Presents Perfect: 10 Beautiful Cakes That Actually Taste As Good As They Look

Because Christmas dinner is not complete without a showstopping dessert, we're making it easy for you this year with these gorgeous cakes that have all the decadent flavors you've been yearning for all year long, from richly dense chocolate to liqueured berries to creamy cheese. No need to scramble in a hot and busy kitchen. All you have to do is order... then serve.

My Tita's Special Treat by Chef Jessie's Pastry Shop

This cake holds a special place in Chef Jessie Sincioco’s heart. It’s her winning entry to the 1983 Great Maya Cookfest in the baking category, which jumpstarted her now illustrious career as a chef and restaurateur. Perfected by Chef Jessie and her aunt, this special cake boasts three layers of mango sponge, filled with mango cream cheese, and frosted with mango icing.

6-inch whole cake P2,000, 8-inch whole cake P3,000 

1997 Pililia Street corner Obrero and Tanay Streets, Brgy. Valenzuela, Makati City, (02) 8254-0229 local 872, Facebook: Chef Jessie’s Place.

Crème Brulée Cake with Quezo de Bola by Talisay The Garden Cafe

While Chef Tatung Sarthou is best known for his savory Filipino dishes, he also bakes cakes, pastries, and breads. At Talisay, his newest restaurant, you’ll find this delightful cake that combines the best of both worlds, creamy and salty, made with a light vanilla sponge bathed in custard frosting, with a bruléed top, and sides dressed with grated quezo de bola.

9-inch whole cake P1,650

Order a day ahead, for pick up only

44 Maginhawa Street, UP Village, Quezon City, (0919) 877-6321, (02) 8293-9007, Instagram: @talisayqc

Mixed Chocoberry Cake by Cakes by Miriam

This spectacular cake takes Cakes by Miriam’s very popular Merry Berry Cake to new chocolate-intensive heights. It starts with layers of moist chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling, chocolate ganache frosting and drip, and a generous pile of grapes and strawberries dipped in white and semi-sweet chocolate. 

8-inch round cake, P3,300, add P200 for additional berries

12-inch round cake, P6,600, add P400 for additional berries

Viber (0917) 873-7378, Facebook Messenger @cakesbymiriamph, Instagram: @cakes_by_miriam

Bibingka Cheesecake by Cakes by Gel Salonga-Datu

Based in Laguna, Gel Salonga-Datu brilliantly infuses local flavors into classic desserts, like this cheesecake made with kesong puti, cream cheese, coconut cream, and topped with salted egg. The result is a sweet-salty mélange that seems to taste just as much like a bibingka as it tastes like a cheesecake.

8-inch whole cake, P1,300

Order at least 2 to 3 days ahead, delivery via LalaMove

(0917) 188-3361, Instagram @baker_gel_salonga

Choco Glazed Orange Liqueur Almond Bundt Cake by Chef P's

If you’re not into fruitcake but still enjoy its liqueur-intense richness, then this special cake concocted by pastry chef Pauline Lagdameo may just be the one for you. This orange almond bundt cake comes studded with chocolate chips, soaked in Grand Marnier syrup, and drizzled with a rich chocolate glaze.

7-inch bundt cake, P850 

(0917) 843-4578, Facebook: Chef P’s

Orange EVOO Cake by Tilde Kitchen & Bakery 

Tilde’s owner, accomplished baker Ginny de Guzman, brings Mediterranean flavor to this extra moist cake. It’s enriched with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter, and given refreshingly citrusy notes with whole fresh oranges, plus a topping of chopped pistachios.

P1,000

5417 Matilde Street, Poblacion, Makati City, (02) 8771-2764, (0966) 946-7137, Instagram: @tildecafe

Snow Cake by Classic Confections or Nono's

Only available for the holiday season, this all-white cake is an old-school classic of white sponge cake filled with coconut rum custard, freshly whipped cream frosting, and a coating of lightly toasted coconut flakes.

P695

Available at all Nono’s branches in UP Town Center, The Podium, Three Central Makati, Festival Mall Alabang, Glorietta 2, Ayala Mall Manila Bay, Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Facebook and Instagram: @nonos.ph

Barako Sans Rival by Taza Platito Desserts

For those who love both coffee and sans rival, Taza Platito combines the two in this not-too-sweet sans rival, composed of nutty meringue layers wrapped in pistachio-crusted French coffee buttercream, and topped with a dusting of barako coffee powder.

P1,300

Order 5 days ahead

Viber or text (0999) 998-8901, Instagram: @Taza Platito Desserts

Ube Cheesecake by Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

This award-winning cheesecake is baked using housemade ube jam for a distinctive, Filipino flair. Just like a classic cheesecake, it’s rich and creamy but with a nuanced sweetness that has made it the hotel’s all-time favorite dessert.

P1,284

For pick up only

Flavors Restaurant, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City, (02) 7909-0888 local 7429, Facebook: Holiday Inn & Suites Makati 

Black Forest Cake by Flour Pot Rum Cakes Manila

Cake lovers may remember this cherry-flavored chocolate cake from a few decades back when it was all the rage. For nostalgia’s sake, Flour Pot is bringing it back in its most classic form, with soft chocolate sponge cake doused in Kirsch syrup, layered with fresh whipped cream and three kinds of cherries (homemade black cherry compote, maraschino cherries, and red cherries), and finished with more whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 

P1,850

Order at least 2 days ahead, for pick up at The Fatted Calf Farmhouse Kitchen Tagaytay or by delivery to Metro Manila

(0917) 789-2352, email hello.flourpot@gmail.com, Facebook: Flour Pot Rum Cakes Manila 

Curated by Nana Ozaeta 

Creative Direction by Butchie Peña

Photography by Patrick Mateo

Styling by Angelique Abesamis-Castro

Sittings Editor: Troy Barrios

Assisted by Cecille Esperanza