Ube crinkle sandwich cookies

There’s a certain magic that happens when you bake, especially when vibrant colors start to emerge from the oven. The first time I saw these gorgeous purple hues developing, I knew I was in for a treat with these ube crinkle sandwich cookies.

I remember thinking how incredible it was to take a classic crinkle cookie and give it such an unexpected, delightful twist, making it utterly unforgettable. It’s like discovering a whole new world of flavor in something so familiar.

It reminds me a bit of the unexpected brightness you find in a perfectly made lemon bar cookie, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved dessert that just makes you smile.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Crafting these delightful cookies means bringing together a few special components that truly sing in harmony, especially the vibrant ube extract that gives them their signature color and subtle, sweet, vanilla-like flavor, making these ube crinkle sandwich cookies unforgettable. For the filling, we’re relying on creamy coconut milk or cream, which is absolutely essential for that luscious, tropical balance.

It’s a different kind of bright flavor than say, a lemon blueberry cookie, but equally captivating in its own way.

How to Make Ube crinkle sandwich cookies

My journey into making these started with mixing the dough, watching that beautiful ube extract swirl into a mesmerizing purple. It’s always such a joy to see that color come to life.

Then came the fun part of rolling each dough ball generously in powdered sugar, anticipating that signature crinkled texture that would magically appear in the oven as they baked to a soft perfection. The anticipation alone is half the fun!

The kitchen always fills with the most incredible aroma during this time, a sweet, earthy scent that hints at the tropical delight to come, much like the comforting smell when you bake a batch of lemon crinkle cookies.

Pro Tips

Always make sure your dough is well-chilled before rolling; this is absolutely crucial for achieving those deep, beautiful crinkles and preventing your cookies from spreading too much.

Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour; just combine until barely mixed, ensuring your cookies stay tender and soft. An overmixed dough can lead to a tough cookie, and we definitely don’t want that for these ube crinkle sandwich cookies.

Bake them just until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft; they will continue to cook a little on the baking sheet as they cool, guaranteeing a perfectly chewy texture.

My Secret Trick: For the ultimate sandwich experience, let the filled cookies set for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This allows the coconut filling to firm up nicely and all the flavors to meld together beautifully.

How to Store Ube crinkle sandwich cookies

• Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and keep the filling firm.
• Unfilled cookies can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
• The coconut filling can be prepared ahead of time and stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutritional Benefits

Beyond their captivating color and incredible taste, these ube crinkle sandwich cookies offer a little something extra thanks to their star ingredient. Ube, or purple yam, is known for being a good source of antioxidants, giving you a tiny dose of goodness with each delightful bite.

The coconut in the filling also brings healthy fats, which contribute to satiety, making these a truly satisfying treat that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

FAQs

What is ube?

Ube is a purple yam, celebrated in Filipino cuisine for its vibrant color and distinct flavor. It has a subtly sweet, vanilla-like taste with earthy undertones, making it a unique and delicious ingredient in many desserts.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and filling a day or two in advance. Store the dough wrapped tightly in the fridge and the filling in a separate airtight container. Assemble them just before serving for the freshest taste.

Why didn’t my cookies crinkle properly?

The most common reasons for a lack of crinkles are not enough powdered sugar coating or insufficient chilling of the dough. Ensure your dough balls are heavily coated and properly chilled for that beautiful, signature effect.

Can I substitute the coconut filling?

You certainly can! While the coconut pairs wonderfully with ube, you could try a cream cheese frosting or even a simple vanilla buttercream for these sandwich cookies, though it will change the flavor profile.

Antonio

Ube Crinkle Sandwich Cookies

A vibrant and delightfully chewy ube crinkle cookie filled with a creamy, subtly sweet ube-infused cream cheese frosting makes for an unforgettable sandwich cookie experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12 sandwich cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Filipino

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Ube Crinkle Cookies

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter softened
• 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 Large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Ube extract
• 0.5 cup Powdered sugar for rolling

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 4 ounces Cream cheese full-fat, softened
• 0.25 cup Unsalted butter softened
• 1.5 cups Powdered sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Ube extract optional, for subtle color

Equipment

• Large mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (stand or hand)
• Baking Sheets
• Parchment Paper

Method

 

Prepare the Dough

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened 0.5 cup unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the 2 teaspoons ube extract until the mixture is uniformly purple.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be soft. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This step is crucial for the crinkle effect!

Bake the Cookies

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the 0.5 cup powdered sugar for rolling in a shallow bowl. Scoop rounded tablespoons of chilled dough and roll them into balls. Generously roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar, ensuring it's completely coated. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. The cookies will spread and develop their crinkled appearance. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. You'll need about 24 cookies total for 12 sandwich cookies.

Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

• While the cookies cool, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened 4 ounces cream cheese and 0.25 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the 1.5 cups powdered sugar, beating until fully incorporated and fluffy. If using, mix in the 0.5 teaspoon ube extract for a hint of color and flavor.
• Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous amount of cream cheese filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Gently top with another cookie, pressing lightly to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Serve immediately or store.

Notes

Don't skip the dough chilling step! It helps the cookies hold their shape, prevents excessive spreading, and is crucial for achieving those signature crinkles. Ensure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature. This makes for a smoother, more emulsified batter and a lump-free filling. If the powdered sugar isn't sticking well to your dough, you can very lightly dampen your hands or even a tiny bit of water on the dough balls before rolling.

Conclusion

I truly hope you’ll give these beautiful ube crinkle sandwich cookies a try; they bring such a unique burst of flavor and joy to any occasion. They’re a delightful way to explore new tastes, and I promise you, they will surprise and impress everyone.

Baking them feels like creating a little piece of art, and the taste is just pure happiness, much like the sweet surprise of a strawberry crinkle cookie. Enjoy every single bite!