in praise of Baby Cakes of Davao

what I brought from Davao, part 2

We were running late as we did not have a map and Marfori Heights, the address of our dining destination, is not the easiest place to locate. While we only got lost for 30 minutes - not really an eternity- we were hungry and restaurants in Davao City are not exactly known to stay open late. I already did my research and the double treat of Lachi’s and Baby Cakes in Ruby Street just sounded too good to miss and we were determined to get there. We did make it and the treats were what we expected and more.

Let me start with Baby Cakes. As it was already a little past 8PM, the bakeshop was already was closed. The iron curtain was already half drawn but we could see that inside, the waiting staff were still doing the accounting for the night. Luckily my friend was able to convince them to open just for us. A few more sales never would hurt right?

And what treats!


Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/320s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 320, -1/3EV
This apple walnut minicake is tops. The fruit and nut bits are fresh and the cake is plump, moist and delectable.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/320s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 320, -1/3EV
This blueberry bar showcases the tartness and succulence of blueberry sprinked over a crunchy rich biscuit base.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200
As chocolate revel bars go, this is on the overly sweet side and I’m not a big fan of some chewy oats (?) in my pastries. However, the large chunks of encrusted chocolate pack a delightful brittle punch.



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/250s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 250
The generous topping of fried peanuts adds a unique mouth feel and the carrot cake is temptingly soft, almost fudgy even. I can take seconds anytime.


Too bad that we missed out on the cupcakes for they probably might have been sold out by the time we got to the shop. I’ve read a lot about the famous glaze frostings but then, hopefully, there can always be other opportunities to visit the city of Davao, and discover more of Baby Cakes.


Baby Cakes
Door 7 Values School, Marfori Village, Davao City
cel +639209056402
(run by Maite and Kaye Gempesaw)

Thanks to my flickr friend Joliz for recommending Baby Cakes

what I brought back from Davao, part 1

It is a given. Whenever we, Filipinos, go to a new place far from home, we are obliged to bring something back to friends and relatives. Last week, I visited Davao with family in tow. Of course I brought back the requisite pasalubong.


By reputation, Lola Abon is the brand to most people in the know and this is what we got for both the mangosteen and the durian candies pictured here


There were big ticket items which we lugged, like fruits and pies and I would have to blog later. For basic giveaways though, locally made sweet delicacies never would be out of fashion. Of course when in Davao, the first candies that come to mind would be anything durian. Billed as the “king of fruits” notorious for its odor (sewer-like, they say), the durian somehow loses the telltale noisome smell upon caramelization. So at the one-stop complex of Aldevinco in Davao City, we got durian candy bars, yema and squares. We also threw in mangosteen candies for good measure.


the special mangosteen candies come in dark red violet colors, sweet in smell and taste


Let’s just say, we have lots of happy friends.


We also tried the smaller durian cubes (Minco brand)



Custard candy is called yema in the Philippines and the durian yema of Minco is a heavenly confection