Fluffy Ube Cinnamon Rolls Recipe: A Sweet Purple Twist
Soft, pillowy ube cinnamon rolls bring a delightful twist to classic breakfast pastries.
sweet purple yam infuses each swirl with vibrant color and unique flavor.
Filipino dessert lovers will appreciate this creative fusion of traditional ingredients.
Warm spices complement the earthy ube, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and excitement.
Delicate dough enriched with rich cream promises an indulgent morning treat.
Gentle swirls of cinnamon and ube promise a breakfast experience that delights every sense.
Bake these rolls and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.
Purple Sweet Rolls for Brighter Mornings
Purple Sweet Rolls Ingredient Lineup
Main Ingredients:Liquid and Fat Ingredients:Sweetening and Flavoring Ingredients:Frosting Ingredients:Baking Purple Sweet Rolls Start to Finish
Step 1: Activate Yeast
Warm water in a bowl and sprinkle yeast to wake it up.
Let it sit and become foamy, which signals the yeast is ready to help your dough rise beautifully.
Step 2: Blend Dough Components
Combine these ingredients in a large mixing bowl:Mix everything until a soft, sticky dough forms.
Step 3: Develop Dough Texture
Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead thoroughly.
Push, fold, and turn the dough repeatedly until it becomes smooth and elastic.
This process develops gluten and creates a perfect texture.
Step 4: First Dough Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel.
Let it rest in a warm spot until it doubles in size, typically 60-90 minutes.
Step 5: Create Purple Filling
Blend these ingredients in a separate bowl:Step 6: Roll Out Dough
Punch down risen dough and roll into a large rectangular shape on a lightly floured surface.
Step 7: Spread Purple Filling
Generously spread the purple sweet potato mixture across the entire dough surface, leaving a small border around edges.
Step 8: Form Delightful Rolls
Carefully roll the dough from the long side, creating a tight spiral.
Slice into even rounds using a sharp knife.
Step 9: Second Rise
Arrange rolls in a greased baking dish.
Cover and let rise again until puffy, about 30-45 minutes.
Step 10: Bake to Perfection
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake rolls until golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes.
Step 11: Whip Creamy Frosting
Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk until smooth and spreadable.
Step 12: Frost and Serve
Generously spread frosting over warm rolls.
Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful purple sweet rolls!
Tips for Lighter and Fluffier Sweet Rolls
Purple Sweet Rolls Unique Fillings to Try
Purple Sweet Rolls Serving for a Crowd
Storing Sweet Rolls to Keep Them Soft
FAQs
The purple color comes from using purple sweet potatoes or ube in the dough, which naturally gives the rolls a beautiful lavender hue.
Yes, but the color won’t be as vibrant. Purple sweet potatoes or ube provide the distinctive purple color and unique flavor.
The dough should become smooth, elastic, and spring back when gently pressed. It typically takes 5-10 minutes of kneading to reach the right consistency.
Absolutely! The rolls are most delicious when served warm, with the frosting slightly melted and the texture soft and fluffy.
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Ube Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Sweet, pillowy ube cinnamon rolls blend Filipino purple yam magic with classic American breakfast comfort. Rich purple swirls and creamy glaze promise a delightful morning treat you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) warm milk
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
Filling and Sweeteners:
- 1 1/2 cups (330 grams) brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ube extract
- 3 tablespoons Trader Joe’s ube spread
Fats and Cream Cheese:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Craft a silky, elastic dough by blending all ingredients until a cohesive, smooth texture forms.
- Vigorously knead the dough on a floured surface for 7-8 minutes, developing gluten and creating elasticity.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rest in a warm environment for approximately 60 minutes until volume doubles.
- Prepare the aromatic filling by combining rich butter, sweet cinnamon, and granulated sugar into a harmonious mixture.
- Gently roll the risen dough into a precise rectangular shape, ensuring uniform thickness across the surface.
- Generously spread softened butter across the dough’s surface, then evenly distribute the cinnamon-sugar blend.
- Carefully roll the dough from the longer edge, creating a tight cylindrical shape, then slice into consistent 1.5-inch segments.
- Arrange the rolled pieces in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, allowing slight spacing between each roll.
- Cover the dish and permit a second rising period of 35-40 minutes in a draft-free location.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 22-28 minutes until golden brown and center rolls appear fully cooked.
- Whip frosting ingredients until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency with no lumps.
- Delicately spread frosting over warm rolls, allowing it to slightly melt and create an irresistible glaze.
Notes
- Use vibrant purple sweet potatoes for natural color and extra nutrition, ensuring a stunning violet hue in your rolls.
- Knead dough gently to develop gluten without overworking, which keeps rolls soft and tender.
- Proof dough in a warm, draft-free spot to help yeast activate perfectly and create fluffy texture.
- Try alternative flours like gluten-free blend or whole wheat for dietary adaptations without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 299 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg
Nathaniel Brooks
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling
Education
Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques.
Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.