Can I Add Ube Extract To A Milk Bread Recipe​

Ube has become a beloved ingredient in the culinary world, particularly in the Philippines and other parts of Asia, where it’s used in everything from ice cream to pastries. The vibrant purple yam, often called "purple sweet potato," offers not just a stunning color but also a unique flavor that's earthy, sweet, and nutty. One of the more popular uses of ube is in baking, particularly in ube bread recipes, where the extract or puree of the yam is incorporated into the dough to create fluffy, colorful loaves and rolls. But when it comes to adding ube extract to a milk bread recipe, many wonder if it will work and how it might change the texture and flavor of the bread.

In this article, we will explore the process of adding ube extract to a milk bread recipe, the potential benefits of doing so, and answer common questions surrounding ube bread recipes, including the use of an extraction machine to obtain ube extract. We will also discuss some variations, such as ube bread machine recipes, ube bread roll recipes, and even ube bread gluten-free alternatives.

What is Ube?

Before diving into the specifics of using ube extract in bread recipes, it's important to understand what ube is. Ube is a type of yam indigenous to the Philippines, scientifically known as Dioscorea alata. It has a deep purple color, often mistaken for purple sweet potatoes but different in both flavor and texture. Ube is naturally sweet, with earthy undertones and a creamy, smooth consistency when cooked or pureed, making it perfect for use in desserts and baked goods.

While ube is often used as a puree in recipes, ube extract can also be purchased or made using an extraction machine. This extract is a concentrated form of the ube's essence, providing the same vibrant color and unique flavor without the need for large quantities of yam.

How Does Ube Extract Work in Bread?

Adding ube extract to your bread dough can transform a standard milk bread recipe into something special. The extract provides both a natural sweetness and a beautiful color to the bread, without overpowering the traditional flavor of the milk bread.

In a typical milk bread recipe, the dough is made with ingredients like flour, milk, butter, sugar, yeast, and eggs, with the goal of creating a soft, fluffy loaf. Ube extract can be added to the liquid ingredients, such as milk or egg, and mixed into the dough. The extract does not significantly alter the texture of the bread if used in moderate amounts, but it does affect the color, making the bread visually striking.

The Function of Ube Extract in the Dough

The main function of ube extract in the dough is to add flavor and color. Ube extract brings a rich, earthy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the creamy, soft texture of milk bread. Moreover, the deep purple color of the ube extract will give the bread a visually stunning appearance, turning a simple loaf into a showstopper.

If you’re aiming for a more intense ube flavor or a stronger color, you can also consider using ube powder or ube paste, which are more concentrated forms of ube compared to the extract. However, this may require adjusting the proportions of liquid in the recipe to prevent the dough from becoming too dry.

Ube Extract vs. Ube Powder

One common question among bakers is: what’s the difference between ube extract and ube powder? Both are used in baking, but they differ in their composition and flavor intensity.

• Ube extract is a concentrated liquid, typically made by extracting the flavor and color from the yam, often using an extraction machine. The process involves boiling or steaming the yam and then separating its flavor compounds into a concentrated form. The extract tends to have a more vibrant flavor and color.

• Ube powder, on the other hand, is made by dehydrating ube and grinding it into a fine powder. While it may offer a more intense flavor, the color may not be as rich or vibrant as that of ube extract. Ube powder also tends to absorb more liquid in the recipe, so adjustments need to be made to the liquid-to-dry ingredient ratio when using it in baking.

While both ube extract and ube powder can be used to create ube bread recipes, ube extract is generally more suitable for milk bread recipes, as it’s easier to incorporate into the dough and provides a more consistent result.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Ube Extract to a Milk Bread Recipe

Now that we’ve covered the basics of ube extract and its role in bread, let’s walk through a simple ube milk bread recipe to see how it works in practice.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ube milk mixture (made by mixing ube extract into milk)

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup tangzhong (optional but recommended for extra softness)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3 cups bread flour

• 1/4 cup milk powder

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

• 1 tablespoon butter (for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ube Milk Mixture: Start by mixing the ube extract into the milk. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined. This will be one of the wet ingredients for your bread dough.

2. Prepare the Tangzhong: If you’re using tangzhong (a Japanese method of making bread soft and fluffy), prepare it by mixing equal parts water and flour in a saucepan, cooking over low heat until it forms a thick paste. Let it cool to room temperature before adding it to the dough.

3. Add Ingredients to Bread Maker: If using a bread maker, add the ingredients in the following order: start with the wet ingredients (ube milk mixture, egg, tangzhong), followed by the dry ingredients (sugar, salt, flour, milk powder, and yeast). The yeast should be placed on top of the flour to prevent direct contact with the liquid ingredients.

4. Kneading and Proofing: Set your bread maker to the dough cycle. Once the kneading process is complete, allow the dough to rise for an hour or until it has doubled in size.

5. Shaping the Dough: Once the dough has proofed, punch it down to release the air and shape it into a loaf or rolls, depending on your preference.

6. Second Proofing: Let the shaped dough rise for another 30-45 minutes until it has puffed up again.

7. Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the dough with melted butter before placing it in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving. The resulting loaf should be soft, slightly sweet, and a beautiful shade of purple from the ube extract.

Variations of Ube Bread Recipes

Ube Bread Machine Recipe

If you own a bread machine, you can easily adapt your ube milk bread recipe for it. Follow the same basic steps, but ensure that the wet and dry ingredients are added in the correct order for your machine. Many bread makers have a specific order for adding ingredients to ensure proper kneading and rising. Some recipes also include a turnkey solution machine to automate the entire process, from mixing to baking, for convenience.

Ube Bread Roll Recipe

An ube bread roll recipe can be made using the same basic ingredients, but the dough is rolled into individual pieces, often filled with a mixture of ube and sugar. After shaping the dough into rolls, they are proofed and baked just like the loaf, resulting in soft, sweet, and visually striking rolls that are perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

Ube Condensed Milk Bread Recipe

For an even sweeter variation, try adding condensed milk to your ube bread recipe. The ube condensed milk bread recipe combines the rich, creamy flavor of condensed milk with the earthy sweetness of ube extract, resulting in an indulgent treat that’s perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Ube Bread Gluten-Free

If you're following a gluten-free diet, ube bread gluten-free alternatives are available. Simply replace the bread flour with a gluten-free flour blend, making sure to add a binding agent like xanthan gum to help the dough hold together. The ube extract remains a key ingredient in the recipe, ensuring the distinctive flavor and color remain intact.

Troubleshooting Ube Milk Bread

While making ube milk bread, you might encounter a few challenges. Here are some common questions:

Why is My Milk Bread Not Fluffy?

If your milk bread isn’t as fluffy as expected, it could be due to several factors:

• Under-kneading: Ensure the dough is kneaded properly to develop gluten, which contributes to the fluffiness.

• Old yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. Expired yeast will result in poor rise.

• Overproofing: Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size, but don’t overproof, or it may collapse.

What Makes Bread Soft and Fluffy?

Bread’s softness and fluffiness come from proper kneading and proofing. The use of tangzhong, a method that helps retain moisture in the dough, can also contribute to a softer texture.

What is the Difference Between Ube Extract and Powder?

Ube extract is a concentrated form of the ube flavor, typically in liquid form, while ube powder is made by drying and grinding the ube. The extract provides more intense flavor and color, while the powder may be more neutral.

Conclusion

Adding ube extract to a milk bread recipe can elevate the bread by adding a unique flavor and vibrant color. Whether you're using a traditional ube bread recipe, a bread machine, or experimenting with a gluten-free version, ube extract is a fantastic ingredient that brings both taste and visual appeal to your baking. With the right equipment, such as a Turnkey Solution Machine or Plant Extraction Machine, you can ensure that your ube extract is of the highest quality, giving your bread a professional touch.