Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

If you are ready to indulge in a dessert that’s as stunning to look at as it is delightful to eat, then this Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream is about to become your new obsession. Imagine a warm, tender cake with a molten, sweet ube center that oozes with every spoonful, perfectly balanced by the creamy, cold vanilla ice cream melting on top. This heavenly treat combines the vibrant, earthy flavors of ube with the richness of white chocolate, creating a dessert experience that’s both unique and comfortingly familiar. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a craving for something extraordinary, this ube lava cake ensures every bite is pure bliss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are delightfully simple but truly essential, coming together to form the cake’s rich texture, its luscious molten center, and its striking purple color. Each one plays a key role in bringing out the delicate, sweet flavor of ube while balancing it with creamy, smooth components.

• White chocolate chips: These melt into a velvety base that pairs beautifully with the earthiness of ube.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, helping the cake stay tender and decadent.
• Large eggs and egg yolks: Provide structure and a silky texture that makes the lava center possible.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter just right to enhance the ube’s natural flavor.
• Ube halaya (ube jam): The star ingredient that delivers vibrant color and authentic ube flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the cake body without weighing it down.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavor elements.
• Ube extract: Boosts the ube aroma and deepens that gorgeous purple hue.
• Vanilla ice cream: The perfect cool, creamy counterpoint to serve on top.
• Non-stick spray or butter: For greasing ramekins so the cakes release effortlessly after baking.

How to Make Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

Step 1: Prepare Your Ramekins

Start by preheating your oven and greasing your ramekins thoroughly with non-stick spray or butter. This small step is crucial to make sure your lava cakes release perfectly with a soft, molten center intact. Set them aside while you work on the batter.

Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate and Butter

In a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave, gently melt together the butter and white chocolate chips until smooth. This glossy mixture forms the luscious base of your lava cake, so take your time to get it silky and fully combined.

Step 3: Whisk Eggs, Yolks, and Sugar

In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs, egg yolks, and granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale, thick, and slightly frothy. This aeration step is key for a tender cake with a light crumb that melts in your mouth.

Step 4: Combine Ube and Chocolate Mixtures

Slowly fold the melted white chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture. Then add the ube halaya and ube extract, stirring gently but thoroughly to ensure a vibrant purple batter packed with authentic, sweet ube flavor.

Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients

Sift the flour and salt over the batter and carefully fold everything together until just combined. Overmixing can weigh down the batter, so gentle folding preserves the lava cake’s delicate structure.

Step 6: Fill Ramekins and Bake

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared ramekins. Place them on a baking tray and bake for about 12 to 14 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly—this is what guarantees that molten core.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once baked, let the cakes rest for 2 minutes before carefully inverting each onto a plate. Serve immediately with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for the ultimate Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream experience.

How to Serve Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

Garnishes

To elevate your Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, consider dusting a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or edible flowers for a sweet, whimsical touch. Toasted coconut flakes or a drizzle of white chocolate sauce can also add texture and deepen the flavor profile.

Side Dishes

While this dessert shines on its own, pairing it with fresh fruit like ripe mango slices or berries provides a fresh contrast to the rich, molten cake. A small cup of brewed coffee or tea complements it perfectly by cutting through the sweetness and cleansing the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try serving your Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream in small mini ramekins for a party platter. You can also top each cake with a tiny scoop of ube ice cream or sprinkle crushed pistachios for added crunch and a pop of color that looks as great as it tastes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, store the baked lava cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind the texture of the molten center is best fresh but gentle reheating can bring back some of that magic.

Freezing

To freeze unbaked lava cakes, fill your ramekins with batter, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to one month. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time for perfect results.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated lava cakes in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 5–7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible—it can cook the edges unevenly and dry out the molten center. Serve immediately with cold vanilla ice cream for that perfect hot-and-cold dessert sensation.

FAQs

Can I use purple yam instead of ube halaya in the Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream?

Yes, you can use cooked and mashed purple yam if ube halaya is unavailable, though the jam’s sweetness and consistency contribute specifically to the melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor, so expect a slightly different taste.

What makes the lava center in the Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream?

It’s the careful balance of baking time and the high fat content from white chocolate and butter that keeps the middle molten and gooey while the outer cake firms up.

Can I prepare this dessert ahead of time for guests?

Absolutely! You can assemble batter in ramekins a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated until ready to bake, ensuring fresh molten centers for your guests.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute butter with a dairy-free margarine and use dairy-free white chocolate chips, but it may subtly change the texture and flavor. Use coconut-based vanilla ice cream for topping to keep it completely dairy-free.

How important is ube extract in the recipe?

Ube extract enhances both the aroma and color, making the cake taste more vibrant. If you prefer, you can omit it, but the final result may be less distinctly ube-flavored and less intensely purple.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a warm, luscious Ube Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, feeling the molten center envelop your palate in the most wonderful way. It’s a dessert that sparks smiles and invites you to slow down and savor each bite. Whether you’re making it for yourself as a sweet treat or impressing friends and family, this cake is sure to become a beloved classic in your kitchen. Give it a go—you deserve a little decadent magic today.

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