Simple yet satisfyingly delicious. That’s how I describe the desserts of local bakeshop Barbie Bakes.
Launched by Barbie Ramos, a Sales Manager in one of the leading developers in the country, Barbie Bakes was just one of her passion projects brought to life to cope with the sudden change in her everyday routine and all the free time she suddenly.
“I have always been a foodie, I watched all the shows on the Food Network and I love desserts that I even gave up eating rice since I was 18 years old to compensate for my need of having one serving of anything sweet per day,” Barbie shared with When In Manila. “I love eating out and discovering new restaurants. I also enjoy visiting other countries for their food culture.”
Because food delivery options were limited where she lived, she tried her hand at baking her own goodies to satisfy her cravings. But it was when she shared her creations with friends that she was convinced to turn it into a profitable business.
“When the ECQ eased into the GCQ, I started going to our dance studio, Chrome Divas, where I have been attending pole classes regularly since 2015. I would always bring some of my baked treats to share. The owner, our teacher, told me that she brought home the cookie I gave her and her kids were complaining why there wasn’t enough. So she said that if I will be baking again, she will order for her family,” she recounted. “Prior to that, my family and my boyfriend have been suggesting for me to start selling since they said that the quality of my baked goods was at par to what they order from big and famous cafés.”
From only selling cookies and brownies, she has now expanded her menu to a wide variety of desserts including cupcakes, banana loaves, and brownie cups.
Here are my favorites and what I personally recommend for you to try:
- Red Velvet Cupcakes — Listen, you can never go wrong with Red Velvet cupcakes. They’re moist, buttery, and chocolatey with a perfect hint of vanilla, and they simply just melt in your mouth with every bite.
- Choco Chips & Cream Cheese Banana Loaf — I’m honestly a sucker for anything with oozing cream cheese in it and its richness and tanginess just matches the bright flavor of the banana bread. All that plus the hints of decadence from the chocolate chips? This is one sinful treat that I didn’t regret indulging in every day.
- Salted Caramel Brownie Cups — I cannot concisely describe how much I loved this. It was rich, gooey, fudgy, and simply irresistible. You’ll just have to take my word for it!
- White Choco Cran Cookies — A great holiday treat! Personally, I enjoy any cookie that features cranberries because they’re just so sweet and tart, and Barbie Bakes’ version is simply divine.
Baking days are every Friday and Saturday, and all orders are dispatched from Barbie’s home in Bacoor every Sunday to anywhere around Metro Manila and Cavite. Those residing beyond the Metro can book their preferred courier service and shouldn’t worry about the quality of the desserts getting ruined. According to Barbie, she had an order delivered to Batangas that took four days in transit, and yet her customer said that their orders were still in very good condition upon receipt!
“Our brand is unique because even though it is homemade, we make sure that it is well baked using the finest and highest quality ingredients. That’s the best feedback that we always get, [that] they say it is sulit. We may not be the cheapest because we don’t skimp and compromise on the quality, but we aim to be one of the best,” she said.
Check out their official social media sites below to get updated on new additions to their growing menu, such as a soon-to-be-launched 7-Day Fruit Cake.
Barbie Bakes
Facebook.com/Barbiebakes.cookiescupcakes
Instagram.com/barbie.bakes.cookies.cupcakes
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