Chewy Ube Crinkle Cookies

Ube, the vivid purple yam treasured in Filipino sweets, gives classic crinkle cookies a chewy, bakery-style twist. Soft dough laced with ube halaya and extract bakes under a powdered-sugar coat into crackled, lightly sweet bites.

Serves 4 · 20 min prep · 13 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 410 cal
• 5g protein
• 68g carbs
• 14g fat
• 2g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp ube extract
• 1/4 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or extra extract + 1 tbsp milk
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

1. 1In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
2. 2Add the egg, ube extract, and ube halaya; beat another minute until the mixture is vividly purple and fully combined. Scrape the bowl.
3. 3Add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing on low just until no flour streaks remain. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky. Cover and chill at least 45 minutes (or up to overnight) so the cookies hold their crinkle shape.
4. 4Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment. Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop dough into 1.5-tablespoon portions (about 12–14 total) and roll each into a smooth ball.
5. 5Roll every ball generously in powdered sugar so it is completely coated—double-dip if needed for a thick snowy layer. Arrange 2 inches apart on the sheets.
6. 6Bake one sheet at a time for 11–13 minutes, until the cookies have spread, the tops are deeply cracked, and the edges look just set while centers still appear soft. Do not overbake.
7. 7Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so the cookies firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The centers will stay chewy and the powdered sugar cracks stay dramatic.
8. 8Serve at room temperature. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days; a quick 5-second microwave refresh brings back the soft chew.