Hola amigos, I’m Marisol Vega, and today I’m sharing a recipe that will transport your taste buds straight to the tropical paradise. The Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping are the perfect balance of fluffy, nutty, and buttery, making them a delightful treat for any time of day. The star ingredient in this recipe is Ube, also known as purple yam, and trust me; once you try it, you’ll become a fan for life. Get ready to fall in love with this unique, colorful, and delicious ingredient!
Marisol is an artist, writer, and lover of all things colorful and eclectic. She grew up in a small town in Mexico, but now calls Los Angeles her home. When she’s not in her art studio or wandering around the city, she’s in her kitchen experimenting with new recipes from all over the world.
Marisol Vega currently resides in USA and grew up in Mexico.
Growing up in Mexico, I was surrounded by an array of flavors and colors, and Ube was one of them. Although it’s not a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine, I’ve always been fascinated by its vibrant color and nutty flavor. I first discovered Ube during a trip to the Philippines, where it’s a staple ingredient in desserts and baked goods. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with Ube in my kitchen, and these muffins are one of my favorite creations.
The origin of Ube dates back to pre-colonial times in the Philippines, where it was cultivated for its medicinal properties. Nowadays, Ube is a popular ingredient in Filipino cuisine, especially in desserts like ice cream, cakes, and pastries. The name Ube comes from the Filipino term for purple yam, and its color ranges from lavender to deep purple, making it a popular ingredient in Instagrammable dishes. The Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping are a creative twist on a classic muffin recipe, and the addition of Ube adds a playful touch of color and flavor. This recipe is easy to make, and you don’t need any fancy equipment or exotic ingredients, so what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!
What you need
If you haven’t tried Ube yet, these Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping will convince you to give this colorful, nutty ingredient a chance! Bright purple Ube is the star ingredient in these muffins, and it pairs perfectly with coconut and a buttery streusel topping. These muffins are easy to make and perfect for a special breakfast or dessert. In one bowl, we whisk dry ingredients together and in another butter, sugar and eggs. To this mixture, we add milk and Ube spread before pouring it into the dry ingredients. Then, we fold in shredded coconut and sprinkle streusel on top of the batter. After baking for 20 minutes, the muffins are ready to be enjoyed! These muffins are so delicious, you won’t be able to eat just one.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – All-purpose flour is the foundation of these muffins. It provides structure and volume. You can use gluten-free flour in equal measure to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Baking powder – Baking powder is a leavening agent that makes these muffins rise in the oven. It’s important to use fresh baking powder for the best results.
- Salt – Salt enhances the flavor in these muffins and balances out the sweetness. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt accordingly.
- Unsalted butter – Butter adds richness and moisture to these muffins. For a dairy-free option, you can use vegan butter or coconut oil instead.
- Granulated sugar – Sugar sweetens these muffins and also helps to create a tender crumb. You can use coconut sugar or brown sugar instead for a slightly different flavor.
- Egg – Eggs provide structure and richness to these muffins. You can use 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana instead for a vegan option.
- Milk – Milk adds moisture and tenderness to these muffins. You can use any type of milk or non-dairy milk.
- Trader Joe’s Ube spread – Trader Joe’s Ube spread is the star ingredient in these muffins. It gives them a beautiful purple color and a unique nutty flavor with hints of coconut. If you can’t find ube spread, you can use mashed cooked ube (purple yam) instead.
- Shredded coconut – Shredded coconut is mixed into the batter and adds a lovely texture and flavor. You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes.
- All-purpose flour (for streusel) – All-purpose flour is used in the coconut streusel topping to help it crisp up and hold together.
- Shredded coconut (for streusel) – Shredded coconut adds flavor and texture to the coconut streusel topping. You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes.
- Brown sugar (for streusel) – Brown sugar adds sweetness and flavor to the coconut streusel topping. You can use white sugar instead.
- Unsalted butter (for streusel) – Butter is used in the coconut streusel topping to help it crisp up and hold together. You can use vegan butter or coconut oil instead.
Utensils:
- Muffin tin
- Muffin liners – You can use silicone muffin cups or grease the muffin tin instead.
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or electric mixer – You can use a wooden spoon to mix the batter by hand, but an electric mixer will make the work easier.
- Rubber spatula
- Small mixing bowl
- Fork
- Cooling rack – A cooling rack is recommended to cool the muffins evenly and prevent them from getting soggy.
Trader Joe’s Ube spread
I absolutely love the addition of Trader Joe’s Ube spread in these muffins. Ube, also known as purple yam, is a staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine and is exploding in popularity due to its unique flavor and beautiful purple hue. The nutty, slightly sweet flavor of the Ube spread pairs perfectly with the coconut and creates a muffin that is both delicious and visually stunning. While some may argue that Ube is not the healthiest ingredient, it adds a delightful twist to classic muffins that is worth indulging in moderation. If you’ve never tried Ube before, these muffins are the perfect introduction!
Shredded coconut
Shredded coconut is one of my favorite ingredients to use in baking, and these muffins are no exception. It adds a wonderful texture and flavor to the muffins and pairs perfectly with the Ube and streusel topping. Not only is it delicious, but coconut is also a nutrient-rich ingredient that is high in fiber, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. In moderation, it can be a healthy addition to your diet. Some people may shy away from using shredded coconut in their recipes due to its high fat content or because they dislike the texture, but in these muffins, it becomes the star ingredient that takes them to the next level.
What to serve it with?
I love to eat these Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea. The warmth and acidity of coffee or tea balance the sweetness of the muffins and enhance the nutty flavor of Ube. Another option is to serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. As an artist, I also love to plate my baked goods creatively, so I often decorate these muffins with edible flowers or fresh fruits. Regardless of how you serve them, these muffins are a treat on their own, but pairing them with a hot beverage or a creamy accompaniment elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Summary
There you have it, my friends, the recipe for Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping. I hope you enjoyed baking them as much as I did and that they bring a splash of color and joy to your day. I’d love to hear about your experience baking with Ube, so why not leave a comment and share your tips and tricks? Also, don’t forget to tag me on social media when you bake these muffins, I would love to see your creations. Until next time, happy baking!
Here’s the recipe:
Ube Swirl Muffins with Coconut Streusel Topping
Equipment
- Muffin tin
- Muffin liners
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- whisk or electric mixer
- rubber spatula
- Small Mixing Bowl
- fork
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tbsp Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted and cooled Unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Egg
- 3/4 cup Milk
- 1/3 cup Trader Joe's Ube spread
- 1/2 cup Shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup Shredded coconut (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar (for streusel)
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted Unsalted butter (for streusel)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare muffin tin - Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with cooking spray. -
- Mix the dry ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. -
- Mix the wet ingredients - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add the milk and Ube spread and whisk until combined. -
- Combine wet and dry ingredients - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the shredded coconut. - Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough muffins. A few lumps are okay.
- Prepare streusel topping - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, shredded coconut, and brown sugar. Add the melted butter and stir until crumbly. -
- Fill muffin tin with batter - Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the streusel topping on top of each muffin. - You can use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to help you fill the muffin cups evenly. The streusel topping will look like it's overflowing, but it's okay - it will settle during baking.
- Bake the muffins - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. - Be sure to check the muffins around the 20 minute mark to make sure they don't overbake and dry out.
- Serve and enjoy! - Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature and enjoy the delicious Ube and coconut flavor.
