Name: Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: ½ cup warm water (about 110°F); 1 package active dry yeast (0.25 oz); 1 tsp granulated sugar; ½ cup milk; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp salt; ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 large eggs (room temperature and lightly beaten); 4 cups all purpose flour; 1 tbsp canola oil (or any flavorless oil); 15 oz ube jam; ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and allowed to cool slightly + 3 tbsp melted butter for brushing); ½ cup packed brown sugar; 1 ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

If you’ve ever wanted to make something that’s a little bit nostalgic, a little bit exotic, and absolutely irresistible, then you’re going to love what I have for you today — Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe. These fluffy buns, filled with sweet and creamy ube jam and topped with toasty coconut, are one of my all-time favorite Filipino treats to bake at home. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft, pillowy bread: The dough always comes out perfectly light and fluffy, thanks to the warm milk and careful kneading.
Authentic Filipino flavors: Ube jam and toasted coconut create that signature sweet and nutty combo I crave every time.
Fun and rewarding to make: I found this recipe super straightforward, and it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s impressive but not intimidating.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s a casual snack or something special for dessert, these rolls always steal the show.

The image shows two pieces of soft, flaky bread rolls with visible layers on a white plate. Each roll consists of several layers of light beige dough intertwined with a thick, purple filling, creating a spiral pattern inside. The outer surface of the bread is slightly golden brown with a smooth texture. Below the rolls, there is a small pile of toasted, shredded coconut adding a rough texture and light brown color contrast. The setting features a white marbled surface blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe really starts with simple pantry staples paired with the vibrant sweetness of ube jam. I’ll walk you through each ingredient and why it’s key to the perfect roll.

Warm water: Just the right temperature wakes up the yeast without killing it—make sure it feels warm but not hot to your wrist.
Active dry yeast: This little powerhouse makes your bread rise beautifully; fresh yeast always works best.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the yeast feed for a better rise.
Milk: I use whole milk for that creamy texture that keeps the dough soft and tender.
Salt: It balances the sweetness perfectly and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted butter (room temperature and melted): Soft butter for richness in the dough, melted for brushing the rolls to get that shiny, golden finish.
Eggs (large, room temperature): Eggs add structure and tenderness — make sure they’re not cold, or your dough might seize up.
All-purpose flour: This is your bread’s foundation; try to measure by weight if you can for consistency.
Canola oil: Any neutral oil works—just enough to keep the rolls soft and moist.
Brown sugar: Mixed with shredded coconut for that caramelized topping so many love.
Unsweetened shredded coconut: Toasted to perfection, it brings texture and a toasty flavor contrast to the sweet bread.
Ube jam: The star ingredient — vibrant, sweet, and creamy; this makes the rolls unforgettable.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this recipe depending on what I have in the kitchen or my mood that day. Feel free to make these Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe your own — the possibilities are so fun!

Vegan Version: I once swapped butter for coconut oil and used a flax egg — the texture was slightly different but still deliciously soft and full of flavor.
Topping Twist: Adding chopped toasted macadamia nuts to the coconut topping gives a delightful crunch my family went crazy for.
Ube Jam Alternative: If ube jam isn’t readily available, sweet purple yam paste or even dulce de leche works surprisingly well, offering new flavor profiles.
Gluten-free Adaptation: I haven’t personally mastered it yet, but using a gluten-free baking mix plus xanthan gum could be a fun challenge if you want to experiment.

How to Make Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast and Prep Your Ingredients

Start by warming your water to around 110°F — it should feel warm but not hot. Sprinkle the active dry yeast in with a teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it’s bubbly and frothy. This signals the yeast is alive and ready to work. While you wait, soften your butter and bring your eggs and milk to room temperature for better dough texture.

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the frothy yeast mixture with milk, granulated sugar, salt, room temperature butter, eggs, and canola oil. Slowly incorporate the flour, a cup at a time, mixing it in until a sticky dough forms. When it’s too tough to stir, dust your countertop with a little flour and knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. I always set a timer because it’s easy to underestimate this step, but the dough will feel soft and springy when ready.

Step 3: First Rise – Let Your Dough Puff Up

Place your kneaded dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and leave it in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. I like to preheat my oven to the lowest setting for a few minutes, turn it off, and then set the dough inside with the door slightly open — it creates a cozy rising environment that’s foolproof.

Step 4: Shape, Fill, and Brush Your Rolls

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and flatten each one slightly. Spoon a generous teaspoon of ube jam into the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, pinching the edges to seal. Place the rolls seam-side down in your baking tray. Brush the tops with the melted butter to get that golden crust, and sprinkle your brown sugar and shredded coconut mixture generously on top.

Step 5: Second Rise and Bake to Perfection

Cover the rolls loosely and let them rest for another 30-40 minutes to puff back up. Then, bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them — you want that shiny butter glaze and toasted coconut topping just right. Once baked, brush again with a little more melted butter for extra lusciousness.

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Pro Tips for Making Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

Perfect Yeast Activation: Always test your yeast before mixing — if it doesn’t foam, it’s dead. I’ve saved many batches by starting fresh yeast early enough.
Soft Dough Handling: Keep your hands lightly oiled while kneading sticky dough; this feels weird at first but prevents the dough from sticking and over-flouring.
Sealing the Filling: Pinch and seal well around the ube jam to avoid leakage during baking — I learned this after a few messy attempts!
Don’t Skip the Second Rise: Patience here is key — skipping it leads to dense rolls, and no one wants that.

How to Serve Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe

The image shows a golden brown roll on a white plate, with a purple spiral filling visible in the center, resting on a small pile of shredded light brown coconut. Behind this plate is a small white bowl filled with white shredded coconut, placed on a white and red striped towel. To the left, there is a white cup of espresso on a white saucer. In the bottom left corner, a small white bowl contains smooth purple paste. In the top left corner, a glass tray holds more golden brown rolls with the same purple spiral filling. Everything is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of toasted sesame seeds on top of the coconut for a subtle nutty kick and extra texture. You can also dust the rolls lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation if you’re serving them for dessert.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair beautifully with a hot cup of Filipino-style coffee or tea. For brunch, I often serve them alongside fresh tropical fruit like mango or pineapple to brighten the plate and complement the creamy ube flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these rolls in a wreath shape on a platter, brushing with extra butter, and scattering edible flowers or more coconut around. It’s a real showstopper and a great conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, and they still taste fresh and soft. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in a sealed bag helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these rolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag. They thaw beautifully overnight in the fridge and still taste nearly as fresh as the day they were baked.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the roll in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave it wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20-30 seconds. This keeps them moist without drying out the bread or filling.

FAQs

Can I use frozen ube jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the ube jam completely and gently warm it to make spreading and filling easier. Cold jam can be too thick to handle and might tear the dough when wrapping.
What if my dough doesn’t rise?

It usually means your yeast was either expired or the water temperature was too hot or cold. Always test your yeast by dissolving it in warm water with sugar first—if it doesn’t bubble, it’s time for fresh yeast.
Can I make these rolls ahead of time before baking?

Yes! You can shape the rolls, place them in the pan, cover and refrigerate overnight. Just bring them back to room temperature and let them rise a bit before baking the next day.
Is it okay to substitute coconut with another nut?

Definitely. Toasted almonds or pecans work well for texture and a nutty flavor, especially if you prefer less coconut flavor. Just be sure to toast them lightly for best results.

Final Thoughts

These Ube Bread Rolls with Coconut and Ube Jam Recipe have become a special part of my baking rotation because they bring together such amazing flavors and textures in one beautiful package. The combination of soft bread, creamy ube jam, and toasty coconut topping feels like a warm hug every time I bite into one. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try — I’m confident you’ll love sharing these with your family and friends as much as I do!