Thanksgiving Ube Cookie Dessert

Featured in: Sweet Crunch

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a festive dessert tray filled with chewy ube cookies featuring vibrant purple color and creamy white chocolate chips. These treats fuse American and Filipino flavors for delightful sharing at gatherings. The dough combines ube halaya, extract, and classic cookie ingredients, enhanced by optional macadamia nuts. Bake until soft-centered, arrange on a decorative tray, and add a drizzle of melted chocolate for extra sparkle. Serve alongside coffee or hot chocolate to complete your holiday table. Perfect for vegetarians and easily adapted for nut-free preferences.

Updated on Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:39:00 GMT
Vibrant Thanksgiving ube cookie dessert tray with chewy cookies and white chocolate chips.  Save
Vibrant Thanksgiving ube cookie dessert tray with chewy cookies and white chocolate chips. | kookycrunch.com

A festive dessert assortment featuring vibrant, chewy ube cookies with white chocolate chips, perfect for sharing at Thanksgiving gatherings.

I first made these cookies for our Thanksgiving potluck and they quickly disappeared, drawing compliments for their rich flavor and playful hue.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 1/4 cups
  • Baking soda: 1 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Unsalted butter (softened): 1 cup
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup
  • Light brown sugar (packed): 1/2 cup
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Pure vanilla extract: 1 1/2 tsp
  • Ube halaya (purple yam jam): 1/2 cup
  • Ube extract: 1 tsp
  • White chocolate chips: 1 cup
  • Chopped macadamia nuts (optional): 1/2 cup

Instructions

Prep:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Combine Dry:
Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
Beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs & Flavor:
Beat in eggs one at a time until well combined. Stir in vanilla, ube halaya, and ube extract until fully mixed and purple.
Combine Mixtures:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until incorporated.
Mix-Ins:
Fold in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts if using.
Shape:
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake:
Bake 12–15 minutes until edges set and centers still soft.
Cool:
Let cookies cool on tray for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack.
Serve:
Arrange cooled cookies on a decorative tray.
A festive spread of colorful ube cookies, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings and sharing.  Save
A festive spread of colorful ube cookies, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings and sharing. | kookycrunch.com

Last Thanksgiving, these cookies became a fun topic among my cousins, who loved guessing the secret ingredient behind their color.

Required Tools

Prepare mixing bowls, electric mixer, measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, parchment paper, a cookie scoop or tablespoon, and a wire rack before you begin.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie contains 160 calories, 7 g total fat, 23 g carbohydrates, and 2 g protein.

Serving Suggestions

Drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with edible gold dust for extra festive flair. Pair them with hot chocolate or coffee for a cozy holiday treat.

Chewy ube cookies with white chocolate chips on a decorative tray for holiday enjoyment. Save
Chewy ube cookies with white chocolate chips on a decorative tray for holiday enjoyment. | kookycrunch.com

Bring something new to your Thanksgiving table with this cookie tray. The ube flavor and bright colors will delight guests of all ages.

Recipe FAQ

What gives these cookies their purple color?

Ube halaya and ube extract deliver the vibrant purple hue and unique flavor to these cookies.

Can the white chocolate chips be substituted?

Yes, try semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, or omit for a less sweet option.

How do I make this nut-free?

Simply omit the macadamia nuts. The cookies remain soft and flavorful without them.

Can these cookies be made ahead for gatherings?

Absolutely, bake ahead and store in an airtight container for up to three days before serving.

What pairs well with ube cookies?

Hot chocolate, coffee, or festive teas complement the sweet, creamy flavors wonderfully.

How to achieve a festive presentation?

Arrange cookies on a decorative tray, drizzle with melted white chocolate, and add edible gold dust if desired.

Thanksgiving Ube Cookie Dessert

Vibrant, chewy ube cookies with white chocolate chips create a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
15 min
Complete duration
40 min
Created by Jake Peterson


Skill level Easy

Heritage American-Filipino Fusion

Output 10 Portions

Diet considerations Meat-free

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
04 2 large eggs
05 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 1/2 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
07 1 teaspoon ube extract

Mix-ins

01 1 cup white chocolate chips
02 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts (optional)

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Trays: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until evenly combined.

Phase 03

Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Phase 04

Incorporate Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, ube halaya, and ube extract until fully blended and the mixture turns a vibrant purple.

Phase 05

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined for a tender dough.

Phase 06

Fold in Chocolate and Nuts: Gently fold in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts if using, ensuring even distribution.

Phase 07

Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing approximately 2 inches apart.

Phase 08

Bake Cookies: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are set and centers remain slightly soft.

Phase 09

Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from oven and cool on trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Phase 10

Arrange for Serving: Place cooled cookies on a decorative tray for presentation.

Necessary tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each component carefully for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about any ingredient.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, white chocolate), and nuts (macadamia, if included). For nut-free preparation, omit macadamia nuts and verify ingredient labels for cross-contamination risks.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 160
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g