Viral TikTok Cloud Bread… but Ube
Viral TikTok Cloud Bread… but UBE 💜😋 is a easy Filipino recipe that serves 4. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by Nomtastic Foods on YouTube.
Prep: 25 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 47 min
Cost: $2.15 total, $0.54 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 large Egg Whites (room temperature, separated from yolks)
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (fine granulated sugar for stable meringue)
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch (sifted before folding)
- 1/4 cup Ube Puree (unsweetened, can be homemade or store‑bought ube jam)
Instructions
Separate Egg Whites
Separate the egg whites from the yolks, ensuring no yolk contaminates the whites. Place the whites in a clean, dry mixing bowl.
Time: PT5M
Whip Egg Whites to Soft Peaks
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, whisk the egg whites until they become frothy and form soft peaks.
Time: PT5M
Add Sugar Gradually
Increase mixer speed to high and add the granulated sugar a tablespoon at a time, allowing each addition to dissolve before adding the next. Continue until stiff, glossy peaks form.
Time: PT5M
Fold in Cornstarch and Ube Puree
Sift the cornstarch over the whipped egg whites, then gently fold in the ube puree using a rubber spatula. Fold just until incorporated; do not over‑mix.
Time: PT5M
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). While it heats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 350°F
Bake the Cloud Cake
Spoon the batter onto the prepared parchment in 2‑inch rounds, leaving space between each. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool and Serve
Remove the cakes from the oven, transfer the sheet to a cooling rack, and let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve immediately for the fluffiest texture.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 18 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, Vegetarian
Allergens: Eggs
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Egg Whites: Aquafaba (1/4 cup per egg white), Egg white powder reconstituted
- Instead of Granulated Sugar: Caster sugar, Superfine sugar
- Instead of Cornstarch: Potato starch, Tapioca starch
- Instead of Ube Puree: Purple sweet potato puree, Beet puree (for color only)
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
- Cooling Rack (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Whipping egg whites to stiff, glossy peaks
- Gradually adding sugar without deflating the meringue
- Gentle folding of cornstarch and ube puree to retain air
- Baking at a fully preheated oven without opening the door early
Chef Tips from the Video
- Add a pinch of cream of tartar (1/8 tsp) to the egg whites for extra stability.
- For a deeper purple hue, use a small amount of natural purple food coloring in addition to the ube puree.
- Serve with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Troubleshooting
Cake collapses immediately after removing from the oven.
Make sure the egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks and that you did not over‑mix after adding ube. Also, avoid opening the oven door during the first 8 minutes of baking.
Meringue is grainy or sugar does not dissolve.
Continue beating the meringue a little longer; the sugar should dissolve completely and the mixture feel smooth between fingers.
Cake is dense instead of fluffy.
Check that the egg whites were at room temperature and that no yolk or grease contaminated them. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
Storage
Refrigerator: Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but texture will soften.
Freezer: Not recommended; the cake loses its airy structure when frozen and thawed.
Room temperature: Best eaten within 2‑3 hours at room temperature; keep covered to prevent drying.
Make-Ahead Tips
- You can whip the meringue and fold in ube puree up to 30 minutes ahead; keep the batter covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving.
- If the cake deflates slightly after cooling, gently re‑warm in a 300°F oven for 2‑3 minutes to revive some puff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Ube Cloud Cake in Filipino cuisine?
Ube, a purple yam, has been a beloved ingredient in Filipino desserts for centuries, symbolizing celebration and prosperity. The cloud cake adapts the traditional ube flavor into a modern, airy texture that went viral on TikTok, blending heritage with contemporary social‑media trends.
What are the traditional regional variations of ube‑flavored desserts in the Philippines?
Across the Philippines, ube appears in halo‑halo, ube halaya, and ube cake. Some regions add coconut milk or cheese, while others incorporate ube in pastries like ensaymada. The cloud cake is a newer, minimalist take that highlights pure ube flavor with a fluffy texture.
How is Ube Cloud Cake traditionally served in Filipino celebrations?
During fiestas and birthdays, ube‑based sweets are often presented on decorative platters. The cloud cake is typically served as bite‑size rounds, sometimes topped with grated cheese or a drizzle of condensed milk, making it a festive, eye‑catching treat.
What occasions or celebrations is Ube Cloud Cake traditionally associated with in Filipino culture?
Ube desserts are popular at birthdays, weddings, and Christmas gatherings. The airy cloud cake, with its striking purple hue, has become a trendy option for modern celebrations and social‑media‑friendly events.
What other Filipino dishes pair well with Ube Cloud Cake?
Pair the cloud cake with a cup of strong Filipino coffee (kapeng barako) or a glass of fresh buko (coconut) juice. For a dessert platter, serve alongside leche flan, mango sago, or a scoop of ube ice cream.
What makes Ube Cloud Cake special or unique in Filipino dessert cuisine?
Its combination of a light, airy texture with the deep, earthy sweetness of ube sets it apart from denser ube cakes and halaya. The four‑ingredient simplicity also makes it accessible for home cooks while still delivering a striking visual and flavor impact.
How has the Ube Cloud Cake evolved over time in Filipino social media culture?
Originally a TikTok trend featuring a plain cloud cake, Filipino creators added ube puree to give the cake a local twist. The recipe spread across platforms, inspiring variations with cheese topping, matcha swirl, or layered presentations, reflecting the dynamic nature of Filipino food trends.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Ube Cloud Cake?
Common errors include under‑whipping the egg whites, over‑mixing after adding ube, and opening the oven too early. Each of these can cause the cake to collapse or become dense.
Why does this Ube Cloud Cake recipe use cornstarch instead of flour?
Cornstarch provides a light, tender crumb without adding gluten, which helps maintain the cake’s airy structure. Flour would weigh the batter down and reduce the cloud‑like texture.
What does the YouTube channel Nomtastic Foods specialize in?
The YouTube channel Nomtastic Foods focuses on quick, viral‑style recipes that blend global food trends with Filipino flavors, delivering easy‑to‑follow tutorials for home cooks looking for fun and shareable dishes.
Last updated: September 1, 2026
