And just like that, it is April and we’re just about ready to get into Easter! I don’t know about you but what I love spring season are the wonderful colors; flowers blooming, days are longer, and everyone is starting to get into the groove from new year’s blues. Let alone, spring break for schools, and Easter means a day to gather with family.
How fun!
I’ve decided to share a refreshing recipe, that would be perfect, for Easter breakfast or brunch. Although, this recipe would still be very fitting for every season. Trust me, you’ve got to make this!
I GIVE YOU, VEGAN UBE WAFFLES. CHEWY, SOFT, AIRY WAFFLES INSPIRED BY FILIPINO FLAVORS!
I honestly cannot believe it, this is the first time I’m featuring something with ube flavor. I know, I know. So, without having to babble about this, here’s the details of this recipe.
WHAT IS UBE?
Ube, or pronounced as oo-beh, is a type of purple yam that has a sweeter, slightly fragrant and nutty taste comparable to vanilla (more than it is with its yam relatives). Normally, in Filipino culture, ube is often used in desserts such as ice cream, pastries, and jam. Due to many food trends to thank, there are many ways we can use the ube flavor. It can be in powdered form, its natural yam form, in a jam, or in an extract.
For this particular recipe, we’ll be using the extract form. I am going for convenience, the color, and how using an extracted form of ube will give a distinct flavor.
UBE EXTRACT
First thing’s first, ube extract, in the simplest, form is the extracted form or flavor essence of ube. Is it the most natural form? No. However, the flavor is much bolder than compared to using it in its natural form; which is hard to come by these days with flavor and color. And if I would want to make this flavor much convincing for non-vegans or waffle connoisseurs, overall, I would prefer using the extract. So think of it as using it like vanilla extract.
KEY INGREDIENTS NEEDED
Majority of the recipes are simplified enough that you may already have these on hand. Now, you might be wondering, can I only make waffles out of this? What if you don’t have a waffle maker? No worries, the batter can also work for pancakes. Oh yes, all you need is a cast iron skillet or griddle.
- ALL PURPOSE FLOUR – as the base of the batter. Be sure to sift to soften the flour, it does make a difference.
- RICE FLOUR & ARROW ROOT STARCH – since we will not be using any eggs for this recipe, rice flour and arrow root starch (you can substitute with corn starch) will give the batter a lighter, airy texture. But, also, chewy which is comparable to a mochi waffle.
- VEGAN BUTTER – For that buttery flavor and extra fat to make a softer waffle.
- FULL FAT COCONUT MILK – Ube and coconut flavors should be married together, as they are the perfect combination.
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – To make vegan “buttermilk”. It will not taste like vinegar, don’t worry.
Find the full ingredients in the recipe below.
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Vegan Ube Waffle (Dairy-Egg Free Purple Yam Waffle)
Equipment
- waffle maker
- Mixing bowls
- measuring cup
- food scale (optional but highly recommended)
- sifter (sieve)
- spatulas / whisk
- rubber tong
- ladle or large cookie scoop
- cooling rack
Ingredients
DRY INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup (140g) all purpose flour sifted
- 2 tbsp (16g) glutinous rice flour sifted
- 1 tbsp (6g) arrow root starch sifted (or substitute with corn starch)
- ¼ cup (40g) organic sugar (cane or plain granulated sugar)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
LIQUID INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup (253g) full fat coconut milk room temperature (or in liquid form)
- ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 3 tbsp (40g) melted butter
- 1 tbsp ube flavored extract with purple color
OTHER INGREDIENTS TO SERVE
- vegan butter
- maple syrup
- organic powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
PREPARATION
- Preheat waffle maker and spray with cooking spray or brush with melted butter / oil.
FOR THE BATTER
- Mix together wet ingredients such as the flour, glutinous rice flour, arrow root starch, sugar, baking powder & soda, and salt. Whisk together until well combined. Set aside.
- On a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients such as coconut milk, apple cider vinegar, ube extract, & melted butter. Whisk until all ingredients are fully whisked together.
- Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold wet & dry ingredients together until all dry flour has dissolved.
- Be gentle, and ensure that batter is not over mixed. Lumps on the batter is okay.
COOKING
- Prepare pre-heated waffle maker.
- Using a ladle (or cookie scoop), pour waffle batter into waffle maker. Press down and let it cook between 4-7 minutes. Depending on how much batter you put, it may / may not take longer. For this recipe, waffles are around 4" in diameter.
- Open waffle maker, you'll know waffle is fully cooked if exterior is golden brown. Flip on the other side (optional) and press for another 2-4 minutes to give it a crispier exterior.
- Set aside and allow waffles to cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Waffles may seem very soft or undercooked, this is normal. Give it time to cool to firm up and crisp. Texture should be firm and chewy, yet airy in the center.
Notes
- NO WAFFLE MAKER? No worries! These would make great pancakes. Preferably cook on a cast iron griddle to give it a crispy exterior.
- UBE EXTRACT – You can find ube extract (with purple coloring) in many Filipino/Asian groceries. Do not overdo the extract, or apply more as you wish, as it can leave a bitter after taste. You may ask, can you use natural ube or purple yam jam? For this recipe, no. It may compromise the texture.
- USE FULL FAT COCONUT MILK – Waffle is richer and gives a great flavor combined with ube. In addition, adding apple cider vinegar (or any form of acidity – like lemon juice) will mimic “buttermilk”. To give the waffles a (slightly) tangy flavor.
- ADD GLUTINOUS RICE FLOUR & ARROW ROOT STARCH – Since we are not using eggs, rice flour and arrow root starch will help with give the waffles a nice soft, airy texture. Rice flour will also give the waffles a nice chewy texture, similar to mochi waffles.