With the number of new coronavirus disease cases continuing to rise (even breaking records in single-day increase), our plan is to continue staying at home for as long as we can.

One of the things that has made life in lockdown a little easier to deal with? Good food. It’s a much-needed salve during difficult times, offering comfort as we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic. And the beautiful thing is, ordering these treats is also a way to help families and businesses bounce back during this most trying time.

Ube Cheese Pandesal by Mornings MNL

It was because of Mornings MNL’s version that we finally understood why people have gone crazy over ube cheese pan de sal. It’s the best one we’ve tried so far. Their take has that perfect pan de sal texture, giving way to the delicious ube halaya and cheese filling. They’re a great way to start the morning (but we’ll have them any time of the day.) The pretty purple packaging makes them a good gift idea, too, at P350 a dozen. Mornings MNL also offers cold brew.

Follow @morningsmnl on Instagram

Apple Pie by Lulu’s Pies

Paul John Zamora, a flight attendant whose job has been affected by the pandemic, has been baking apple pies since May. It’s not just to earn money; it’s his way of continuing his mother’s legacy.

Marilou Pamaran Zamora, who created the recipe 20 years ago, succumbed to breast cancer in November. “Her apple pie recipe is our greatest inheritance,” Paul John said.

Lulu’s Pies’ beautiful apple pie costs just P250. There’s a sugar-free version for P350.

Try the chicken pie, too, for P350. “It has a special cheese sauce in the center,” said Paul John.Tel. 0921-5444848; follow

@lulusapplepie on Instagram; visit LulusPie on Facebook

Cupcakes by Cabincakes.ph

Flight attendant/pilot trainee Kevin Glenn opened this online cupcake shop using his mom Veronica Velasquez’s recipe. Velasquez learned to bake so she could make school snacks for her six kids. Now, you can enjoy her sweet treats, too. They offer moist chocolate cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, brownies with walnuts and chocolate crinkles. They will also be selling custom cakes soon.

Tel. 0917-7114264; www.cabincakes.ph

Cookies by Goy by Nucum

Chef Eddrick Nucum’s online cookie bar sells warm and freshly baked white chocolate sprinkle cookies filled with caramelized white chocolate, triple chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, chocolate chip walnut cookies, tres leches cake and campfire cake.

Follow @goybynucum on Facebook and Instagram

Pizza-making kit by Pizza Express

You can now make your own Pizza Express pizza at home. It’s great fun for both kids and adults. One P895 kit includes enough ingredients—classic crusts, mozzarella, tomato passata, your choice of toppings (pepperoni, bacon, pork and fennel sausage and more), dried oregano, pepper and olive oil—to make two yummy pizzas. Pizza Express’ Pizza Making Kits will be available throughout the month of July.

Tel. 0917-7101567, 0917-6312287; visit bit.ly/PE-PizzaKit; follow @pizzaexpressph on Facebook and Instagram

Make your own Chili Crab Buns at home with Your Local At Home

DIY Chili Crab Buns by Your Local

Missing Your Local’s delicious buns? You can now have them at home. Choose between two Your Local at Home variants: Beef Rendang Buns or Chili Crab Buns (or go for both). Each kit (P870) includes four buns and all the fix-ins you’ll need.

Tel. 0917-6543355, 0917-7077459; visit bit.ly/YL-Kit; follow @yourlocalph on Facebook and Instagram.