Once again, here’s Inquirer Lifestyle’s most-awaited list of best desserts.
The decadent list consists of fruity cakes with heavenly frosting, strong coffee-flavored chiffon and velvety soft, fluffy pastry treat.
These are just some of the sweet confections that will be featured and included in the upcoming “Best Desserts 3” book to be launched soon.
VIOLET VELVET CAKE
COME-ON: Look beyond the rich creamy frosting and be amazed by how this three-layer ube sponge with a hint of chocolate is sandwiched between layers of blueberry and cream cheese. This seductive dessert sports real ube flavor that’s not overpowering; it is also easy on the palate.
CREATOR: Karla Denise Ilacad, Gypsy Girl Cakes, Pastries and Desserts
CHOICES: Available in two sizes: 7-inch and 9-in cakes. Ilacad can also customize bigger cakes with the same flavor. For pickup and delivery. Call two days in advance.
CONTACT: 09178930208, 09399138428; info@gypsygirldesserts.com; www.gypsygirldesserts.com; Facebook Gypsy Girl Desserts; Instagram GypsyGirl_chef
ADDRESS: No. 10 1st Street, St. Ignatius Village, Quezon City
DAYAP CAKE
COME-ON: Fluffy and moist. Light and refreshing. You can’t ask for more. Adding homemade dayap curd in the center and blending dayap rinds in the sponge offer a rounder, less-sweet note. It’s beautifully dressed in whipped cream frosting.
CREATOR: Symphony of Desserts (Marge San Diego)
CHOICES: Available in 8-in round cake. Order two days in advance. For pickup mainly. For delivery in selected areas.
CONTACT: (044) 7950170 and 09273253994; e-mail symphonyofdesserts@yahoo.com
ADDRESS: 315 Banga 1st Plaridel, Bulacan. Pickup point: Garden Heights Condominium, E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City
PISTACHIO CAKE
COME-ON: This dessert is not only a sweet way to finish your meal, but it ensures that your guests will leave the table with a smile of satisfaction. It’s dense, moist and smothered with pistachio glaze and liberally sprinkled with pistachio nuts.
CREATOR: Ann Puno’s Kitchen (Ann Puno)
CHOICES: Available in medium and large Bundt sizes. Order a day in advance. For pickup only. All cakes and food items come with ribbons and gift cards ready to give out.
CONTACT: 8076431, 8072757 and 09088739636; Facebook Ann Puno’s Kitchen
ADDRESS: Meet-ups only in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and in Makati City
STRAWBERRY OVERLOAD
COME-ON: This piece of art is all about three things—luscious looks, big flavors, and satisfied taste buds! It’s a premium strawberry sponge cake carrying at least a kilo of fresh strawberries—not to mention the macerated sweet strawberries dwelling inside the two-layer cake.
CREATOR: Chef Gene Gonzalez of Café Ysabel
CHOICES: For pickup only. Order two days in advance.
CONTACT: 7269326 and 7255089; www.cafeysabel.com
ADDRESS: 455 P. Guevarra St., San Juan, Metro Manila
PREMIUM ENSAYMADA
COME-ON: The wholesomeness and goodness of these premium ensaymadas nestle in their soft, fluffy dough, which is a perfect canvas for whimsical toppings and fillings both sweet and savory. The flavors are broad and inviting—Nutella, tablea, peanut butter and quezo de bola, to name some.
CREATOR: Pearl M. de Guzman, Baby Pat Ensaymada
CHOICES: Premium specialty ensaymadas—Classic Queso de Bola, Ube Queso de Bola, Speculoos, Nutella, Latik, Tablea, Salted Egg, Peanut Butter Chocnut; Savory selections—Majestic Chinese Ham, Sweet Ham, Vigan Longanisa, Spam, Bacon Cream Cheese and Herb and Adobo. Order three days in advance. For pickup only.
CONTACT: 7751231, 09177901127; Facebook and Instagram mybabypat
ADDRESS: Pickup point—Knightsbridge Residences near Century Mall; 124 Stockton corner Palo Alto, Laguna BelAir, Santa Rosa, Laguna
CARROT CREAM DREAM
COME-ON: Here’s a spot-on example of how carrot cakes should really taste and look—super moist, chewy and drenched in crushed pineapples that cut through the spices and thick cream cheese frosting. It’s heaven in your mouth.
CREATOR: Gina Lopez, Paisley Pastry
CHOICES: Available in 6-in round cake. For pickup only.
CONTACT: 09175555828, 09209280528; foodhabuddha50@gmail.com; pasta2pasta2002@yahoo.com
ADDRESS: Meet-ups across SM Southmall, Las Piñas City
QUESO DE BOLA SANS RIVAL
COME-ON: If there’s one treat that can meet all the requirements of a perfect dessert, it has to be this picturesque three-layer sans rival prepped in almond dacquoise, laced with silky yema butter cream and grated quezo de bola.
CREATOR: Gourmandise by Sunshine ( Sunshine Pengson)
CHOICES: Available in 8-in round cake. For pickup only.
CONTACT: 09178832432; gourmandisebysunshine@gmail.com; Instagram gourmandisebysunshine
ADDRESS: Meet-ups only in Makati City and Alabang, Muntinlupa City
AVOCADO CHEESECAKE
COME-ON: The name tells all about the flavor of this refreshing, no-bake cheesecake. The avocado imparts a rich, buttery flavor and custardy texture that foodies just can’t get enough of. The creamy, fruity taste is distinct but not overpowering.
CREATOR: Gel Salonga, Ted’s Kitchen
CHOICES: Available in 8-in round cake. Order three days in advance. For pickup only.
CONTACT: 09158669974 and 09175440820
ADDRESS: Ted’s Kitchen, Santa Cruz, Laguna; Commissary Kitchen, Doña Soledad Ave., Bicutan, Parañaque City.
MOCHA CRUNCH
COME-ON: The honeycomb toffee crunch, served either on top of the cake or on the side, provides a welcome mouthfeel from the confection’s creamy and luxe texture. Although it’s light chiffon and covered with mocha butter cream, it boasts an intense coffee flavor.
CREATOR: Dimpy’s Kitchen (Dimpy Camara)
CHOICES: Available in 9 x 5 round cake. For pickup only. Call two days in advance.
CONTACT: 8439021, 8438086, 09156346799 and 09219845493; www.dimpyskitchen.com
ADDRESS: 1243 Acacia Road, Dasmariñas Village, Makati
CHOCO CHIP BANANA LOAF
COME-ON: A classic example of turning an old favorite into a downright extraordinary dessert. Moist and dense sour-cream-based banana cake packed with almost a kilo of ripened bananas and enriched with chocolate chips. For a more delish finish, it’s topped with brûléed banana slivers.
CREATOR: Cy Ynares of The Bald Baker
CHOICES: One size only. Order three days in advance. For pickup only.
CONTACT: 09175116370; www.thebaldbakerph.com
ADDRESS: Bellagio 3, Forbestown Road and Burgos Circle, BGC, Taguig City