birthday cake – Jellybeans in the City

Oreo Blizzard Cake from Dairy Queen

When I was a kid, getting an ice cream cake for your birthday was like spotting a unicorn: it just made everything extra special.

Back in the 80s, getting an ice cream cake was already a grand production in itself. Someone had to go get the ice cream cake in the one – one! – store in the whole of the metro where ice cream cakes are available, and bring it to where your party was. To prevent the cake from melting during transit from the ice cream store to your shindig, it is placed in a container lined with dry ice (which we would place in a tub of water to get that smoke effect during the party).

Today, ice cream cake is available in Dairy Queen outlets as Blizzard Cakes – with various flavors available too! – and can be delivered to your home hassle-free.

For my son’s last birthday, his grandma sent him a Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard Cake. This lovely ice cream cake is made of layers of cream vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a crunch and fudge center and topped with fresh Oreo pieces.

Since Oreos and ice cream are among my son’s favorite food, it’s not surprising that he enjoyed his birthday cake immensely.

Since this confection is made almost entirely out of ice cream, this type of cake is best consumed immediately or kept in the freezer.

Want your own Blizzard Cake for your holiday celebrations? You can order online or via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Check out my reviews of other dessert shops in the metro:

Treat yourself to some sweet happiness from Casa Bakes by Kayla

Let’s admit it: we can all use a bit of happiness right now. If the past few months has taught us anything, it’s to grasp at every bit of simple happiness we can to help us keep our sanity during these crazy times.

Well, how about the kind of happiness that comes in this box?

Twenty-eight-year-old bank employee Kayla Torres used to be too busy to do much at home prior to the lockdown. When the community quarantine was put in place all over the metro, she found her days a bit gloomy. To cheer herself up, she took up her old hobby of baking cookies.

“Baking and eating cookies brighten up my day,” she shares.

After trying out cookies from other internet shops (chewy ones are her fave), she decided to make her own version. When she started posting about her creations on social media, they drew the attention of friends and family who want to buy those sweet delights.

And so began Casa Bakes.

Kayla’s new passion project currently offers the giant chewy cookies she so loves – the kind that’s monster-sized and packed with all sorts of good stuff that will fill your mouth with sweetness and your heart with joy. These are:

Chocolate Chip (Php215/box of 3 | Php400/box of 6 | Php575/box of 9). There’s a reason this cookie variant is always top of mind among many cookie lovers. From its sweet buttery smell, the burst of rich chocolate sweetness from the chocolate chips to the feel of the moist and gooey center that contrasts with the slight crisp at the the bottom and sides, this cookie deserves its place among the classic faves.

Reese‘s Chocolate Chip (Php230/box of 3 | Php415/box of 6 | Php590/box of 9). How can you possibly improve on a classic? Apparently, with a generous helping of Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips! The good ole’ chocolatey goodness of the chocolate chip cookie gets an upgrade with the decadent peanut butter flavor mixed in.

Birthday Cake (Php230/box of 3 | Php415/box of 6 | Php590/box of 9). A whole party packed into a cookie so you can celebrate your birthday any day you want. What can be more festive than white chocolate chips and a dash of sprinkles? Get ready to put on your party hats with this cookie.

Can’t make up your mind on which of these cookies to sate your sweet cravings on? Order a Surprise Surprise (Php225/box of 3 | Php410/box of 6 | Php580/box of 9) and get a taste of each yummy variant!

So how can you get your hands on these monster-sized bits of bliss? Simply send a message to Casa Bakes on Instagram to reserve your slot for the next batch. Online payments via Union Bank and BPI are accepted.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Have a box of good cheer with MDJ Cookies

It’s been three-and-a-half months since our seemingly well-ordered life has been upended by the community quarantine and I won’t be surprised if we don’t find ourselves a little out of sorts with the world every once in a while.

You know what comforts me when the doldrums come?

A little bit (or a lot!) of something sweet – like a cookie! – can get me right back into a cheerier mood. It’s not just about the rush of sugar in bloodstream. It’s more about the comfort and warmth that emanates from a piece of well-made cookie.

This morning, just as I was about to take a well-deserved break from working with multiple gadgets open and heated discussions scrolling up my screens, a box bearing my name (well, IG handle actually) arrived from MDJ Cookies.

Talk about a welcome sight!

MDJ Cookies (from owner Martine De Jesus’ name) is a tribute to her mom’s baking prowess. Using her mom’s recipes, Martine gets to spread little packets of good cheer through her cookies. As she puts it: her cookies feel like a warm hug you can eat!

As soon as I opened the box, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafted to my nostrils and made me think of my own Sunday baking sessions with my mom when I was a little girl. Oh, such happy memories!

And guess what: the box’s cookie contents are no less cheery. Check them out!

Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip (Php30/pc | Php190/6pcs | Php370/12pcs). The good ‘ole chocolate chip cookie gets an upgrade with use of brown butter and a bit of salt.

Birthday Cake (Php35/pc | Php220/6pcs | Php430/12pcs). There’s something so festive about this cookie… Is it the colorful sprinkles? Or the sweet smell of toasted marshmallows? Whatever it is, it’s good for any day worth celebrating.

White Chocolate Macadamia (Php40/pc | Php250/6pcs | Php490/12pcs). A creamy and milky cookie wonderfully complemented by buttery macadamia nut pieces.

Dark Chocolate Macadamia (Php40/pc | Php250/6pcs | Php490/12pcs). This time, the luscious macadamia nuts come with semi-sweet dark chocolate.

Double Chocolate Fudge (Php40/pc | Php250/6pcs | Php490/12pcs). Double the treat for chocolate lovers!

Red Velvet (Php40/pc | Php250/6pcs | Php490/12pcs). The cookie version of the rich deep-red colored chocolate cake with cream cheese icing.

Peanut Butter Bomb (Php40/pc | Php250/6pcs | Php490/12pcs). Any kid knows that peanut butter and cookies are a winning combination. Add in a piece of peanut butter candy for some real decadent sweetness.

Loaded Crinkles (Php50/pc | Php310/6pcs | Php610/12pcs). A fudgy chocolatey treat for the certified sweet-tooth.

While my faves among these yummy treats are the Peanut Butter Bomb and the White Chocolate Macadamia, all variants feature a moist buttery texture and just the right amount of sweetness to highlight the featured ingredients.

To get your hands on these sweet delights, send MDJ Cookies a message via Instagram or Facebook with your name, address, contact number, delivery date, flavors (with quantity of order) and mode of payment (GCash and BPI are accepted).

Plus, personalize the box with the recipient’s name for just an additional Php20.

Sure, the situation in the metro, and in our own daily lives in The New Normal may seem stressful and daunting; but with a little bit of good cheer, I’m sure we’ll pull through.

Are you a cookie lover, too? Give yourself a box of good cheer and give these a try!

Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Krispy Kreme rounds up the treats for its birthday month

Did you know that Krispy Kreme is celebrating its 82nd birthday this July?

It opened its first branch in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 13, 1937 after founder Vernon Rudolph acquired a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe from a New Orleans chef and brought about Krispy Kreme’s signature Original Glazed doughnuts.

This month, however, as a special treat to its customers, Krispy Kreme recently launched its limited edition Mini Birthday Cake Doughnuts.

Made of three yummy and festive new flavors – bubblegum, strawberry and white chocolate – all drizzled with melted dark chocolate, studded with rainbow sprinkles and dusted with edible gold dust. It even comes with its own limited-edition happy box so the celebrant can unbox this special treat and get a happy surprise.

Gift someone special with this Mini Birthday Cake for only Php149. Hurry, though! It’s available at Krispy Kreme stores only until July 31.

Still can’t get enough of Krispy Kreme’s sweet treats? How about mix-and-matching these babies up with our favorite candy? Check out Krispy Kreme’s DUOghnuts!

Get yourself a dark chocolate-glazed doughnut topped with Reese’s Peanut Butter Butter Cups and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds or a strawberry-dipped one topped with M&Ms and Skittles. Because you’re never too old or too full to enjoy your childhood treats.