Thanksgiving Ube Cookie Dessert Tray

Featured in: Sweet Twists

Cherish holiday moments with a festive assortment of chewy, vibrant ube cookies. These American-Filipino fusion treats blend the earthy flavor of purple yam jam and sweet notes of white chocolate chips, offering a delightful balance of color and taste. Simple mixing, bright purple dough, and gentle baking create cookies that are soft inside with crisp edges. Serve the cooled cookies arranged on a decorative tray to bring joy to Thanksgiving gatherings. Add melted white chocolate or edible gold dust for extra flair, and pair with hot beverages for cozy sharing. Customize with or without nuts to suit all preferences.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:19:00 GMT
Vibrant Thanksgiving ube cookie dessert tray with chewy white chocolate chip delights. Save
Vibrant Thanksgiving ube cookie dessert tray with chewy white chocolate chip delights. | fryflick.com

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

I first made this ube cookie dessert tray for a Thanksgiving celebration and everyone loved the unique fusion of flavors and vibrant purple color.

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

Prepare Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract, ube halaya, and ube extract until fully combined and mixture turns vibrant purple.
Form Dough:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
Add Mix-ins:
Fold in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts if using.
Shape Cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Bake:
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly soft.
Cool:
Remove from oven and let cool on tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve:
Arrange cooled cookies on a decorative tray for serving.
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This tray of ube cookies was a huge hit at our holiday table and everyone reached for seconds, making it our new Thanksgiving tradition.

Required Tools

You will need mixing bowls, an electric mixer, measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, parchment paper, a cookie scoop or tablespoon, and a wire rack.

Nutritional Information

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

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies with hot chocolate or coffee, or drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle edible gold dust for a festive touch.

Festive assortment of ube cookies, perfect for Thanksgiving sharing and cozy gatherings. Save
Festive assortment of ube cookies, perfect for Thanksgiving sharing and cozy gatherings. | fryflick.com

Enjoy creating a memorable Thanksgiving dessert, where every bite brings a burst of color and flavor to your gathering.

Recipe Guide

What gives the cookies their purple color?

The vibrant purple hue comes from ube halaya (purple yam jam) and ube extract, which add color and unique flavor.

Can I use different nuts instead of macadamia?

Yes, pecans or other nuts work well. Simply substitute macadamia or omit altogether for a nut-free option.

How do I achieve chewy texture?

Beat butter and sugars thoroughly, avoid overmixing the dough, and remove cookies from the oven when centers are slightly soft.

Are the cookies vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, all ingredients are vegetarian. For nut allergies, omit macadamia nuts and check labels for traces.

What’s the best way to serve these cookies?

Arrange cooled cookies on a decorative tray and serve with hot chocolate, coffee, or festive beverages for gatherings.

Can I add more chocolate or decorations?

Drizzle melted white chocolate and sprinkle edible gold dust for a festive touch, enhancing both flavor and presentation.

Thanksgiving Ube Cookie Dessert Tray

Share chewy ube cookies with white chocolate chips on a festive dessert tray, ideal for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
15 min
Complete duration
40 min
Created by Olivia Parker


Complexity Easy

Heritage American-Filipino Fusion

Output 8 Portions

Dietary guidelines 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)

Method

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.

Phase 03

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until pale and fluffy using an electric mixer.

Phase 04

Incorporate Eggs and Ube: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, ube halaya, and ube extract until an evenly colored mixture forms.

Phase 05

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined without overworking the dough.

Phase 06

Add Mix-ins: Fold in white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts if desired, ensuring even distribution.

Phase 07

Portion the Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart for even baking.

Phase 08

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

Phase 09

Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Phase 10

Arrange and Serve: Display cooled cookies on a decorative tray before serving to guests.

Tools needed

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

Allergy details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains: Wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter, white chocolate), nuts (macadamia if used). Substitute macadamia nuts for a nut-free version and verify all packaging for allergen statements.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 160
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g