Folcon Cakery | The Return of the OG.

Foodwise, if there's one thing I've been really looking forward to this summer, it's the reopening of Folcon Cakery. You see, Folcon (formerly known as Folcon Baker and Coffee Shop) is a household name here in San Pablo City when it comes to cakes and coffee. It's one of the OG coffeeshops here in my hometown, and one of our favorite places to dine and hang out back when the husband and I were still dating. 

Even after getting married, we remained loyal customers of Folcon. In fact, during the first trimester of my pregnancy, I would often crave for Folcon's Chicken Cordon Bleu and Pasta Alfredo. My husband would buy them for me of course, because he had to satisfy his pregnant wife's food cravings no matter what, haha.

Fast forward to April 2023, Folcon finally reopened their physical store after almost three years of limited operations (i.e. taking orders online, doing meet-ups and deliveries) because of the pandemic. The best part? Their new location is just a few blocks away from our place!

Folcon Cakery - the return of the OG.

 

The new Folcon Cakery now has a kissaten (Japanese coffee shop) concept, a far cry from the old coffee shop's industrial look with brick walls and eclectic interiors. This new look is fresh, trendy, and very appealing, especially to the Gen Z crowd (aka my son's age group). Truth be told, I'm totally smitten by the new look because the store's facade reminds me a lot of Deux Copains, one of my favorite neighborhood bakeries in Hongdae. 

Look who's now hanging out at Folcon with me. :)

Similarly, Folcon Cakery's revamped menu is quite interesting because it's a fusion of old and new. Most of the food items are Folcon classics like the cakes and pasta. Their Baked Zitti, one of Folcon's all-time bestsellers, tastes exactly the way I remembered it from more than a decade ago. It's as meaty, cheesy, and delectable as it was, and that's because they still have the same cook. How awesome is that?

Baked Zitti, Php 230.

Salted Karameru (Hot), Php 119.

Even their cakes and pastries are just as yummy, because they're baked by the same patissier. 

Choco Caramel Tin Can Cakes, Php 199 (mini) and Php 399 (regular). 

Walnut Brownies, Php 20 per piece.

More cake options - Mocha Ganache and Double Chocolate.

The beverages, on the other hand, have quirky Japanese names like Salted Karameru (Salted Caramel) and Pichimangu Soda (Peach Mango Soda), to name a few. If you're a fan of anime or Jdrama, you'd have no trouble interpreting these Japanese names. If anything, you'd give yourself a pat on the back because you understand what they mean and what ingredients they're using. 

The Folcon Cakery menu.

While I enjoyed the Folcon classics, Yue preferred the new items on the menu. He's especially fond of the Kukki Dough (Cookie Dough) with its decadent chocolate base and generous cookie bits, and the Chicken Sando (Chicken Katsu Sandwich) - crunchy chicken fillet wedged between flavorful coleslaw and fluffy slices of bread. He recommended these to his friends, and they loved them as well.

Chicken Sando, Php 149.

Kukki Dough, Php 149.

Folcon Cakery's food options might be a little limited for now, but that's okay since they're still on their soft opening. They're planning to add more items in time for their grand opening this month. As a matter of fact, they've started serving Fettucine Carbonara and Ebi Sando (Shrimp Katsu Sandwich) just recently. Hopefully, they'll bring back my all-time favorite Chicken Cordon Bleu and add more coffee flavors as well.

Fettucine Carbonara.

The new location is also a bit small compared to the old coffee shop, but the last time I dropped by (which was yesterday), they're adding a few more touches to the store's facade and interiors and working on seats for al fresco dining. I can't wait to see the final look on my next coffee run!

Early dinner at Folcon Cakery.

Folcon Cakery at night.

Folcon Cakery

Osmena St. cor Laurel St., 

City Subdivision,

San Pablo City
0917 132 9272

Coffee meets caramel in Goldilocks’ newest premium greeting cake.

Having a slice of cake with your favorite flavors combined is like heaven on earth. Why settle with one flavor when you can treat yourself with the sweet combination of two – Coffee + Caramel -- as Goldilocks presents its newest premium greeting cake!

Perfect for celebrating birthdays or gifting to those who simply love coffee and caramel, the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake offers a luscious fusion of flavors and great value for money. Make it an occasion to remember where everyone gets a filling and satisfying slice of this hefty 9”Rd cake that can serve 12 people for only P649.

Any celebration, big or small, becomes even more enjoyable with the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake. This latest mocha cake creation is set to wow not only the taste buds, for it can wake all your other senses too...wait ‘til you smell its irresistible scent of coffee and caramel.

When it’s time to dig in, share with them the memorable moment of slicing through the rich and thick coating that encases levels of fluffy mocha-flavored layers. In between are delightful creams and filling, while fun and flavorful mocha buttercream icing rounds out the premium greeting cake design.

Remember that choosing the best premium greeting cake does not have to be a choice between one flavor or another. You can always get the best of both worlds from the new Goldilocks Coffee Caramel Cake, which is sure to satisfy plenty of your loved ones at an affordable price!

To #CelebrateWithGoldilocks and its new Coffee Caramel Cake, visit a Goldilocks store near you or order online through www.goldilocksdelivery.ph. Follow Goldilocks PH on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. 

Cooking with my Air Fryer | Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

My son turned 12 yesterday, and for this year's birthday, I took it upon myself to cook everything on my own for his (simple) birthday dinner. No take-outs, no food deliveries, no 'paluto' from other restaurants, including the birthday cake. Yes, even the birthday cake! I think this has got to be one of the highlights of my airfryer experiments - baking a cake from scratch. I feel so accomplished, haha!

I baked the cake on the eve of his birthday (November 11th), while Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vanco) was starting to cause havoc in the country. It was raining heavily that night, with roaring winds and all, and I was awfully worried that the power might go out any minute. Thankfully, I was able to finish the cake without a hitch, despite the power fluctuations here and there.

I was dead tired after baking this cake, and my arms were stiff from all that grating (tip: use a box grater to make your life easier), but I wasn't able to sleep soundly that night because of the strong typhoon. I was afraid that the roof might start leaking, or worse, be blown off by the strong winds. Good thing none of those happened, and we were able to celebrate Yue's birthday at home with a simple dinner of tuna pasta, roast chicken, and this carrot cake. Sharing with you the cake recipe inspired by InspiredTaste, and my own version of the buttercream frosting. :) 

Carrot Cake with Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil 

1 cup granulated sugar 

1 cup brown sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

4 large eggs 

3 cups grated peeled carrots 

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 

For Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/4 cup softened butter

3/4 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup Nestle All-Purpose Cream (chilled)

2 cups powdered sugar

Procedure:

1. Preheat the airfryer to 190° Celsius. Grease two round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the top of the parchment paper. (I used an 8" springform pan and cooked two batches since I only have one pan.)

2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well-blended.

3. In another bowl, whisk the oils, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until combined.

4. Using a spatula, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth.

5. Fold in the carrots and walnuts.

Carrots and walnuts!

6. Pour the batter into the cake pans.

7. Set the airfryer to Bake mode and bake at 170° Celsius for 35-40 minutes or until the top of the cake is springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted to the center of the cake comes out clean.

8. Cool the cake in the pan for 10-15 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. Peel off the parchment paper and cool off completely before frosting.

Buttercream frosting, before chilling. 

9. To make the frosting, whisk the butter, cream cheese, and Nestle All-Purpose Cream. Add the powdered sugar in four batches, whisking the mixture until thick and smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

10. To assemble, spread frosting on one part of the cake and place the other part to sandwich the frosting. Spread frosting on all sides of the cake. Top with extra chopped walnuts. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. (I refrigerated mine overnight.)

My first-ever carrot cake! Neighbors loved it! :)

P.S. Many thanks to everyone who greeted Yue on his birthday! He truly appreciated all the greetings and well-wishes! :)

Seoul Searching | Haru & One Day.

A few days before my flight to South Korea, my childhood friend Kay sent me a message on Facebook asking if we could meet-up in Seoul on the 16th (of December). She was flying from Chicago to Manila for the holidays, and will have a 12-hour layover in Seoul. I was so happy at the thought of catching-up with my first-ever best friend whom I have not seen in years; there was no chance in hell that I would miss this opportunity to spend time with her even for just a few hours.

I offered to fetch her at Myeongdong, but she wanted to explore other parts of Seoul and insisted on visiting the neighborhood where we live. As such, I suggested to meet-up at Haru & One Day, which I have been wanting to visit since it began operation last Autumn. Owned by Lee Donghae of Super Junior, the cafe is located near exit 4 of Seongsu Station, so I figured Kay wouldn't have a hard time finding it.

Haru & One Day!

True enough, she did not have any difficulty locating the cafe and even came earlier than I did -considering that my place was just a few bus stops away. Good thing the cafe opens as early as 7am!

Christmas feels inside Haru & One Day.

I spotted Kay as soon as I entered the cafe. Save for the eyeglasses, my friend looked pretty much the same since the last time we saw each other - and that was like, more than a decade ago! This girl doesn't seem to age! :)

The counter. They even have blankets, which you can use to keep yourselves warm.

Kay already finished a cup of coffee when I got there, and she seemed to have enjoyed the latte that she had. Made me all the more excited to try Haru & One Day's coffee, and cake, too! We headed to the counter, where they have a variety of cakes on display.

Haru's selection of cakes and desserts.

The menu.

They also have a decent selection of drinks - from coffee, milk, and tea, to smoothies and beer, even. 

I settled for good ol' Caramel Macchiato and a serving of Tiramisu. Kay initially had a hard time choosing which tea to order so the barista offered some suggestions and even let her take a whiff of the tea leaves displayed near the cashier. She ended up choosing the Pure Green Tea, together with a slice of Milky Roll.

Tea selection.

After paying for our order, we were given this thingamajig also known as the 'wireless queue calling system'.It didn't take long for our number to be called. There were only a few customers during that time, as the cafe has just began operation for the day.

Because in Korea, everything is digital. ;)

Here's what we had.

Breakfast, haha! :)

Tiramisu.

Milky Roll.

We loved how both cakes are moist and creamy, without being overly sweet.

Haru & Friday!

I like that their coffee is not scalding hot, and that their cups are wrapped in quirky sleeves with the day of the week written on it. We came on a Friday, hence the 'Haru & Friday'.

Cozy and Christmas-y. :)

The cafe's ambiance is noteworthy, too. With its minimalist design, spacious interior, neutral colors, and lots of sunlight coming through the windows, Haru & One Day is an all too perfect venue for meeting up with friends, enjoying some quiet time with a good book, or even telecommuting. The cafe offers free wi-fi, and customers are free to use their electrical sockets in case your phone or laptop runs out of battery.

Reunited! 

Fans of Donghae and Super Junior can also purchase Haru & One Day merchandise such as mugs, tumblers, canvas bags, and shirts. These items are displayed on the rack across the counter, with prices ranging from 16000 won to 60000 won.

Haru & One Day merchandise.

Kay and I spent about an hour or so at the cafe, catching up on a decade's worth of stories and life events. If not for Kay's craving for Korean street food, (we ended up going to Myeongdong afterwards) we would've stayed at Haru & One Day for one whole day!

Succulents.

I actually visited the cafe again on the eve of our flight back to the Philippines. I took the boys with me, and even my husband enjoyed their coffee. We even chanced upon Donghae's mom and his brother, Dong Hwa, but I was too shy to take photos with them as they were meeting with the staff and preparing to close for the day.

Capping off our trip to Seoul with another visit to Haru & One Day.

Haru & One Day
92, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Foodie Goodie | Nutella Cake in a Jar.

Oh, the many things you can do with Nutella! You can spread it on wheat bread, make brownies with it, use it as frosting, use it as a doughnut filling... heck, you can even lick it straight from the spoon! The possibilities are endless!

Today, let me share with you this super simple recipe that requires only two ingredients and takes about a minute and a half in the microwave. Yes, it's quite simple to make and tastes great even via microwave! :)

Nutella Cake in a Jar

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix, prepared according to package directions

1 teaspoon Vanilla, Butter, & Nut Flavoring (optional)

Lots of Nutella

3 pint-sized canning jars

Procedure:

1. Thoroughly wash and dry the inside of each canning jar. Spray the inside of each jar thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Stir the Vanilla Butter and Nut Flavoring into the cake mix. Spoon about 1 cup of cake batter into each jar.

3. Cook one jar at a time in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through.

4. Allow jars to cool slightly, then scoop the top half of cake from the jar.

5. Spoon a tablespoon or so of Nutella into the center of the jar, replace the top half of the cake back in the jar then top the warm cake with another layer of Nutella.

6. Serve immediately or cover with a lid and store in the fridge. Cakes should stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

As seen on Babble.

Wordless Wednesday #112 | Happy Birthday to Me!

I turned 33 last Sunday, and yes, I have no qualms about revealing my age. :)
Despite the bad weather brought about by Typhoon Hagupit, I was able to celebrate my birthday at home, with my family.

With my little man and my princess niece. :)

Big thanks to my fambam, my friends, my colleagues, and Chael Sonnen (he sent me a birthday greeting via Twitter, how freaking awesome is that) for making my day super special. :)

Make a wish! :)

Oh, and here's a close-up shot of my birthday cake. My sister got my KPop groups mixed up, and baked me an EXO cake! Haha, the irony! But who cares about the design, as long as it tastes great, right?

My EXO birthday cake courtesy of Bake it Away.

Wordless Wednesday #101 | Barbie Birthday Bash!

Bienn, Yue's friend and classmate, turned seven last week. Her parents threw a birthday party for her over the weekend, to which the little man and their other friends and classmates were invited.

It was a Barbie-themed birthday party and the girls were asked to dress up as Barbie, complete with (blonde) wigs and all. The boys, on the other hand, dressed up as Ken.

On Yue: Short-sleeved Stripe Polo Shirt from Wrangler Kids,
Khaki Cut-offs from Wrangler Kids,
Navy Chukka Mid-boot from Next Kids,
Fedora hat from The SM Store.

Move over, Justin Timberlake!

Little Kens.

Little Barbies.

The kids had a special number during the party, a mini fashion show where they walked down the 'runway', and a dance number afterwards.

Walking down the runway...

And strutting his stuff. :)

Bienn as Mariposa Barbie.

The kids had so much fun, and us parents had a wonderful time, too. :)

Sweet treats for everyone!

Happy Birthday, Bienn!