Easy Yema Balls Recipe

From SoYummySoEasy.com

What Are Yema Balls and Why Every Filipino Has a Childhood Memory of Them

Yema is one of the most iconic and deeply nostalgic sweets in Filipino food culture — a soft, golden custard candy made from egg yolks, condensed milk, and sugar, shaped into small balls and rolled in white sugar until they glisten. The name yema comes from the Spanish word for "egg yolk," and the sweet has fascinating historical roots. During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, egg whites were mixed with lime and crushed shells as construction mortar for stone walls, leaving vast quantities of egg yolks unused. Filipino cooks repurposed those discarded yolks into various sweets and dishes, and yema is believed to be one of them — possibly inspired by the Spanish pastry Yemas de Santa Teresa. The original version was made with only egg yolks and sugar, cooked and stirred until thick, then shaped into balls or pyramids. Condensed milk was later incorporated into the recipe, most likely during the American colonial period, giving it the rich, creamy texture Filipinos know today. Yema balls are a beloved merienda treat, a popular pasalubong (homecoming gift), a staple at school fairs and Christmas celebrations, and even a potential small business product. With just four simple ingredients and 40 minutes of total time, this is one of the most beginner-friendly Filipino sweets you can make at home.

Tips:

• Use a non-stick pan to prevent the mixture from sticking and burning at the bottom.
• Keep the heat low throughout — the mixture scorches easily on high heat.
• Stir constantly using a metal spatula, scraping the bottom of the pan with every stroke.
• The mixture is ready to shape when it pulls away from the pan and forms a ball — do not rush this stage.
• Let the mixture cool before shaping to avoid burning your hands.
• Roll each ball in white sugar immediately after shaping while still slightly warm so the sugar adheres well.
• Use a toothpick to pick up each finished ball — it makes handling and presenting them much easier.
• For gifting or selling, wrap individual balls in colored cellophane and twist both ends to seal.

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Recipe

Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Calories: ~890 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (414 ml)
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• ½ kg white sugar (for coating)

Optional: colored cellophane wrappers and toothpicks for serving and gifting

Instructions

1. Mix the base — In a non-stick frying pan or pot, combine the condensed milk, egg yolks, and vanilla essence. Stir until well blended before turning on the heat.
2. Cook on low heat — Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then immediately reduce to low heat to prevent burning.
3. Stir continuously — Using a metal spatula, stir the mixture constantly, scraping the bottom of the pan with every stroke to prevent sticking and scorching.
4. Cook until ready — Continue stirring on low heat until the mixture thickens significantly and pulls away from the sides and bottom of the pan, forming a single ball. This is the sign that it is ready.
5. Cool the mixture — Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool down until it is comfortable to handle.
6. Shape into balls — Scoop small portions of the cooled mixture and roll between your palms into smooth balls about 2 to 3 cm in diameter.
7. Coat in sugar — Place each ball onto a wide plate filled with white sugar. Roll to coat all sides evenly.
8. Serve — Pierce each sugar-coated ball with a toothpick for easy handling and presentation. Set aside to cool completely.
9. Optional — Wrap individual yema balls in colored cellophane and twist both ends to seal, for gifting or selling as pasalubong.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Serving Size	~251g
Calories	890
Total Fat	15.4g
Saturated Fat	7.9g
Cholesterol	310mg
Sodium	141mg
Potassium	400mg
Total Carbohydrate	179.7g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Total Sugars	176.5g
Protein	11.9g

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Four ingredients, one pan, and a little patience at the stove — Yema Balls are proof that the simplest Filipino recipes are often the most unforgettable!