Baked Ube Mochi Donuts

These baked ube mochi donuts combine a crispy exterior with a soft, chewy inside, providing a delightful contrast of textures. The infusion of ube from both the jam and extract ensures a deep, sweet, and earthy flavor that’s balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the glaze.

They’re not only delicious but visually striking, with their purple hue that makes them stand out on any dessert table. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as a unique gift for the food lovers in your life, these mochi donuts are sure to impress with both their texture and taste.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

⅔ cup mochiko sweet rice flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
2 tablespoons ube halaya jam
¾ teaspoon ube extract
½ teaspoon purple food coloring
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon whole milk, at room temperature

Ube Glaze:

1½ teaspoons ube halaya jam
2 teaspoons whole milk (split into 1½ teaspoon and ½ teaspoon portions)
½ cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon ube extract
Sprinkles, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center of the oven. Lightly spray a donut pan with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mochiko sweet rice flour, baking powder, and kosher salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, granulated sugar, and egg yolks together. Then, add the ube halaya jam, ube extract, and purple food coloring, and whisk until well combined.
Gradually mix in the milk, followed by the dry ingredients, until the batter is just combined.
Pour the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity to the brim.
Bake for 35 minutes. When done, the top of each donut should bounce back when pressed and a skewer inserted should come out with a few crumbs attached.
Cool the donuts in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the glaze, whisk together ube halaya jam and milk. Gradually whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar, one quarter at a time, until smooth. Add the ube extract and whisk in the remaining milk to loosen the glaze if needed.
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, then flip to place the glazed side up. Garnish immediately with sprinkles.
Serve and enjoy! Best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 200 kcal per donut
Servings: 6 donuts

The Allure of Mochi Donuts

Mochi donuts have grown in popularity in recent years, especially in the United States, where food trends from Asia have captured the public’s imagination. Traditional mochi, typically made into chewy rice cakes, is reimagined in this recipe as the base for donuts. The texture of mochi gives the donuts a satisfying bite that is different from regular cake or yeast donuts, which tend to be light and fluffy. The chewiness is a key feature that sets mochi donuts apart and is what makes them so addictive. These donuts hold up well and remain soft and chewy for hours after baking, making them perfect for snacking throughout the day.

The appeal of mochi donuts is undeniable. When combined with the distinct flavor of ube, the result is a donut that not only offers an unforgettable texture but also a bold, beautiful color. The purple hue of ube is what makes these donuts stand out visually, giving them an eye-catching appearance that is sure to impress anyone who sees them.

The Importance of Ube in Filipino Cuisine

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine. It is prized for its sweet, nutty flavor and vibrant purple color, which can be seen in various Filipino desserts, such as ube ice cream, ube cake, and halo-halo, a popular Filipino shaved ice dessert. Ube is often boiled or steamed, mashed, and then mixed with sugar to make ube halaya, a thick, sweet spread or jam.

The ube halaya jam used in this recipe adds a rich and authentic ube flavor, while the ube extract intensifies that flavor. The use of both in the batter and the glaze ensures that the ube flavor shines through in every bite. For those who have never tasted ube before, the flavor is often described as a blend of vanilla, sweet potato, and coconut, with a subtle earthiness that makes it incredibly unique. It’s no wonder that ube has become a trending ingredient in the culinary world.

Gluten-Free Baking with Mochiko Sweet Rice Flour

One of the standout features of these Baked Ube Mochi Donuts is that they are gluten-free. By using mochiko sweet rice flour, which is made from glutinous rice, these donuts provide the same chewy texture that traditional mochi has but without any gluten. This makes the recipe accessible to those with gluten sensitivities or those who follow a gluten-free lifestyle.

Mochiko sweet rice flour can typically be found in the Asian or gluten-free sections of grocery stores. It’s important to note that mochiko is not the same as regular rice flour, so it is crucial to use the correct type for this recipe. While regular rice flour may not give the donuts the same chewy texture, mochiko ensures that these donuts have the perfect consistency. The use of mochiko is a key component in making these donuts so special.

Tips for Perfect Baked Ube Mochi Donuts

Measuring Ingredients Accurately: When baking, accuracy is key. Be sure to measure your ingredients precisely to ensure the right texture and flavor. Using a kitchen scale can be incredibly helpful, especially when dealing with ingredients like mochiko sweet rice flour and sugar.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: The batter for these donuts is relatively simple, but it’s important not to overmix it. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough donuts instead of the light, chewy texture that makes mochi donuts so appealing. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep the batter smooth and lump-free.
Prepare Your Donut Pan: Don’t forget to spray your donut pan with cooking spray just before pouring in the batter. This will ensure the donuts come out easily after baking. Additionally, be sure to fill the donut cavities all the way to the top, as these donuts do not rise significantly during baking.
Cooling Before Glazing: Once the donuts are out of the oven, it’s important to allow them to cool completely before glazing them. If you glaze them while they’re still warm, the glaze will melt and won’t set properly, resulting in a sticky mess. Cooling them allows the glaze to firm up and creates a beautiful, glossy finish.
Glaze Variation: The glaze for these donuts is made with ube halaya jam, ube extract, and confectioners’ sugar. However, if you want to experiment with different flavors, you can add a touch of vanilla extract or even coconut milk to the glaze for a more tropical twist.

Serving Ideas and Pairings

These baked ube mochi donuts are perfect for various occasions. They can be served at a breakfast or brunch gathering, as a snack with a cup of coffee or tea, or as a unique dessert for a special occasion. Their beautiful purple color makes them especially perfect for events such as birthday parties, baby showers, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a visually striking and delicious treat.

To elevate the experience, you can pair these donuts with other Asian-inspired desserts or beverages. For example, you could serve them alongside a cup of matcha green tea or a refreshing coconut water. If you’re hosting a brunch, these donuts would pair wonderfully with tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya. For a more decadent pairing, you can serve them with a scoop of ube ice cream, complementing the ube flavor in the donuts and providing an extra creamy texture.

Conclusion: A Unique and Delightful Treat

In conclusion, Baked Ube Mochi Donuts are a must-try treat for anyone who loves to explore new flavors and textures in the kitchen. Their crispy exterior, chewy interior, and vibrant ube flavor make them an unforgettable dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re new to ube or have been a fan of the flavor for years, these donuts will surely become a favorite in your baking repertoire.

The combination of traditional Filipino ingredients, modern baking techniques, and a gluten-free twist makes these donuts stand out from the crowd. They offer a unique balance of flavors and textures that is sure to delight anyone who tries them. So, why not give these Baked Ube Mochi Donuts a try and enjoy the delicious, chewy goodness of this Filipino-inspired dessert?