Ube Pistachio Ice Cream Bars

Featured in: Sweet Bakes

These bars feature a smooth purple yam layer paired with a nutty pistachio layer for vibrant flavor and color contrast. Using coconut milk and rich cream, each bite offers a creamy, refreshing experience with subtle sweetness and fragrant vanilla. Freeze the bars in layers for stunning presentation and add condensed milk and chopped pistachios on top for extra richness. Perfect for summer celebrations, these treats combine Filipino-inspired flavors with a luscious finish, making them a standout dessert for any crowd.

Updated on Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:46:00 GMT
Creamy ube and pistachio ice cream bars layered for a colorful summer treat.  Save to Pinterest
Creamy ube and pistachio ice cream bars layered for a colorful summer treat. | velvetthyme.com

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.

I first tried making these ice cream bars for a weekend gathering, and their vibrant layers made them an instant hit. The sweet ube contrasts beautifully with the nutty pistachio, creating a treat everyone talks about.

Ingredients

  • Ube Layer: 1 cup cooked ube (purple yam), mashed
  • Ube Layer: 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Ube Layer: 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat)
  • Ube Layer: 1/2 teaspoon ube extract
  • Ube Layer: Pinch of salt
  • Pistachio Layer: 3/4 cup shelled pistachios, unsalted
  • Pistachio Layer: 1 cup whole milk
  • Pistachio Layer: 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Pistachio Layer: 1/3 cup honey or sugar
  • Pistachio Layer: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pistachio Layer: Pinch of salt
  • Garnish (Optional): 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • Garnish (Optional): 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (for drizzling)

Instructions

Prepare the Ube Layer:
In a saucepan, combine mashed ube, sugar, coconut milk, ube extract, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Prepare the Pistachio Layer:
In a blender, combine pistachios, whole milk, heavy cream, honey (or sugar), vanilla extract, and salt. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat and let cool.
Assemble the Bars:
Pour the cooled ube mixture evenly into ice cream bar molds, filling each mold halfway. Freeze for 1 hour until set enough to hold the next layer. Pour the pistachio mixture over the set ube layer, filling molds to the top. Insert sticks. 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.
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| velvetthyme.com

When my family tasted these for the first time, my kids loved the fun colors and everyone asked for seconds. They have become a special summer treat in our home.

Required Tools

Ice cream bar molds, blender, saucepan, mixing spoons, measuring cups and spoons are all essential to achieve the creamy texture and neat layers.

Allergen Information

Pistachios, milk, cream, and coconut are present in this recipe. Always check labels for hidden allergens if preparing for sensitive diets.

Nutritional Information

Each bar contains approximately 235 calories, 11 g total fat, 29 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.

Vibrant purple ube and green pistachio ice cream bars, drizzled with condensed milk.  Save to Pinterest
Vibrant purple ube and green pistachio ice cream bars, drizzled with condensed milk. | velvetthyme.com

Enjoy these bars chilled for the best flavor and texture. They make a wonderful, eye-catching finish for parties or outdoor gatherings.

Recipe FAQs

What gives these bars their vibrant color?

Ube, a purple yam, provides the vivid hue alongside ube extract for extra brightness and flavor.

Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes, substitute whole milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut or almond milk for a dairy-free option.

How should I store the bars?

Keep them in the freezer in an airtight container; they'll stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Are the bars gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients used are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.

Which tools are needed for preparation?

You'll need ice cream bar molds, a blender, a saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, and mixing utensils.

Can I use other nuts instead of pistachios?

Cashews or almonds may be substituted for pistachios but will alter the flavor and color profile.

Ube Pistachio Ice Cream Bars

Creamy bars blend sweet ube and pistachio for a colorful, refreshing treat ideal for gatherings.

Prep time
30 min
Time for cooking
10 min
Total process time
40 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Sweet Bakes

Skill level Medium

Cuisine type Filipino-Inspired Fusion

Yield amount 8 Number of servings

Dietary details Vegetarian-friendly, Free from gluten

List of ingredients

Ube Layer

01 1 cup cooked ube (purple yam), mashed
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
04 1/2 teaspoon ube extract
05 Pinch of salt

Pistachio Layer

01 3/4 cup unsalted shelled pistachios
02 1 cup whole milk
03 1/2 cup heavy cream
04 1/3 cup honey or granulated sugar
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 Pinch of salt

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
02 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk

How to make it

Step 01

Cook Ube Layer: Combine mashed ube, granulated sugar, coconut milk, ube extract, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and lightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Step 02

Prepare Pistachio Base: Blend unsalted pistachios, whole milk, heavy cream, honey or granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until mixture is smooth. Transfer to a saucepan and gently heat over medium-low, stirring often, for 5 minutes without boiling. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 03

Layer and Freeze: Pour cooled ube mixture evenly into ice cream bar molds, filling halfway. Freeze for 1 hour until set. Pour pistachio mixture on top to fill molds, insert sticks, and freeze at least 5 hours or until solid.

Step 04

Finish and Serve: Release bars from the molds. Optionally, drizzle with sweetened condensed milk and sprinkle chopped pistachios before serving.

Essential tools

  • Ice cream bar or popsicle molds
  • Blender
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing spoons
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains pistachio nuts and dairy (milk, cream); includes coconut. Review ingredient labels if serving those with allergies.

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 235
  • Fat content: 11 g
  • Carbohydrate: 29 g
  • Protein amount: 4 g