Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch Recipe

If you’ve never experienced this magical fusion before, get ready: these Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch swirl the tender, pillowy softness of classic cinnamon rolls with the vibrant color and uniquely sweet, nutty flavor of ube. It’s a recipe that brings together the familiar comfort of a beloved breakfast treat and the playful pop of purple only ube can offer. Whether you’re looking to impress at brunch or simply want to indulge yourself, these rolls are sure to be a new favorite and an absolute showstopper.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe may look fancy, but at its heart, each ingredient plays an essential role, contributing something special to either flavor, color, or texture. From the earthy sweetness of ube to the creamy tang of the frosting, every component is intentional and absolutely worth it.

• Warm Milk: Provides moisture, activates the yeast, and helps create that soft, tender crumb we all crave in cinnamon rolls.
• Large Egg (room temperature): Adds richness and structure, ensuring the rolls hold together beautifully when baked.
• Ube Extract: Infuses the dough with a vivid purple hue and distinct ube flavor—it’s absolutely essential for authenticity!
• Unsalted Butter (softened): Used in the dough, filling, and frosting for unbeatable richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• All-purpose Flour: The building block of the dough; provides the structure for that perfect swirl.
• Granulated Sugar: Lightly sweetens the dough and lets the ube and cinnamon shine through.
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness and brightens every bite (a small amount goes a long way).
• Instant Dry Yeast: The magic behind that fluffy, bakery-perfect rise—no need to proof separately if using rapid-rise.
• Ube Halaya Jam: Brings a creamy, earthy layer of purple yam flavor to the filling—look for it at Asian markets or homemade is even better!
• Brown Sugar: Deepens the sweetness and creates that signature gooey swirl with the cinnamon.
• Ground Cinnamon: Because what are cinnamon rolls without that irresistible hint of spice?
• Heavy Cream: Poured over the rolls before baking, this trick keeps the inside soft and extra decadent.
• Cream Cheese (softened): For the signature frosting; brings a tang that’s the perfect counterpoint to all that sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors in the cream cheese topping.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Gives the frostings its silky-smooth texture and just the right level of sweetness.

How to Make Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by warming your milk—it should be just shy of hot, so it activates the yeast without cooking it. Add the instant yeast and let it bloom briefly in your mixer bowl. Next, introduce the egg, softened butter, sugar, and ube extract for that eye-catching color. Mix these up, then gradually add flour and salt until a sticky, unified dough forms. This is the foundation of your Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch, so take a moment to enjoy the gorgeous purple transformation happening right before your eyes!

Step 2: Knead and Proof the Dough

Once mixed, switch to the dough hook and knead for about 5-7 minutes—the dough should feel slightly tacky but elastic. Transfer it to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let proof in a warm spot for roughly 30 minutes. The dough is ready when doubled in size; don’t let it go too long or you’ll lose some of that signature soft, chewy texture that makes these ube rolls unforgettable.

Step 3: Mix Up the Ube Cinnamon Filling

While the dough is rising, whip together the ube halaya, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a bit of butter. This intensely purple, aromatic mixture is exactly what will set your Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch apart, delivering a swirl of flavor and color in every bite. Set aside and resist the urge to taste-test too much!

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Flour your work surface and tip out the risen dough. Pat it into a rectangle, then roll it to about 15 by 12 inches—don’t stress about perfection here! If the corners look uneven, gently stretch the dough to even them out; what matters most is a relatively uniform surface to spread out your flavorful filling.

Step 5: Spread the Ube Cinnamon Filling

With a spatula or back of a spoon, spread the ube cinnamon mixture generously over the surface of your dough. Get right to the edges, because every bite deserves its fair share of gorgeous purple filling!

Step 6: Roll and Slice

Starting from the long side, use both hands to roll the dough tightly into a log. Once you’re finished, mark off nine equal sections along the roll—this ensures every Ube Cinnamon Roll from Scratch is perfectly portioned. Use a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss for beautiful, even slices that won’t squish your swirls.

Step 7: Second Proof in the Pan

Arrange your rolls in a greased 9-inch baking dish in a snug 3-by-3 formation. Cover and let them rise again in a warm spot for about 30 minutes so they puff up and fill the pan, which guarantees that beautiful, lofty texture!

Step 8: Pour Over the Heavy Cream

Once your rolls have puffed up, pour the heavy cream slowly over the tops. This step takes your Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch from delicious to downright decadent—the cream soaks in as they bake, yielding a luxuriously tender and gooey crumb.

Step 9: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then bake the rolls for 21 to 23 minutes. The tops should be gently golden, the sides a luscious purple, and your kitchen smelling like pure happiness.

Step 10: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your rolls are baking, whip together the softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, salt, and confectioners’ sugar until it’s fluffy and cloud-like. This frosting is rich, tangy, and creamy—a dreamy match for the sweet, spiced ube filling.

Step 11: Frost and Enjoy!

Once the rolls are out of the oven and only slightly cooled, spread the frosting generously over the top so it melts into all those crevices. These Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch are at their absolute best served warm, sticky, and with plenty of frosting in every bite.

How to Serve Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

Garnishes

For extra flair, top your rolls with a sprinkle of ube powder, a dusting of cinnamon, or even a scatter of toasted coconut flakes. A few fresh berries or edible flowers will make your Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch just as eye-catching on the table as they are delicious.

Side Dishes

Pair these vibrant rolls with lightly sweetened hot chocolate, a creamy latte, or fruity teas that won’t overpower the delicate ube flavor. If you’re serving brunch, a simple fruit salad or creamy yogurt works beautifully alongside these sweet, pillowy rolls.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving each roll in an individual ramekin for personal-sized treats, or arrange the batch on a bright platter so that everyone can see those beautiful purple swirls. For parties, cut the rolls in half and stack vertically—like colorful sticky buns—alongside a small bowl of extra frosting for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch tasting fresh, store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you live somewhere warm, refrigerate to avoid the cream cheese frosting melting, just bring them back to room temp before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked and unfrosted cinnamon rolls by tightly wrapping them in plastic and then foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature, then slather with fresh cream cheese frosting—they’ll be just as soft and flavorful as the day you made them.

Reheating

Pop a roll in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300 degree oven (covered with foil) for 5-7 minutes. This quick reheat restores that gooey, freshly-baked quality that makes Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch so addictive!

FAQs

Can I make Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough entirely by hand, just expect it to be a bit sticky at first. A sturdy silicone spatula and some muscle will get you there—just knead until the dough is elastic and slightly tacky.

What is ube, and where do I find ube extract or ube halaya?

Ube is a purple yam native to the Philippines, loved for its naturally vibrant color and gently sweet, nutty flavor. Find ube extract and ube halaya jam at Asian grocery stores, specialty retailers, or online—some supermarkets are even starting to stock them months out of the year!

Can I prepare the rolls the night before?

Yes! After shaping the rolls and placing them in the pan, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and do their second rise in the morning, then bake as directed for perfectly fresh Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch, right when you want them.

Is it possible to use regular cinnamon roll dough for this recipe?

You can use classic dough, but the final result won’t have the signature purple color or subtle flavor of the real deal. Using ube extract (and a bit of jam) makes a surprising difference in both taste and appearance—don’t skip it if you want true Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch.

Can I make these vegan?

With a few swaps—plant-based milk, vegan butter and cream cheese, and a flax or chia egg—you can absolutely veganize this recipe! Be sure to check your ube extract and jam for any dairy, but most are already vegan-friendly.

Final Thoughts

No matter your experience level, bring a little (or a lot) of joy to your kitchen with these Ube Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch. Bold in color and even bolder in flavor, they’re destined to make every breakfast, brunch, or sweet craving extra memorable. Go on—give them a try and let the purple magic work its charm!

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