Heavenly Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Purple Paradise: Luscious Ube Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Recipe

Soft, pillowy dough swirled with vibrant ube cinnamon rolls creates a delightful twist on a classic breakfast treat.

These stunning purple-hued pastries blend Filipino and American baking traditions in one delectable package.

The rich, deep purple hue of ube adds a stunning visual appeal to traditional cinnamon rolls.

Fragrant warm spices mingle with the unique earthy sweetness of ube, creating an unexpected flavor profile.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious, tangy finish that perfectly complements the sweet roll.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will transport you to a bakery paradise.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this magical recipe and impress everyone at the breakfast table.

How To Roll Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Yeast Awakening

Warm milk meets sugar and yeast in a cozy bowl, creating a magical bubbling mixture that signals the start of something delicious.

  • Dough Creation

Blend ube halaya, melted butter, eggs, and salt into the yeasty base. Softly incorporate flour until a tender dough emerges, transforming into a smooth, stretchy delight through gentle kneading.

  • Dough Transformation

Let the dough rest and rise in a warm sanctuary, expanding and developing rich flavors and soft texture.

  • Flavor Layering

Spread a seductive blend of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon across the rolled-out dough, creating a swirling landscape of sweetness.

  • Roll and Shape

Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, slicing into perfect spirals that promise delectable bites. Nestle these beauties into a waiting baking dish.

  • Baking Magic

Slide the rolls into a hot oven, watching them transform into golden, puffy treasures with tantalizing aromas filling the kitchen.

  • Creamy Crowning

Whip cream cheese and butter into a silky frosting, balancing sweetness with a luxurious texture that will make taste buds dance.

  • Final Flourish

Lavish the warm rolls with creamy frosting, creating a decadent treat that whispers pure comfort and joy.

Flavor Ideas For Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Ube Cinnamon Rolls Magic Moments
  • Yeast Activation Hack: Ensure milk is warm (not hot) around 110°F to perfectly activate yeast without killing it. Warm milk helps yeast bloom faster and creates softer rolls.
  • Dough Texture Pro Tip: Knead until dough feels smooth and springs back when gently pressed. Adding ube halaya makes dough slightly wetter, so adjust flour gradually for perfect consistency.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare rolls the night before by refrigerating assembled rolls after second rise. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to reach room temperature.
  • Gluten-Free Transformation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for similar texture. Use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour for best results.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy milk with coconut or almond milk. Replace butter with coconut oil and use vegan cream cheese for frosting to create a plant-based version of these delightful rolls.

Serving Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting Fresh

  • Purple Paradise Plating: Garnish rolls with vibrant purple ube sprinkles or toasted coconut flakes for an eye-catching tropical presentation that highlights the unique ube flavor.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Serve these rolls as a centerpiece for weekend brunches, pairing them with Filipino-inspired coffee or a light tropical fruit salad that complements the sweet, rich flavors.
  • Flavor Enhancer: Drizzle extra ube halaya on top of the cream cheese frosting or sprinkle with ground cinnamon and edible lavender petals for an extra layer of aromatic indulgence that elevates the rolls' visual and taste experience.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the rolls the night before, refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free, delicious breakfast that fills the kitchen with warm, comforting aromas.

Keeping Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting Soft

  • Fridge Fresh Trick: Wrap individual ube cinnamon rolls tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Gently reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before enjoying.
  • Freezer Friendly Technique: Stash unbaked rolls in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let rise at room temperature before baking for fresh-tasting rolls.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough and assemble rolls the night before, then cover and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to let them come to room temperature.
  • Frosting Finesse: Store cream cheese frosting separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it soften at room temperature before spreading on warm rolls.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients In Decadent Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

For Dough Base:
  • Warm Milk: Activates yeast and creates soft, tender texture with rich protein content.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough rising, providing airy and light roll structure.
  • Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to enhance flavor profile.
  • Melted Butter: Ensures rich, tender crumb and contributes to golden-brown exterior.
  • Large Eggs: Binds ingredients, adds structure, and provides rich, smooth consistency.
  • Ube Halaya: Introduces vibrant purple color and unique Filipino sweet potato flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation and creates soft, pillowy texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten development in dough.
For Filling Ingredients:
  • Softened Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable filling with rich, creamy consistency.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel notes and helps create gooey, moist filling.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements ube's sweet profile.
For Frosting Components:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, creamy base with luxurious, velvety texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth, spreadable frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting for perfect drizzling consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with subtle, sophisticated aromatic notes.
  • Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for ideal spreading and drizzling texture.

Gear To Prepare Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Stand Mixer or Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and kneading dough efficiently.
  • Dough Hook: Perfect for kneading dough quickly and with minimal effort.
  • Rolling Pin: Crucial for rolling out the dough into a uniform rectangle.
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and presenting the cinnamon rolls.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk or Electric Mixer: Great for beating cream cheese and creating smooth frosting.
  • Sharp Knife or Bench Scraper: Helps in cutting the rolled dough into even pieces.
  • Damp Cloth or Plastic Wrap: Used for covering dough during rising periods.
  • Spatula: Useful for spreading filling and frosting evenly.
  • Baking Sheet (optional): Can be used as an alternative to the baking dish.
Print
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Heavenly Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Heavenly Ube Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe


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4.6 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Indulgent ube cinnamon rolls reveal Philippine culinary magic with rich purple sweet potato dough. Creamy cream cheese frosting and warm spices create a delightful dessert you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (125 grams) ube halaya (purple yam jam)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters/8 fl oz) warm milk
  • 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsps (45 milliliters) milk (for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar, letting it foam and become bubbly, indicating active fermentation.
  2. Create Dough Base: Blend melted butter, eggs, ube halaya, and salt into yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour until a smooth, purple-tinged dough forms.
  3. Knead and Rise: Work dough on floured surface until elastic, then place in greased bowl covered with damp cloth. Allow to rise in warm spot until volume doubles.
  4. Prepare Filling: Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a fragrant spread while dough rises.
  5. Shape Rolls: Roll dough into rectangular sheet, spread filling evenly, leaving slight border. Tightly roll into log, creating spiraled pattern.
  6. Slice and Proof: Cut log into 12 even rounds, positioning in greased baking dish. Let rolls undergo second rise until puffy and touching.
  7. Bake and Frost: Preheat oven to 375F, bake rolls until golden brown. Meanwhile, whip cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla into smooth frosting.
  8. Finish and Serve: Generously coat warm rolls with cream cheese frosting, transforming them into a luxurious, ube-infused delicacy.

Notes

  • Activate Yeast Carefully: Ensure milk is lukewarm (110-115°F) to prevent killing yeast; cold milk won’t activate, while hot milk will destroy the microorganisms.
  • Control Moisture in Dough: Add flour gradually to achieve soft, slightly tacky dough; too much flour creates dry, dense rolls, while too little makes them sticky and difficult to handle.
  • Optimize Rising Environment: Place dough in warm, draft-free area around 80-85°F; using a slightly warmed oven or near a sunny window helps consistent and faster rising.
  • Master Frosting Texture: Allow cream cheese and butter to reach room temperature for smooth blending; chill frosting briefly if too soft for perfect spreading consistency.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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