Save Creamy, vibrant ice cream bars featuring sweet ube and nutty pistachio, layered for a delightful contrast in flavor and color. Perfect for a refreshing summer dessert or an impressive treat for gatherings.
When I made these ice cream bars for family, the striking purple and green layers always amazed everyone. It was fun to watch how quickly they disappeared at our summer BBQs.
Ingredients
- Ube Layer: 1 cup cooked ube (purple yam), mashed, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat), 1/2 teaspoon ube extract, Pinch of salt
- Pistachio Layer: 3/4 cup shelled pistachios, unsalted, 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup honey or sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, Pinch of salt
- Garnish (Optional): 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios, 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ube Layer:
- Combine mashed ube, sugar, coconut milk, ube extract, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). Let cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Pistachio Layer:
- Blend pistachios, whole milk, heavy cream, honey (or sugar), vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. Heat gently over medium-low heat in a saucepan, stirring often, for 5 minutes (do not boil). Let cool.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Pour the cooled ube mixture evenly into ice cream bar molds, filling each mold halfway. Freeze for 1 hour. Add pistachio mixture over the set ube layer, filling molds to the top. Insert sticks and freeze for at least 5 hours, or until completely solid.
- Serve:
- Unmold bars. Optionally, drizzle with sweetened condensed milk and sprinkle with chopped pistachios before serving.
Save One of my favorite kitchen moments happened when my niece helped drizzle the sweetened condensed milk on the bars. She took the job very seriously and made each one look beautiful.
Required Tools
Ice cream bar/popsicle molds, blender, saucepan, mixing spoons, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains nuts (pistachios) and dairy (milk, cream). Contains coconut. Check ingredient labels for hidden allergens if serving those with food sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 235, Total Fat: 11 g, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Protein: 4 g (per serving)
Save Serve straight from the freezer for the best texture and vibrant flavors. These bars are guaranteed to delight your guests with every creamy bite.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve vibrant layers?
Ensure each component cools before layering. Ube extract boosts color intensity for the purple layer.
- → Can I make these vegan?
Substitute dairy with coconut milk or plant-based cream alternatives in the pistachio layer.
- → What is ube and where can I find it?
Ube is a purple yam, popular in Filipino desserts. Look for it fresh, frozen, or as extract in Asian groceries.
- → Can I use other nuts for the pistachio layer?
Yes, try almonds or cashews for a similar texture, but flavor will differ from classic pistachio.
- → How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the molds?
Allow bars to freeze completely and briefly run molds under warm water for easy release.
- → How long will the bars last in the freezer?
Stored airtight, bars maintain optimal flavor and texture for up to two weeks.