To me, the most popular cake in the entire country is Estrelle’s caramel cake. This cake transcends time.
Started in around 1947, it is a permanent fixture in many Filipino home parties—birthdays, holiday celebrations, anniversaries etc. And I can also see how it has been passed on from generation to generation. Parents make their kids taste it because they love it just like their parents before them when they were kids. That cycle never ends. It still looks the same since it started in the mid ’40s. It is light, fluffy, and just simply delicious.
CAKE SUPREMACY Estrelle's may be the OG, but the author has also discovered other worthy cakes to obsess with
Every bite brings back memories to many. Now Estrelle’s has other winners. I love their sansrival, lengua de gato topped with toasted shaved almonds, and food for the gods.
Many cakes have popped up since Estrelle’s. Cookie Monster was one that popped up in the 70s. Also very good. That has been revived since by one of the Marquez’ nieces, Tiny Guidotti (+63 920 909 8459). Other go-to cakes I bring to pot lucks are Ginny De Guzman’ truffle cake and Camille’s crème brulee cake.
I have a lot of cakes to try. If I finish all of them, I’d be rolling around the metropolis. So I taste and pass it on downstairs. Our “kasambahay” Che is no longer as thin as she used to be. I believe she loves it too. I keep the good ones in my fridge on our floor. I hate it when my kids ignore what I suggest they try. But when a friend tells them to try the same dishes, whether sweet or savory, they tell me excitedly to top the ones I’ve been trying to convince them to have. Kainis.
In the last two weeks, I discovered two outstanding cakes. They don’t have to be sophisticated or even simple. What I look for is a taste that’ll make me think of my loved ones as soon as I take my first bite. You’ll know immediately when it’s good.
I got a message on Instagram asking if I wanted to taste their cake. Of course! But it took many weeks before it was finally sent. It was a Mango Sansrival cake. This is a tall elegant yellowish cake coated with chopped nuts with a white frosting topped with slices of sweet mango. Inside are layers of sansrival and light chiffon cake.
I love the play of textures of crunch and soft fluffiness, light, not to sweet, and simply delicious. I immediately remembered my kids. It was that good. This one will be included on my list for potluck get togethers.
Another cake that blew my mind is Big Al’s chocolate cake. I was conducting a Kangen water demo at home and a friend Agnes brought Big Al’s. OMG! I wanted to hug her. It was so simple but it hit the right spot in my heart. It was moist, deep, dark chocolatey, and not too sweet, just a good old-fashioned, straight to the point chocolate cake. Wow! Winner! This is now my go-to chocolate cake. Big test? My kids love it!
From the traditional institutional cake of Estrelles, I’m happy many other cakes are making a mark in the market. I love it!