Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins

Featured in: Sweet Simple Treats

These soft, chewy muffins feature a vibrant purple color from ube and bursts of tartness from dried cranberries. Mochiko sweet rice flour creates a distinct, moist texture, and a touch of coconut on top adds extra flavor. Perfect to enjoy at breakfast or as a snack, these gluten-free muffins come together easily in just under an hour. With options to swap coconut milk or fresh cranberries and the flexibility of vegetarian ingredients, this treat showcases Filipino-American fusion baking. Each batch yields a dozen muffins ready to enjoy at home or on the go.

Updated on Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:21:00 GMT
Soft Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins fresh out of the oven, invitingly vibrant purple.  Pin Recipe
Soft Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins fresh out of the oven, invitingly vibrant purple. | fordishes.com

Soft, chewy muffins with a vibrant purple hue, blending sweet ube and tart cranberries for a unique fusion treat. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

I first baked these muffins for a Sunday brunch, excited to blend my favorite Filipino ube with classic American cranberries. The colors were enchanting and every bite was a delightful surprise for both kids and adults.

Ingredients

  • Sweet rice flour (mochiko): 2 cups (250 g)
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 ½ tsp
  • Salt: ¼ tsp
  • Whole milk: 1 cup (240 ml)
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Unsalted butter (melted and cooled): ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube puree: 1 cup (220 g)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • Dried cranberries: ½ cup (60 g)
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional, for topping): 2 tbsp (16 g)

Instructions

Prep Muffin Pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together sweet rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, ube halaya, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
Mix Batter:
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Add Cranberries:
Fold in dried cranberries gently.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle coconut flakes on top if using.
Bake:
Bake for 32–36 minutes, or until muffins are set and tops spring back when gently pressed.
Cool and Serve:
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Pin Recipe
| fordishes.com

These muffins quickly became a favorite for after-school snacks. My family loves how chewy and vibrant they are, especially topped with coconut flakes for extra texture.

Required Tools

You will need a 12-cup muffin tin, mixing bowls, a whisk, measuring cups, measuring spoons, and a wire rack for cooling.

Allergen Information

This recipe contains eggs, milk, and butter (dairy). Coconut is present if flakes are used. Always confirm gluten-free status by checking ingredient labels.

Nutritional Information (per muffin)

Calories: 210. Total Fat: 7 g. Carbohydrates: 36 g. Protein: 3 g.

Chewy Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins topped with coconut flakes, perfect for breakfast treats.  Pin Recipe
Chewy Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins topped with coconut flakes, perfect for breakfast treats. | fordishes.com

Serve these muffins with tea or coffee for a colorful breakfast. They stay moist for days and make a wonderful gluten-free treat any time.

Ube Cranberry Mochi Muffins

Soft, chewy fusion muffins blending sweet ube and tart cranberries. Vibrant color and unique flavor.

Prep Duration
15 mins
Cooking Duration
35 mins
Complete Time
50 mins
Recipe by Fordishes Ava Reynolds


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Fusion (Filipino-American)

Makes 12 Number of Servings

Diet Details Vegetarian Option, Gluten-Free

Ingredient List

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups sweet rice flour (mochiko)
02 1 cup granulated sugar
03 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
04 ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup whole milk
02 2 large eggs
03 ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
04 1 cup ube halaya (purple yam jam) or ube puree
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

01 ½ cup dried cranberries
02 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cavity.

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sweet rice flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.

Step 03

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together whole milk, eggs, melted butter, ube halaya, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 04

Incorporate Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to retain the desired muffin texture.

Step 05

Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the dried cranberries using a spatula.

Step 06

Portion and Top: Using a scoop or spoon, divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Sprinkle coconut flakes on top if desired.

Step 07

Bake: Place muffin tin in the oven and bake for 32 to 36 minutes, until the muffins are set and the tops spring back when gently pressed.

Step 08

Cool: Remove from oven and let muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Needed Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy Info

Double-check ingredients for allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains eggs, milk, and butter (dairy).
  • Gluten-free, but verify rice flour and other ingredient labels for certification.
  • Contains coconut if flakes are used.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

For informational use only—doesn't replace personalized medical direction.
  • Calories: 210
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 3 g