If you want an Ube Recipe that looks like a party and eats like a hug, this Taro Ube Cloud Cake is your new go-to. Light as a whisper, purple as a pastel dream, and flavored with both mashed taro and sweet ube halaya, it delivers authentic Asian-root goodness without acting fussy.
Brief introduction to the recipe
This cake borrows chiffon technique to create an airy, tender crumb, then layers in real taro and ube for a nuanced, yam-forward profile. A simple whipped-cream topping folded with ube halaya dresses the cake without smothering it. The result? A featherlight, pastel-hued dessert that steals the show at brunches, birthdays, or any time you want something pretty and unexpectedly elegant.
Why you’ll love this Taro Ube Cloud Cake
Why bother baking this one? Three words: texture, flavor, ease.
- You get a light and airy texture that practically melts.
- It delivers dual flavor—taro’s subtle nuttiness plus ube’s sweet, floral funk.
- No heavy frosting: the ube halaya whipped topping keeps things balanced and make-ahead friendly.
- It photographs like a pro. Want to impress without sweating? This is it.
The story behind the cake
Ever baked something for a crowd and felt smug? This cake gives you that glow. Taro and ube have long been staples in Filipino and Southeast Asian kitchens; combining them in chiffon is a modern tribute to those flavors. The idea: keep the technique classic, let the roots sing. The result? A cloud that tastes like home and looks like a magazine spread.
Ingredients breakdown — what each item does (short blurbs)
- Cake flour (1 cup / 120 g): keeps crumb fine and velvety.
- Cooked mashed taro (½ cup / 120 g): adds the earthy, slightly nutty base note for Taro Desserts.
- Ube halaya (¼ cup / 80 g): concentrated ube jam that gives color and signature purple-yam flavor—this is your secret weapon.
- Eggs, separated (5 large): yolks enrich the batter; whites become the meringue that creates lift.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup / 200 g, divided): sweetness and structure—half for yolks, half for whites.
- Milk (¼ cup / 60 ml): loosens batter for silkier crumb. Substitute coconut milk for a tropical spin.
- Vegetable oil (¼ cup / 60 ml): keeps the cake moist without adding butter flavor.
- Vanilla (½ tsp): flavor booster.
- Cream of tartar (½ tsp): stabilizes the meringue for glossy, stiff peaks.
- Pinch of salt: balances sweetness.
Quick tip: ube halaya gives the best color and flavor—use real jam if you can.

How to make it — step-by-step (short and exact)
Prep
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Don’t grease your 9-inch chiffon or angel-food pan—the batter needs the ungreased sides to climb and form that signature height. Place a rack in the center.
Yolk mixture
In a medium bowl whisk together:
- 5 egg yolks
- ½ cup (100 g) of the sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ cup mashed taro
- ¼ cup ube halaya
Mix until smooth and evenly purple. The taro will add tiny flecks; that’s beautiful—don’t overwork it.
Meringue
Use a clean, dry bowl. Whisk the 5 egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Add ½ tsp cream of tartar, then slowly add the remaining ½ cup sugar while beating on high. Whip to stiff, glossy peaks—the meringue should hold its shape and shine.
Bold tip: stiff peaks are non-negotiable. Under-whipped whites = flat cake.
Fold & combine
Stir one-third of the meringue into the yolk mixture to lighten it. Now gently fold the rest in two additions. Use a spatula to cut through the center and lift—not stir—until no white streaks remain. Keep the motion gentle so you don’t deflate the air.
Bake
Pour the batter into the ungreased pan and smooth the top lightly. Bake 30–35 minutes, until the top is faintly golden and springs back when touched. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Cool upside down
Immediately invert the pan over a bottle or funnel and let the cake cool completely upside down. This prevents collapse and preserves the airy height. When cold, run a thin knife around the sides and tube to release.
Whipped ube halaya topping
Whip 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream to soft peaks. Fold in 3–4 tablespoons ube halaya until the color and flavor distribute evenly. Pipe or spread over the cake.
Bold tip: invert to cool—don’t skip this or the cake will deflate.
Pro tips for perfect results
- Bring eggs to room temperature before separating; they whip better.
- Use a clean, dry bowl for the meringue—any grease kills volume.
- Fold gently; aggressive mixing kills the lift.
- Don’t grease the chiffon pan. Seriously—it needs to grip the sides to rise.
- Test for doneness by touch and toothpick, not by color alone—some ovens brown more.
- If you want deeper purple, add 1–2 tbsp ube powder dissolved in milk—adjust sugar if needed.
FYI: if you have ube powder and ube halaya, blending both gives richer color and a more layered flavor.
Variations to try (keep it playful)
- Macapuno addition: Fold ¼ cup chopped macapuno into the whipped topping for chewy coconut surprises.
- Cheesy twist: Grate a little sharp cheddar or queso de bola over the top for a Filipino sweet-savory shoutout—trust the combo.
- Coconut cream swap: Replace half the milk with coconut milk and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top.
- Matcha swirl: Stir 1 tbsp matcha into the yolk batter for a purple-green marble and an earthy bite.
- Ube-only: Omit taro and use extra ube halaya (or ube powder) if you want a pure Ube Dessert vibe.
Best ways to serve
Slice thin, because this cake is airy and satisfying in smaller portions. Serve chilled or slightly cool with a dollop of the ube whipped cream and a few toasted coconut flakes. Want drama? Add a small scoop of coconut or vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of sweet condensed milk. Perfect with tea, black coffee, or a lightly sweetened iced tea.

Quick tips for storage and leftovers
- Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. The whipped ube topping holds up well when chilled.
- Freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Re-fluff whipped topping lightly with a whisk if it softens.
- Reheat? You don’t need to—this cake shines cold or at room temp. If you crave a fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm a slice for 5–8 minutes at 300°F (150°C).
FAQs — short answers
What’s the difference between taro and ube?
Taro is pale and nutty; ube (purple yam) is brighter purple and sweeter. Using both gives a deep, balanced yam flavor.
Can I use ube powder instead of halaya?
Yes. Use about 2 tablespoons ube powder dissolved in the milk—taste and tweak sugar. Good-quality powder works great.
Why didn’t my cake rise?
Likely causes: under-whipped egg whites, folding too aggressively, or oven temp too low. Make sure you beat to stiff peaks and fold gently.
How to tell when it’s done?
Top should spring back to the touch. Toothpick should show moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes. Swap cake flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend with xanthan gum; texture may be slightly denser.
Is inversion necessary?
Yes. Inverting while cooling keeps the cake upright and airy—don’t skip this if you want that cloud height.
How long will the whipped ube topping hold?
It stays firm for several hours at cool room temp; refrigerate if making ahead, and re-whip lightly if it softens.
Treat Recipes Desserts & Cakes Flavors — where this fits
If you browse Treat Recipes Desserts or search for unusual Cakes Flavors, this cake pops up as an elegant, modern take on Asian classics. It pairs well with coconut, matcha, or simple citrus notes for balance. For a party tray, include slices alongside a Taro Cheesecake or other Taro Desserts for a purple-yam themed spread.
Final thoughts — short and satisfying
This Taro Ube Cloud Cake proves you don’t have to sacrifice elegance for ease. It uses simple ingredients and a classic chiffon approach to deliver something that looks special and tastes deeply comforting. Make the batter, whip your meringue, fold with care, and invert to cool. Then watch jaws drop when you pull out a slice.
Want to experiment? Try the macapuno or matcha variations. Want to keep it pure? Let taro and ube sing together. Either way, this cake gives you soft texture, gorgeous color, and that cozy, nostalgic flavor folks love in Ube Cake Recipes and Ube Desserts Recipes.
Ready to bake a cloud? Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and treat yourself to a slice of pastel heaven. 😌💜
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No-Fail Taro Ube Cloud Cake — Easy Ube Recipe for Home Bakers
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A featherlight chiffon-style cake flavored with real taro and streaked with ube frosting. Soft, pastel, and whispery in texture — perfect when you want something pretty that doesn’t fight you in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup cooked taro, mashed and cooled
- 1 ¾ cups cake flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided into ¼ cup + ½ cup
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup neutral vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
Ube whipped frosting
- 1 cup heavy cream, cold
- ½ cup ube halaya (ube jam)
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line the pan’s base with parchment, but leave the sides bare — the batter needs to grip the walls to rise.
- In a bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, salt and ¼ cup of the granulated sugar. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- In a separate bowl whisk the egg yolks with milk, oil, vanilla and the mashed taro until silky and evenly colored. Add this wet mix to the dry ingredients and stir just until the flour disappears. Don’t overmix.
- In a clean bowl, start the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Add the cream of tartar, then beat in the remaining ½ cup sugar a little at a time. Whip until the whites form stiff, glossy peaks.
- Fold one-third of the meringue into the yolk batter to loosen it. Then, in two gentle additions, fold the remaining meringue in until no white streaks remain. Use a cutting-and-lifting motion — you want to keep the air.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared tube pan. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to release large air pockets and smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Bake 30–35 minutes. The cake is done when the top springs back and a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- As soon as the cake comes from the oven, invert the pan over a bottle or funnel and let it cool completely while upside down. Bold tip: cooling upside down preserves the cake’s height — don’t skip this.
- While the cake cools, make the frosting. Whip the heavy cream with the vanilla to soft peaks. Fold in the ube halaya and sifted powdered sugar in small amounts until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly marbled.
- Run a thin knife around the pan’s sides and tube to loosen. Remove the cake and, if desired, slice it horizontally into three even layers with a serrated knife.
- Spread the ube whipped frosting between the layers and dollop or pipe the remaining frosting on top. Leave the sides mostly bare for a rustic look, or cover fully if you prefer.
- Chill for about an hour to set the frosting before slicing.
Notes
- Notes & tips
- Use fresh steamed taro and good-quality ube halaya for the best color and authentic flavor.
- Do not grease the pan sides; the batter needs grip to climb and rise.
- Fold gently — overfolding knocks out the air and makes the cake dense.
- Want deeper purple? Stir in a little ube powder dissolved in the milk. Adjust sugar to taste.
- Storage
- Keep the cake refrigerated in an airtight container. It stays fresh up to 3 days. Bring slices to room temperature briefly before serving for the softest crumb. You can freeze individual slices tightly wrapped for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Quick serving ideas
- Top with toasted coconut, chopped macapuno, or a light dusting of powdered sugar. Want sweet-savory? A few grated cheddar shards on the side makes for a classic Filipino contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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