: Make smaller cookies and turn them into bite-sized sandwich cookies perfect for parties or gifting.
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Ube-Macapuno Combo: Add macapuno (young coconut strings) into the filling to channel another classic Filipino flavor duo.
Embracing Filipino Flavors Through Baking
For many, baking these cookies is more than just a culinary project it’s a way to connect with Filipino heritage and share cultural flavors with a wider audience. It’s also a creative outlet for those who love merging tradition with innovation. Filipino ingredients like ube deserve the spotlight in global kitchens, and recipes like this help bridge that gap.
Whether you’re a Filipino baker passing down family recipes or someone trying ube for the first time, these cookies are a great way to start the journey.
Conclusion:
Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies are an irresistible treat that brings together color, flavor, and nostalgia in one beautiful bite. With their chewy texture, vibrant hue, and indulgent filling, they’re bound to impress anyone lucky enough to taste them. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or your community, this recipe offers something special.
It’s a celebration of culture and creativity proof that the best desserts are those that tell a story. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to make a dessert that’s as joyful to look at as it is to eat. These cookies will quickly become a favorite in your recipe box and a star at every gathering.
