When commercial bakery products just won’t cut it, it’s always a good idea to turn to bakers that have quietly been mastering their crafts at home. The hard work that is put into running a small-scale business and all the heart poured into every product are what makes home-bakers extra special. Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite home bakers in Manila who have been baking up a storm from their own kitchens. Show them some love and support local businesses!
1. Chino Cruz of Baker on East (IG: @bakeroneast)
Chino Cruz, a former editor at Yummy magazine, has always been known to whip up distinctly flavorful desserts. Whichever creative dessert you choose to munch on from Baker on East’s product list, you can be guaranteed a good time. Banana shortbread, date and malt tea cakes, earl grey chocolate slices, and tahini swirl brownies are some of the stuff that you can’t miss out on.
For orders, contact 0917-7933472/0917-5397640 or visit @bakeroneast on Instagram
2. Joey Dy of Doughmestic Botanicakes (IG: @doughmesticph)
Perfectly executed buttercream flowers? Check. Soft and tender cake layers? Check. Customizable designs and colors? Check.
It goes without saying that Joey Dy makes some of the most beautiful cakes in the Metro. Certified by the Republic of Korea Flowercake Association, you can expect cakes and cupcakes of the highest quality from Joey’s home-based bakery.
For orders, contact 0928-8053188 or email doughmesticph@gmail.com
3. Kris Alcantara of Cipriano (IG: @ciprianosansrival)
Folks, if you haven’t tried Cipriano’s famed sans rival yet, you have to order it ASAP. Kris Alcantara took it upon herself to perfect her lolo’s 50-year-old sans rival recipe a few years ago, and now she’s sharing it with the world. The cake itself is painstakingly decorated with a fork—just how Kris’ lolo used to decorate it back in the day. With meringue layers that are slightly chewy and with generous servings of chopped cashew in between each layer of smooth butter, you’ll have trouble stopping at one slice.
For orders, contact ciprianosansrival@gmail.com
4. Ces Lopez of Pasteleria Manila (IG: @pasteleria_manila)
Ces Lopez has been running a home-based bakery since 2009—and every now and then, she adds more products that are spin-offs on local Filipino favorites like brazo de Mercedes, broas, and mamon.
Try her orange-flavored mamon, ube broas sticks, and mango brazo bars, and bring them to your next potluck party or gift them to your loved ones.
For orders, contact 0921-3730040 or email order@pasteleriamanila.com
5. Carmela Villegas-Agosta of Casa San Luis (IG: @casasanluispastries)
French-trained baker Carmela Villegas-Agosta breathes new life into the Philippine pastry scene on a regular basis. Have you seen her gorgeous hand-painted floral layer cakes yet, or tried her polvoron cookie dough truffles?
She was also part of the team to launch Glam Pop designer sprinkles in Manila—you can check out their products here. With a menu that goes beyond classic flavors with modern designs, pastries from Carmela’s kitchen truly are standouts.
For orders, contact 09166448522 or email casasanluispastries@gmail.com
6. Elaine Herbosa of Enseimaditas
Elaine Herbosa has been baking mini ensaymadas from her home in Alabang for 50 years. It’s a time-tested family recipe, where the dough is kneaded by hand for 1 hour and left to rise for 6 hours to make a soft, tender, and buttery brioche. Each bite-sized piece is stuffed with cheese, then finished off with a sprinkle with granulated sugar and grated queso de bola. Talk about the perfect pair for hot chocolate!
For orders, contact 0917-8901219.
7. Colette dela Cruz and Likha Babay of Hiraya Bakery (IG: @hirayabakery)
Both Colette and Likha of Hiraya Bakery have a mission to promote Philippine ingredients, flavors, and pastries. Their product list is constantly changing because these bakers adjust to the seasons—if lipote, sampinit, or pili is in season, expect to see these ingredients in their cheesecakes, brownies, and pound cakes.
Their home-based bakery is located in Laguna, but Colette and Likha travel to Manila on a regular basis for deliveries and pop-ups in events and bazaars. The next time you see their booth, be sure to pick up a cake or two.
For orders, contact 09171491975 or email hirayabakery@gmail.com
8. Jen Dacudao of Happy Pill (IG: @happypilldesserts)
Happy Pill’s custom cookie cakes will make any dessert lover jump up and down with glee—look at that mountain of sweets on top of those chewy cookies! You can choose from a long list of cookie flavors as your base: classic chocolate chip, s’mores, dark chocolate Reese’s, hot cocoa, triple chocolate, and white chocolate macadamia. Chief Baker Jen Dacudao will even decorate them herself.
For orders, email happypill2013@gmail.com
