Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter or oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. These dry ingredients will provide structure to the cake while ensuring it rises properly during baking.
Whisk the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, ube halaya, oil, milk, ube extract, and vanilla extract. The ube halaya adds a rich, deep purple color and flavor to the batter, while the oil ensures the cake stays moist and tender.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth and well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense. The batter should be thick and creamy, with the vibrant purple hue of the ube.
Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula for even baking. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the whipped cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creamy frosting will complement the moist ube cake perfectly.
Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer of the cake on a serving platter. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top of the first layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake evenly. For a decorative touch, you can smooth the frosting or create a textured finish with a spatula.
Chill and Serve: Chill the cake for about 1 hour to allow the frosting to set. After chilling, the cake will be ready to serve! Slice into the moist, fluffy layers and enjoy the perfect combination of sweet, creamy, and delicious ube flavor.
