mdj cookies – Jellybeans in the City

The Jelly List: Chocolate dessert picks for World Chocolate Day

Did you know that World Chocolate Day falls on July 7?

On this day, you can expect chocolate lovers from all over the world to celebrate what they deem to be the end-all and be-all of foodstuffs: the chocolate.

Chocolate is prepared from the fruit of the tropical tree Theobroma cacao (the name translates to “food of the Gods). This tree is native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, thriving in hot and humid areas. As chocolate’s global popularity grew, so did its cultivation, with cacao plantations in regions such as West Africa, South and Southeast Asia.

While chocolate is so versatile that it can even be used as an ingredient in savory dishes, my love for it stems from its sweet applications.

So, fellow foodies, allow me to share a sampling of my favorite chocolate dessert incarnations from various establishments in the metro.

Teddy Keng’s Chocolate Gateau from Chef Jessie’s Place

Chef Jessie’s version of the decadent chocolate cake, this confection is made of alternating layers of light chocolate cake and rich chocolate cream filling all covered with a rich, shiny ganache and decorated with an unfurling flower fashioned from chocolate. Definitely a choco-holic’s delight!

Chef Jessie’s Place is located at 1997 Pililla corner Obrero and Tanay Streets, Valenzuela, Makati City, open daily from 9am to 4pm for pick up and delivery. To order, text or call +63 917 8967880, +63 917 8330797 or +63 977 0976649 or email chefjessiesplace@chefjessie.com.

Read more about Chef Jessie’s Place here.

White Chocolate Creme Brulee from Bistro Manuel

This rich and creamy custard also features the subtle flavor tones of white chocolate, topped with a torched sugar sculpture and a tangy berry tartlet.

Bistro Manuel Bistro Manuel is located at Second Floor, Six Axis Center, 4347 B. Valdez Street, Poblacion, Makati City, now open for dine in as well as takeout. To book your table, fill out this questionnaire.

More on Bistro Manuel here.

Salted Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie from MDJ Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are a go-to comfort food. Now imagine those goodies getting an upgrade with the use of silky brown butter sauce and a bit of sea salt and you’ve got one of MDJ Cookies’ best-selling creations.

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

More about MDJ Cookies here.

Chocolate Truffle Liquor Cake from Inang Charing

A decadent 5-inch diameter confection of layers upon layers of chocolate goodness from a moist chocolate cake base flavored with chocolate liquor covered by a thick and creamy chocolate ganache and topped with a generous sprinkling with cocoa powder.

Course your orders for this chocolatey delight via Facebook or Instagram with a three-day lead time and pay via Gcash or BPI bank deposit a day before the delivery.

Read more about Inang Charing Cakes and Pastries here.

S’mores from Bistro Charlemagne

Truth be told: I’m not into marshmallows but Bistro Charlemagne made a believer out of me with its S’mores. Rich Ghirardelli chocolate ganache is topped with a thick layer of roasted marshmallows and served with graham crackers. This has become a fam fave!

Bistro Charlemagne’s branches in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Feliz and Ayala Malls Solenad are open for takeout and delivery via GrabFood, LalaFood and FoodPanda.

Read more about Bistro Charlemagne here.

Hot Chocolate from Cafe Mary Grace

During gloomy rainy days, a cup of hot chocolate sure perks me right up. Cafe Mary Grace’s Hot Chocolate is rich and milky, good enough on its own but spectacular as a dessert when paired with some of the store’s baked goods.

Selected Cafe Mary Grace stores are open for dine-in, takeout or delivery via GrabFood.

Read more about Cafe Mary Grace here.

Choco Salted Caramel Cake from Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries

This dessert is a chocolate cake layered with salted caramel and covered with a luscious chocolate frosting. Perfect when partnered with a cup of your favorite coffee.

To pre-order, send a message via Facebook or Instagram, or call +63 920 4900391

Read more about Coffee Time Cakes and Pastries here.

Champorado Cheesecake from 121 Restaurant

The quintessential Pinoy breakfast cereal is now in cheesecake form. Now, instead of enjoying piping hot, you get to savor it decadent and frozen on a crust of graham crackers. Yum!

Course your order for this fresh take on an old favorite for delivery here.

Read more about 121 Restaurant here.

So chocolate lovers, feel free to indulge yourself and give in to your chocolate cravings with these top picks on World Chocolate Day!

Thanks for reading this Jelly List! How about some perks?

Use this link to download the FoodPanda app and get Php100 off your first order.

Download the LalaFood app and register using my code BEINGJMR53 and get a free delivery coupon.

Happy eating, choco-holics!

Check out my other adventures compiled into Jelly Lists:

Header image by congerdesign on pixabay

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.

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