Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 4 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT

5 from 4 votes

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This luscious purple yam-flavored sticky rice cake topped with a generous layer of creamy custard is perfect for any occasion!

Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (1)
  • What is Ube Biko?
  • Ingredients Used
  • Tips When Making Ube Biko
  • No Oven? No Problem
  • Possible Variations
  • How to Store and Reheat Ube Biko
  • Recipe Video
  • Printable Recipe
  • Ube Biko with Custard Topping
  • More Ube Recipes

What is Ube Biko?

Ube Biko is a delectable fusion of two popular Filipino treats- Ube Halaya and classic Biko Kalamay.

To know what this Filipino delicacy is, let us first define Biko and Ube Halaya separately. Biko is a sweet Filipino sticky rice cake made of glutinous rice, coconut milk and condensed milk or sugar. While Ube Halaya is a rich purple yam jam made of mashed or pounded Ube mixed with coconut milk and sugar. The fusion of the two gives rise to a delightful purple sweet sticky rice cake called Ube Biko. In this recipe, I topped it with a custard topping to make it even more special!

If you are fond of the classic Biko, you will love this variation as well as my Biko Kalabasa recipe!

Ingredients Used

For the Biko

  • Glutinous rice – Also known as sticky rice. You cannot use regular rice in this recipe.
  • Coconut milk – Gives the biko a richer taste and creamier texture.
  • Water

For the Ube Halaya

  • Coconut milk and evaporated milk – Makes the mixture thick and creamy
  • Condensed milk – Adds sweetness to the purple yam puree.
  • Ube – The star of the dessert!

For the Custard Topping

  • Egg yolks – are needed to make the custard smoother and aids in making it firmer as it bakes.
  • Flour – Only a small amount will be required for this recipe. Just enough to thicken the mixture.
  • Coconut milk
  • evaporated milk
  • Condensed milk
Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2)

Tips When Making Ube Biko

  • You might be tempted to just pick purple yam randomly as they can all look the same on the shelf or basket. To make the best Ube Halaya, you have to choose the right ones, though. Check how here. You will also find useful tips on the same link.
  • If you have ready-made Ube Halaya, you may go ahead and use that instead to lessen your cook time. Or you can also make it in advance as it keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be frozen for a month or two.
  • Take note that the sticky rice should not be fully cooked when making the biko. It will continue to cook as you bake it.
  • It’s not necessary to constantly stir the sticky rice as it cooks. It’s okay to do so, once or a couple of times to prevent the bottom from burning, but don’t overdo it. It may result in mushy rice.
  • You will know when you Ube Biko is done when the custard is bubbly and golden. It is okay to have slightly charred spots.

No Oven? No Problem

A no-bake alternative for those who do not have an oven:

  1. Combine all the ingredients for the custard in a skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens to a gravy-consistency. Set Aside.
  2. If you have banana leaves, place a layer or two on a wide skillet or flat pan. Spread the cooked rice with ube evenly over the pan.
  3. Pour the custard over the rice and cover with a lid. Cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.
Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (3)

Possible Variations

Instead of a custard topping, you can also use latik, or latik sauce. These are great alternatives if you do not have an oven. Or you can make it simpler by topping it with grated cheese.

You can also make this recipe using ramekins or other oven-safe bowls instead to make single-serving sizes. If you are planning to make some to give away or to bring to a potluck party, make it in a disposable aluminum baking tray.

How to Store and Reheat Ube Biko

Make sure that it has fully cooked before storing. Place it in an airtight container and store for 2-3 days. Others manage to keep it for an entire week, but it won’t be as moist and appetizing. You may warm the Biko in the microwave for a few seconds or enjoy it chilled.

Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (4)

Printable Recipe

Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (5)

Print Review

Ube Biko with Custard Topping

5 from 4 votes

Ube Biko is a delectable fusion of two favorite Filipino treats- Ube Halaya and Classic Biko Kalamay. This luscious purple yam-flavored sticky rice cake topped with a generous layer of creamy custard is perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Bake Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course :Dessert, snacks

Servings =12

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

STICKY RICE:

  • 2 cups glutinous rice - washed and drained
  • ¾ can coconut milk
  • 1 cup water

UBE HALAYA:

CUSTARD TOPPING:

Instructions

  • Generously grease an 8x8-inch square pan or baking dish with oil.

  • ¾ can coconut milk, 1 cup water, 2 cups glutinous rice - washed and drained

    In a large pot over medium heat, mix together the coconut milk and water. Add the glutinous rice. Bring to a simmer then turn heat to low and cover. Let it cook until all liquids are absorbed. The rice should only be almost cooked at this point.

  • 1 can coconut milk, ¾ can evaporated milk, 2 cups ube

    While waiting, make the ube halaya, by putting the ube, coconut milk, and evaporated milk on a large pan or pot and cook over medium heat until fork tender. Use immersion blender or potato masher or wooden fork to mash into a puree.

  • ¾ can condensed milk

    Add the condensed milk and cook while constantly stirring until thick and smooth.

  • Add the half-cooked rice to the pan of ube halaya. Gently fold until completely combined. Transfer the rice into the greased pan and spread out evenly.

  • ¼ can condensed milk, ¼ can evaporated milk, ¼ can coconut milk, 2 pieces egg yolks, 1 tablespoon flour

    Mix all the ingredients for the custard in a bowl then pour this over the rice and bake at 180C for 15-25 minutes or until custard is cooked and turns golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 15gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 108mgPotassium: 492mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 161IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 193mgIron: 3mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Ayesa says

    how much ube halaya in a jar does the recipe require if not using home made halaya? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Use about 2 cups of the jarred ube halaya then add a cup or more of coconut milk or evaporated milk to have the same consistency as shown in the video.

      Reply

  2. Erlinda Kearns says

    Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (24)
    will try this recipe..haven't found a store that sells ube root...but I will give comments as soon as I make this.
    Looks very delicious and I love the colors: purple and gold...my University colors and state football.

    Reply

  3. Wilma says

    Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (25)
    Yummy yummy 🤤

    Reply

Ube Biko Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

FAQs

What is the English of biko? ›

Biko (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake)

What is purple yam spread dessert? ›

Ube halaya (pronounced ooh-bay ha-la-yah) is a very popular dessert in the Philippines. It's also called purple yam jam or ube jam or halayang ube. Ube is cooked, mashed, and then cooked again with dairy and sugar to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet pudding-like dessert.

Where did biko originated in the Philippines? ›

Biko appears everywhere in the Philippines and no one seems to question its origins—but it's probably from China, where rice is believed to have been first cultivated as a domestic crop.

What are the benefits of Kakanin? ›

Rice cakes are usually made from brown rice, which is a health benefit because whole grains provide fiber, carbohydrates and phytochemicals. They make a good snack because they are fat-free and low in calories, but they're not rich sources of other nutrients.

What does biko mean in Tagalog? ›

Biko is a sweet rice cake from the Philippines.

What country is biko from? ›

Steve Biko (born December 18, 1946, King William's Town, South Africa—died September 12, 1977, Pretoria) was the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. His death from injuries suffered while in police custody made him an international martyr for South African Black nationalism.

What does purple yam do to the body? ›

Purple yams are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins and vitamin C. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals ( 6 ). Free radical damage is linked to many chronic conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders ( 7 ).

What is the difference between taro and ube? ›

Ube is actually a purple yam. that originated from the Philippines, while taro. is a root that's enjoyed in many different continents. Ube and taro are often confused for each other. because of their rich purple color in many desserts, but taro is naturally white.

What is the difference between ube and taro dessert? ›

Is Ube Sweeter Than Taro? Generally, ube is sweeter than taro. It contains much more natural sugar, and its softer texture makes it taste sweeter in your mouth. However, both ube and taro usually have plenty of sugar added to them when used in desserts.

What is the most famous kakanin in the Philippines? ›

Puto. Arguably the most popular kakanin, this steamed rice cake is traditionally white in color, although it can also be tinged green or purple to indicate that its been flavored with pandan or ube, respectively. Like the French baguette, it is sometimes eaten alongside savory viands, most notably the dinuguan.

Is biko and suman the same? ›

On Panay Island where I was raised, we have at least three different kinds of suman: ibus (eeh-boos), which is the same sticky rice cake but wrapped in buri (palm leaves) and boiled; biko (bee-koh) made with whole rice kernels (not ground rice or rice flour) and cooked with coconut milk and brown sugar, then slathered ...

What is the history of biko recipe? ›

The origin of this classic Filipino rice cake is said to have evolved from the traditional practices of cooking rice in the Philippines. Rice has always been a staple food in Filipino cuisine and the combination of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar highlights the abundance of these crops in the Philippines.

Why is Filipino food so special? ›

#1 A Mix of Local and Foreign Cultures

It is because they sometimes recognize the Spanish, Chinese, Indian, or western traditions in a specific dish. For instance, the country has developed certain variations of Chinese noodles, or pancit, and spring rolls, or lumpia.

Why Filipino food is the best? ›

Quality Ingredients

Another reason why Filipino food is so good is that the ingredients are usually of very high quality. This is especially true of fish and seafood fresh in the Philippines. The country is known for its delicious seafood, which is often served grilled, fried, or in soup.

What do Filipinos use for eating? ›

Like many of their Southeast Asian counterparts Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks. The traditional way of eating is with the hands, especially dry dishes such as inihaw or prito.

What is biko in Africa? ›

Stephen Bantu Biko was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population.

What is the English of hanging rice? ›

Pusô or tamu, sometimes known in Philippine English as "hanging rice", is a Filipino rice cake made by boiling rice in a woven pouch of palm leaves.

Is biko and Suman the same? ›

On Panay Island where I was raised, we have at least three different kinds of suman: ibus (eeh-boos), which is the same sticky rice cake but wrapped in buri (palm leaves) and boiled; biko (bee-koh) made with whole rice kernels (not ground rice or rice flour) and cooked with coconut milk and brown sugar, then slathered ...

Is sticky rice and sweet rice the same? ›

Also known as “sweet rice” or glutinous rice (though it's gluten free), sticky rice is a large white grain that becomes translucent, shiny and extremely sticky when steamed. Sticky rice is a staple in Laos, where it is especially beloved, but it has ardent fans throughout Asia.

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