Ube Crinkles

For one of my best friends' birthdays, we decided to host a party for her when all of our kids were home from college. That was last weekend. I had landed on a menu from our shared Motherland. Funny, after the party at least a few of my friends commented on being surprised that I knew how to cook Filipino food. I wasn't sure whether or not I should be amused or insulted.

This was part of my dessert tray: ube crinkles. Now, I now that I have been vocal about ube being overused. I stand by that. Ube lattes, ube pancakes, and every other ube item at Trader Joe's just needs to stop. But these cookies? These can stay.

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon pure ube extract

• 1/2 cup ube jam

• 1-3/4 cups flour (I used a gluten-free flour)

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 cup organic granulated sugar (for coating)

• 1/2 cup organic powdered sugar (for coating)

• Also needed: baking sheets, parchment paper or silicone mat, cookie scoop (optional)

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Place 1/2 cup granulated sugar in one bowl and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in another bowl for coating.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, egg, ube extract, and ube jam. Mix until smooth. Fold in flour and baking powder until just moistened.

Use a scoop to form balls or roll tablespoon-sized pieces of dough into balls. Roll each ball, first, in granulated sugar and, then, in powdered sugar until nicely coated.

Place cookies on prepared baking sheets. Place in the oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes. The cookies should be slightly soft to the touch; they will harden as they cool.