Coconut Ube Besito Cookies (Printable)

Tender purple yam and coconut cookies blending Filipino and Latin flavors. Perfect for sharing with tea.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam)
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins & Coating

09 - 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
10 - 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (for rolling)
11 - 2 tablespoons ube extract (optional, for color and flavor)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg, ube halaya, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Add ube extract if using for deeper color and flavor.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
06 - Fold in the sweetened shredded coconut until evenly distributed.
07 - Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in desiccated coconut to coat completely.
08 - Place the coated balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
09 - Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden on the bottoms.
10 - Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These tiny cookies pack an enormous punch of flavor despite their bite-sized appearance
  • The fusion of Filipino ube and Latin coconut creates something entirely new and familiar all at once
  • Theyre incredibly forgiving in the kitchen and nearly impossible to mess up
02 -
  • Overmixing the dough will make these tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears
  • The ube halaya can vary in sweetness between brands, so taste your dough before baking
  • These cookies continue firming up as they cool, so dont be alarmed if they seem soft leaving the oven
03 -
  • If your dough feels too sticky to roll, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes first
  • Desiccated coconut creates a fluffier coating than sweetened shredded coconut would
  • These freeze beautifully for up to three months if stored in an airtight container

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