Traditionally, brazo de mercedes is a Filipino meringue roll with a custard filling and dusted with powdered sugar. Nowadays, however, they have evolved into different forms and are available in different flavors. No matter what form or flavor, though, I always have a hard time saying ‘no’ to this delectable treat. Here are 7 stores that sell ultra delicious brazo de mercedes that you simply have to try.
These 7 Stores Sell Brazo de Mercedes that is Oh-Zo-Good
7. Carlito’s Catering (@carlitoscateringph)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCnCvqpnQwI/?igshid=c8lyaj2emrz1
Carlito’s Catering was established in 2003 by a self-taught cook who created original dishes for the people that she loved. People eventually started ordering food trays and the business soon started getting big corporate accounts, catering to events and parties, and gaining a lot of patrons in the Filipino-Chinese community. With the changes that came with COVID-19, they decided to streamline all cake and food under Carlito’s Catering, where they have built a loyal following of celebrities, politicians, and clients.
Carlito’s Catering offers products out of the love for gathering family and friends over yummy food. Since its creation in 2016, they can proudly say that they are home to the Philippines’ only purveyor of the layered original be brazo. “We wanted to innovate the classic by turning it into a cake reminiscent of the highly popular crepe cakes,” they explain. For deliveries, they will need a day’s lead time.
6. The Fat Milk (@the_fatmilkph)
http://www.facebook.com/TheFatMilkPH
Photo from The Fat Milk
The Fat Milk started in June when the owner made her own roll at home. After she decided to share it with a friend, people started asking whether she sells the rolls. The day after that, she had orders come in, and they kept on coming in everyday until she finally decided to open her small store. “We aim to bring back and highlight all-time favorite classic delicacies freshly baked at a very affordable price for every family to enjoy,” they share.
The Fat Milk’s rolls are delivered freshly baked and are best placed in the fridge first. They are best served chilled and can last up to five days in the fridge. Although home-baked brazo de mercedes is their specialty, The Fat Milk also serves pastries like brownies and cookies that are best paired with milk or contain milk.
5. Brazo Cups Mnl (@brazocupsmnl_byruth)
http://www.facebook.com/Brazocupsmnl
Photo from Brazocupsmnl_byruth
Ruth Rambano admits that Brazo Cups Mnl wasn’t actually part of her plans this year. Due to the pandemic, however, she was given the chance to work from home, where she had time to watch cooking and baking videos online. Ruth eventually came across a YouTube tutorial on how to make rolled brazo de mercedes; and when she had trouble finding a cake for Father’s Day, she decided to make her own. One day, after getting frustrated at work and resigning. she recalled the brazo she had made for her dad and decided to turn it into a brand and business.
Ruth decided to make brazo cups in particular because she hadn’t seen a lot of brazo cupcakes in the market. “Turning it into cupcakes also makes it easier to indulge in moderation and gives it a new look that’s more appealing to the masses,” she adds. And this is so true. These brazo cups are just the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth and your brazo cravings, and they are super convenient to eat. Plus, they are delicious!!!
4. Anastasius (@anastasiusph)
http://www.facebook.com/AnastasiusPH
Photo from Anastasius
Marian de la Merced started Anastasius 10 years ago. When the pandemic started, her daughters Tanya and Treexee started helping her out and learning from her. Before the pandemic, Marian was the only one baking; but now her daughters love baking, too.
All of Anastasius’ products are baked with love and passion, and only use high quality ingredients. The Classic Frozen Brazo de Mercedes of Anastasius has been around for a decade now, but they have since come up with two new flavors: Strawberry and Avocado. They also have a Brazo Cheesecake now! “We wanted to try different flavors to add something new for people to taste,” they explain. And I am glad that they did because I would never have discovered the deliciousness of flavored brazo had I not tasted their goodies during quarantine.
3. Bellefleur by Beatrix (@bellefleurbybeatrix)
http://www.facebook.com/BellefleurByBeatrix
Photo from Bellefleur by Beatrix
The original inspiration for Bellefleur by Beatrix is simple: Bea loves to eat. Although Bea goes out to try yummy things that she sees online or on TV, she also tends to find herself researching recipes, buying ingredients, and tweaking things to see which combinations work best. Some of her experiments eventually get added to the menu of Bellefleur by Beatrix, like the Mango and Strawberry Tres Leches Cakes. Their bestseller, the Frozen Ube Brazo, is available daily for walk-ins and for deliveries.
One thing that really made Bellefleur by Beatrix stand out to me was the fact that they delivered their cake in a convenient and useful cooler bag. It should also be noted that their brazo is popular locally and internationally, even having made it as far as Japan and Australia prior to the pandemic. They have become quite popular among Pinoy groups abroad, thanks to the fact that their brazo isn’t overly sweet. Apparently, this is intentional. “We do not use more sugar than we ever have to as desserts are meant to be enjoyed,” Bea explains.
2. Homebaked by Sacha (@homebaked_by_sacha)
http://www.facebook.com/Homebaked.by.Sacha
Photo from Homebaked by Sacha
Chanel Vijayakumar is the baker and owner behind Homebaked by Sacha. When she and her husband realized that they were at their heaviest, they decided to change their lifestyle right then and there by baking their own healthy treats to satiate their sweet cravings. What started as personal treats eventually became their friends’ treats, too, and their little home baking project evolved to what it is today. All of their products pay homage to their childhood and people that have touched Chanel’s heart.
Their Brazo Cups were made for her Nanay since they were her favorite, and they are delicious! You won’t even realize that these delectable treats are guilt-free because they taste so good! Homebaked by Sacha aims to produce guilt-free treats without compromising on taste and quality, and without burning a hole in your wallet. “We want to spread awareness that being healthy means being able to enjoy what you want to eat,” Chanel adds.
1. Maria Makes (@mariamakes.ph)
Photo from Maria Makes
Maria Makes is composed of a mother-daughter tandem who aren’t professional cooks or bakers, but have been spending their time in quarantine productively instead of stressing over the whole COVID-19 situation 24/7. Samantha Tan shares that she actually started her business venture as a reseller, selling ready-to-cook products from various suppliers until she realized she wasn’t happy selling other people’s products. “I realized it would be so much more fulfilling to sell products that I create myself, and so I decided to start my own brand,” she explains.
Maria Makes sells homemade frozen brazo de mercedes in different flavors. They use their family’s frozen brazo recipe that has been around for more than a decade, and constantly add interesting twists and new flavors to keep things unique and exciting. What started with just Strawberry and Vanilla has since evolved into flavors like Cookies n Cream (for those with a sweet tooth) and Ube (for the ube lovers out there). Their Avocado variant is my family’s favorite, though. We kept going back for extra slices after eating the first one until we devoured the entire thing!
Maria Makes is also very particular when it comes to delivery because their food is frozen. To ensure that customers get the best condition of their items, they offer ice packing and dry ice. To enjoy their frozen brazo to the fullest, make sure to keep it frozen at all times. “We try our best to innovate and experiment with the different elements of our brazo, from our ice cream down to the crust,” Samantha adds.” We are not afraid of deviating from the traditional, which I think makes our brazo interesting. We enjoy thinking up new flavors and trying new things, and that makes the business fun.”
What’s your favorite brazo flavor?
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