Fluffy Vegan Ube Cinnamon Rolls (with Ube Cream Cheese Icing)

Image Source: Sweet Simple Vegan

A stunning twist on a classic! These fluffy vegan ube cinnamon rolls are filled with sweet ube and topped with a vibrant ube cream cheese icing. Perfect for special breakfasts or brunch gatherings.

Why You'll Love These Vegan Ube Cinnamon Rolls

As a professional pastry chef, I'm constantly amazed by how versatile vegan baking can be. These vegan ube cinnamon rolls combine the nostalgic comfort of classic cinnamon buns with the vibrant, earthy sweetness of ube (purple yam). The result is a visually stunning pastry that's just as delicious as it is beautiful.

Ube, a staple in Filipino desserts, gives these rolls their signature purple hue and adds a delicate vanilla-nutty flavor. The addition of cream cheese icing made with ube extract creates the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. What makes this recipe special is how we maximize the ube flavor in every component - the dough, the filling, and the icing.

Recipe At a Glance:

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Rise Time: 1.5 hours
• Bake Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Servings: 12 rolls

Ingredients

For the Ube Dough:

• • 1 cup unsweetened plant milk (almond, soy, or oat), warmed to 110°F
• • 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• • ¼ cup granulated sugar
• • ¼ cup melted coconut oil or vegan butter, cooled slightly
• • ½ cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ½ cup mashed cooked ube
• • ½ tsp ube extract (for vibrant color)
• • 3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• • 1 tsp fine sea salt

For the Ube Filling:

• • ½ cup vegan butter, softened
• • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• • 2 tbsp ube halaya or mashed cooked ube
• • 1 tsp ube extract
• • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Ube Cream Cheese Icing:

• • 4 oz vegan cream cheese, softened
• • ¼ cup vegan butter, softened
• • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• • 1 tbsp ube halaya or mashed cooked ube
• • ½ tsp ube extract
• • 1-2 tbsp plant milk (if needed for consistency)

Chef's Tips for Ingredients:

• Find ube halaya at Filipino markets or make your own by boiling and mashing purple yams.
• Ube extract is essential for vibrant color - available on Amazon or specialty stores.
• For best results, use high-fat vegan butter and cream cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Ube Dough

1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together warm plant milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. If it doesn't bubble, your yeast may be old.
2. Mix wet ingredients: Add melted coconut oil, ube halaya, and ube extract to the yeast mixture. Whisk until smooth.
3. Knead the dough: Gradually add flour and salt, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
4. First rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Chef's Secret for Perfect Dough:

For an extra light texture, place the kneaded dough in the refrigerator for a slow rise (8-12 hours). The colder environment develops more complex flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.

2. Make the Ube Filling

1. Mix filling: In a small bowl, beat together softened vegan butter, brown sugar, ube halaya, ube extract, and cinnamon until smooth and spreadable.

3. Assemble the Rolls

1. Roll out dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the risen dough into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Keep even thickness throughout.
2. Add filling: Spread the ube filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on one long edge.
3. Roll tightly: Starting from the opposite long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
4. Portion rolls: Using unflavored dental floss or a sharp knife, cut into 12 even rolls (about 1½ inches wide each).
5. Second rise: Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes. They should look puffy but not quite doubled.

Pro Tip:

For evenly sized rolls, first mark 12 equal portions on the log before cutting. Use a sawing motion with the knife to prevent squashing the dough.

4. Bake to Perfection

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) while rolls are rising.
2. Bake for 22-25 minutes until tops are golden and centers are cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 190°F.
3. Cool slightly: Let rest for 10 minutes before icing.

5. Make the Ube Cream Cheese Icing

1. Beat ingredients: Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then ube halaya and extract.
2. Adjust consistency: Add plant milk 1 tsp at a time if needed to reach drizzling consistency.
3. Top warm rolls: Drizzle icing over slightly cooled rolls, letting it melt slightly into the crevices.

Expert Tips & Variations

Master Chef Techniques:

• • For vibrant color: Combine 1 tsp ube extract with ¼ tsp beet powder if your ube halaya isn't purple enough.
• • Flavor boost: Add ½ tsp coconut extract to the dough for tropical notes.
• • Make ahead: After portioning, rolls can be refrigerated overnight. Let rise at room temp 1 hour before baking.

Recipe Variations:

• • Gluten-free: Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
• • Nut-free: Use oat or soy milk instead of almond milk.
• • Mini rolls: Cut into 24 pieces for bite-sized treats.

Storage & Reheating:

Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for 5 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The dough can be frozen before baking - thaw in fridge overnight, then proof and bake.

Nutritional Information & Health Benefits

While these vegan ube cinnamon rolls are definitely an indulgent treat, ube offers some surprising nutritional benefits:

• • High in antioxidants: Ube's purple color comes from anthocyanins, powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.
• • Vitamin-rich: Contains vitamin C, vitamin A (as beta-carotene), and potassium.
• • Complex carbs: Provides more sustained energy than simple sugars.

Approximate nutrition per roll (with icing): 320 calories, 12g fat (8g saturated), 48g carbs, 1g fiber, 24g sugar, 3g protein.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These vegan ube cinnamon rolls make a spectacular centerpiece for special occasion brunches. Here are my professional pairing recommendations:

Beverage Pairings:

• • Dark roast coffee (balances the sweetness)
• • Matcha latte (creates beautiful color contrast)
• • Coconut milk hot chocolate (tropical flavor harmony)

Side Dishes:

• • Fresh tropical fruit salad
• • Savory tofu scramble
• • Coconut yogurt with granola

Presentation Tip:

For Instagram-worthy presentation, sprinkle with edible purple flowers, crushed pistachios, or toasted coconut flakes before serving. Serve on a lavender-colored plate to enhance the purple hues.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find ube extract?

Look in Asian grocery stores (particularly Filipino markets) or purchase online. McCormick now makes an ube extract available in some supermarkets.

2. Can I make these without ube extract?

While you'll lose some vibrant color and intense ube flavor, you can substitute with vanilla extract and a pinch of purple food coloring if needed.

3. Why are my rolls dry?

This usually means they were overbaked or the dough contained too much flour. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements and check for doneness at 22 minutes.

4. Can I use frozen ube?

Absolutely! Thaw frozen grated ube completely, then boil and mash with a little coconut milk to create ube halaya for this recipe.

5. How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly before serving to restore that fresh-baked texture.

Final Thoughts

These vegan ube cinnamon rolls represent everything I love about modern plant-based baking - unexpected flavor combinations, vibrant colors, and textures that rival traditional recipes. The ube adds a nuanced sweetness that's more complex than standard cinnamon rolls, while the cream cheese icing provides the perfect tangy counterpoint.

What makes this recipe truly special is how the ube flavor permeates every component - from the tender purple-hued dough to the rich filling and colorful icing. They're sure to be the star of any brunch gathering and may just become your new signature bake.

I'd love to hear how your vegan ube cinnamon rolls turn out! Leave a comment below with your experience or any creative variations you tried. Don't forget to share your creations on Instagram - tag me so I can admire your beautiful bakes!