Ube Rice Krispies
A vibrant purple twist on the classic American treat. Marshmallow and Rice Krispies infused with ube extract — the unmistakable Filipino purple yam flavor that makes everything better. Quick, easy, and perfect for meal prep dessert portions.
📹 Watch Christian Make This
Macro Breakdown (Per Bar, ~60g)
The Story Behind Ube
Ube (pronounced oo-beh) is a purple yam native to the Philippines and a cornerstone of Filipino dessert culture. From ube halaya (jam) to ube ice cream to ube pandesal, this vibrant purple ingredient shows up in everything sweet across the islands. Its flavor is subtle — mildly sweet, nutty, with a hint of vanilla — but its color is unmistakable.
In recent years, ube has gone global. It's popped up in everything from lattes to doughnuts to cheesecakes at trendy bakeries worldwide. But for Filipinos, ube has always been there — at every birthday party, every potluck, every holiday table. It's comfort food in purple.
Christian's version takes an American childhood classic — Rice Krispies treats — and gives it a Filipino upgrade with ube extract. It's the kind of treat that makes you smile, fits into a controlled macro plan as a portioned dessert, and never fails to get questions at potlucks. "Why is it purple?" is the best conversation starter.
Ingredients
- 450g marshmallows
- 200g Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 ml ube extract
- 4-6 tbsp butter (optional, for non-stick)
Instructions
Melt the marshmallows. Add all marshmallows to a large pot over low heat. Stir continuously to prevent burning. Keep the heat low — burnt marshmallow tastes bitter and ruins the batch.
Add butter if needed. If the marshmallows are sticking, add 4-6 tbsp of butter to the pot and stir until fully incorporated. This also adds a richer flavor.
Add the ube extract. Pour in 10 ml of ube extract and stir until the color is evenly distributed throughout the melted marshmallow. You should see a consistent purple hue.
Mix in Rice Krispies. Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the pot while still on low heat. Fold gently until all the cereal is coated in the purple marshmallow mixture. Work quickly before it sets.
Set and chill. Transfer the mixture to a greased tin tray or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down firmly and evenly with a greased spatula or your hands. Chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes until firm. Cut into bars.
💡 Christian's Tips
- Low heat is non-negotiable. Marshmallows burn fast. The second you see browning, your batch is compromised. Keep it on the lowest setting your stove has.
- Use Butterfly or McCormick ube extract. Butterfly brand is the classic Filipino choice — deep purple color, authentic flavor. Available at any Asian grocery or Amazon.
- Portion control is the key. Cut into equal bars and log each one in your tracker. These are treats, not free food — but they fit into macros when you plan for them.
- Add protein powder for a macro boost. Mix 1-2 scoops of vanilla whey into the melted marshmallow before adding cereal. Adds 25-50g protein to the whole batch.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They get hard in the fridge, so only chill them to set — then move to the counter.
Full Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per Bar (~60g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~180 kcal |
| Protein | 2g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 120mg |
Common Questions
Where can I buy ube extract?
Asian grocery stores (Seafood City, H Mart, 99 Ranch) carry Butterfly brand ube extract in the baking aisle. It's also widely available on Amazon. Don't confuse ube extract with ube halaya (jam) — the extract gives you color and flavor without changing the texture.
Can I make these without butter?
Yes — the butter is optional and mainly prevents sticking. Without it, you save about 10 calories per bar. Just make sure to grease your tray well with cooking spray and work quickly while the marshmallow is still warm and pliable.
How do I fit a dessert like this into a fat-loss plan?
Portion and pre-log. Cut the bars to a size that fits your remaining macros for the day — even a half bar at 90 calories can satisfy a sweet craving. The key is planning it in, not treating it as a cheat. Christian builds dessert portions into every client's meal plan.
