What is ube milk bread?

Ube milk bread is a soft, fluffy Filipino bread flavored with ube (purple yam), often made with milk, butter, eggs, and yeast.

How many calories are in ube milk bread?

One slice of ube milk bread usually contains 180–250 calories, depending on added sugar, butter, or fillings.

Can I make ube milk bread without ube halaya?

Yes, ube extract works for flavoring, but using halaya adds richer taste and authentic purple color.

How long does ube milk bread stay fresh?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigeration may dry the bread.

Can I make ube swirl bread with this recipe?

Absolutely. Spread ube halaya on the rolled-out dough before shaping to create a swirl.

Ube Milk Bread Recipe – Soft & Fluffy Filipino Loaf 2026

Name: Ube Milk Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 1 loaf or 8–10 rolls
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 3 ½ cups bread flour; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast; ½ cup warm milk; ½ cup whole milk; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon ube extract; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup ube halaya (optional); ½ teaspoon purple food coloring (optional); 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk for egg wash

Description

Ube Milk Bread is a soft, pillowy Filipino-style loaf infused with sweet, nutty ube flavor and a beautiful natural purple color. Made with milk and yeast, this tender bread is perfect for breakfast, merienda, or dessert. Enjoy it plain, toasted with butter, or filled with creamy ube halaya for an extra indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9×5-inch loaf or 8–10 rolls):

For the Dough:

3 ½ cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
½ cup whole milk (room temperature)
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon ube extract
½ teaspoon salt

Optional (for stronger flavor & color):

½ cup ube halaya (ube jam)
½ teaspoon purple food coloring

For Egg Wash:

1 egg
1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Activate Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
Add egg, yeast mixture, remaining milk, ube extract, and ube halaya (if using).
Mix until a sticky dough forms.

Step 3: Knead

Add softened butter and knead for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.

Step 4: First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape

Punch down dough.
For a loaf: Shape into a log and place into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
For rolls: Divide into 8–10 equal pieces and shape into balls. Place in a greased baking dish.

Cover and let rise again for 45–60 minutes until puffy.

Step 6: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush tops with egg wash.
Bake 25–30 minutes (20–25 minutes for rolls) until golden and cooked through.

Cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

• For an ube swirl bread version, spread ube halaya over rolled-out dough before shaping.
• For ube filled bread, add 1–2 tablespoons ube halaya inside each dough ball before sealing.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Toast leftovers and spread with butter for bakery-style flavor.

Prep Time: 25–30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Bread / Dessert
Method: Yeast Bread / Baked
Cuisine: Filipino