Mochi muffins with crispy tops and edges filled with swirls of purple yam puree in every bite. These ube mochi muffins are delicious and so perfect for sharing.
Happy Sunday!
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
It’s been another busy weekend for me. On Friday, we went to House of Prime Ribs to celebrate my cousin’s job promotion and my sister’s graduation. My sister doesn’t officially graduate until the end of spring, but she finished all her classes. So many reasons to celebrate!
And today! My boyfriend, Gordon, and I are taking a New Orleans cooking class at Sur La Table to learn how to make chicken and sausage gumbo, shrimp and grits, and banana foster. I seriously cannot wait to learn how to make New Orleans style dishes and share them with you.
But in the mean time, we have to talk about these ube mochi muffins.
I’m so excited to share these ube mochi muffins with you. For the past couple years, I’ve been sort of obsessed with the mochi muffins I’ve bought from local cafes. Especially all the different flavors from Third Culture Bakery. And so I’ve been wanting to make my own for a little while now.
These ube mochi muffins are variations from these Butter Mochi Cake, these Matcha Butter Mochi Cake, and these Blueberry Mochi Cake. All of which taste amazing. But as much as I love the mochi cake versions, I decided that I want to try to make the muffin version. I mean, those crispy edges <3
Mochi muffins have a crispy top when it comes fresh out of the oven. The inside is soft and chewy and the outside has a layer of crispiness which I absolutely love. It’s kind of like brownies. Do you love the soft fudgy centers or do you love those chewy edges? This version of mochi muffins is filled with ube, or purple yam, which you can find at the local Asian supermarket. It’s the one with the dark skin. Ube has a dark purple center that’s sweet and perfect for desserts. You’re very likely to see more ube dessert recipes in the future.
Over the holidays, I made so many batches of mochi muffins trying to figure out how to get the best crispy top and chewy center. In the end, I brought the many variations I made to a holiday potluck party for everyone to try. Lol
I absolutely love that these ube mochi muffins are filled with fresh ube puree. The dark purple color of the ube turns the center of the mochi muffins a light purple. Every bite of the mochi muffins is filled with a hint of coconut and ube. One of my favorite flavors right now.
First, steam the ube until the center is soft. You can test if the ube is cooked through by testing with a fork. If the fork goes through the center easily, the ube is cooked through. This takes about 20-30 minutes depending on how big the ube is. Allow the ube to cool down completely before removing from the pot. Peel off the skin and use a masher to mash the ube until it becomes mashed and smooth. Set aside for now.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Use cooking oil spray to spray the muffin tins until all the surface is completely covered. The well greased muffin tins will help create the flat tops of the muffins, adding to the crispy edges. Set aside for now.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together melted butter, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until combined.
In another mixing bowl, sift together the mochiko flour (sweet rice flour) and baking powder. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until all the ingredients are combined.
Pour in the evaporated milk, coconut milk, and add ube puree. Mix until the batter comes together. The batter will appear liquidy. Spoon the ube mochi batter into the prepared muffin tin until it’s just below the top. I like using a small ladle to do this. Once you’re done dividing the batter into each of the muffin tins, take the tray and hold it about an inch above the counter and drop it a few times. This helps remove any air bubbles.
Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top if desired.
Bake the mochi muffins for 40-45 minutes. Remove the ube mochi muffins from the oven when the top is browned. Test its readiness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out mostly clean, the mochi muffins are ready. Every oven is a little different so start checking at around 38-40 minutes for readiness.
Serve the ube mochi muffins warm. They taste best the same day.
This recipe makes about 20-22 mochi muffins depending on how well you fill the muffin tins. I recommend preparing two 12 cup muffin tin pans and baking simultaneously on different racks. But you can also bake them one batch first and then a second after.
Enjoy!
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, beatened
- 16 oz mochiko flour (sweet rice flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 - 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1 - 16 oz can coconut milk
- 1½ cups ube/purple yam puree
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Use cooking oil spray to spray the muffin tins until all the surface is completely covered. The well greased muffin tins will help create the flat tops of the muffins, adding to the crispy edges. Set aside for now.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together melted butter, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until combined.
- In another mixing bowl, sift together the mochiko flour (sweet rice flour) and baking powder. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until all the ingredients are combined.
- Pour in the evaporated milk, coconut milk, and add ube puree. Mix until the batter comes together. The batter will appear liquidy. Spoon the ube mochi batter into the prepared muffin tin until it’s just below the top. I like using a small ladle to do this. Once you’re done dividing the batter into each of the muffin tins, take the tray and hold it about an inch above the counter and drop it a few times. This helps remove any air bubbles.
- Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top if desired.
- Bake the mochi muffins for 40-45 minutes. Remove the ube mochi muffins from the oven when the top is browned. Test its readiness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out mostly clean, the mochi muffins are ready. Every oven is a little different so start checking at around 38-40 minutes for readiness.
- Serve the ube mochi muffins warm.
Ada Chow says
Hi, can I use glutinous rice flour instead of mochiko flour?
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Hi Ada! Yes, glutinous rice flour should be the same as mochiko flour
RJ says
Any specifics on the butter? How much is one stick? 1 cup?
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Hi RJ! 1 stick of butter = 1/2 cup. Hope that helps!
Aileen says
Ok thank you but I ended up buying frozen grated Ube instead to use in this recipe.
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Did it work out with the frozen grated ube for you?
Aileen Duffek says
Can I use ube powder that turns into a paste?
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I haven’t tried it with ube powder. But I would incorporate it with the dry ingredients. Like with this matcha version.
https://cookingwithawallflower.com/2019/03/10/matcha-butter-mochi-cake/
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. I would just incorporate it with the dry ingredients and then do everything else the same as the recipe.
Mai Tran says
Hi do I melt the butter in microwave or on stove top? Does it matter?? Can’t wait to make this:)
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
You can melt them in the microwave. Hope you like them!
Mai Tran says
Thank you. Did you use a regular or mini size muffin tin?
Mai Tran says
Oops I saw that you made them in reg muffin tins. Can I use the mini ones. If yes how long do you think I should bake it for?
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I haven’t tried using a mini tin, but I would maybe bake for half the time. Or just check periodically with a toothpick to see if they’re ready.
Mai Tran says
Thank you so much. I made the matcha ones today and they are amazing. Thank you for sharing 💕
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Mai! Thank you so much for trying it!
Jessie S says
so cute!
Content Catnip says
These look AMAAAZING!
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thank you!
emilyrsheppard says
This looks yummy. I’m nervous to try but I might attempt to make these babies! Thanks for sharing ❣️
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I hope you’ll get the chance to try it, Emily!
blainerestaurantreport says
Funny I see this today. I just watched a video last night on a 116 year old Japanese bakery in Los Angeles that makes all kinds of Mochi pastries
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Oooh, I’d love to try that bakery.
shreyakhetan says
Looks sooo good !!!!
Andrea | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thank you!