Ben's Cookies Singapore - Baking with CHUNKS not Chips

ABBEY: At last we got to buy half a dozen of Ben's Cookies. Not that it is too expensive but the shop is always out of our way. We visited their branch at Wisma Atria.

The look of the cookie is like a novice chef baked it; mix the ingredient until the dough is formed then put some chocolate chunks. Press it down and put to oven. But the taste is delicious and rich. The cookie is soft and the chocolate chunks complemented it well. 

Recommended to partner with coffee or tea or just it on its own.

A 5-cookie pack plus 2 costs 14.75SGD.

WILL: Husband knew that I am a real-life cookie monster. Well, after about 6 months of delaying gratification I have decided to pushed (yah.. pushed, haha.. because it is not our normal to go to Orchard area) Abbey that I want him to buy me some of Ben's Cookie.

Every bite is a piece of heaven for me. Not that sweet but chewy and soft. This make it to my love to eat list..obviously. I like all the flavours, but white chocolate chunk standout. 

Try it. It will definitely solve your sugar cravings. 

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Ben's Cookies Singapore

435 Orchard Road, Wisma Atria, #B1-50

T: 6235 5340

https://www.benscookies.com/

Pie Face Singapore @ 313@Somerset - Café · Bakery

ABBEY: I didn't got the chance to bite into their pie, the first time we went here. I just had coffee as we came just after dinner. Good thing that I'm not...

My experience just got better. Second time, I ordered their Pie-fect meal; a drink with The Stack combo (Spicy chicken pie) for 7SGD. The Stack is compose of the pie at the bottom, then mash potato, then peas, then gravy. It was so delicious. The mash and peas were smooth and really went well with the gravy. I keep on catching for breath as the pie filling is spicy :)

WILL: After a remittance made at iRemit at Lucky Plaza, we walked our way to 313 Somerset basement 2 to indulge at Pie Face. 

Yep! I do love pies and I quite happy that Pie Face always have a promotion. Since my tummy is still under rehabilitation (haha), I ordered for a non-spicy variant... the chicken + mushroom. I love the idea of The Stack. A mashed potato and peas and splashed the pie with their gravy. The flavour is bursting inside my mouth. Total happiness! It made me full. A total meal. 

They also have take-outs! Instead of going to a fad coffeeshops this place is quite good to have some talks and catching-up with friends. You will surely enjoy the ambiance and the food and your pocket will not cry because they charge a set of meal that starts at $5. :)

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Pie Face Singapore
(A)313 Orchard Road, #B3-10 313@Somerset
23 Serangoon Central, #B2-49A NEX
(T) 9622 5662
(W)http://pieface.com.sg/

(FB) https://www.facebook.com/piefacesg/

Max's Corner Bakery ™ Delivery - Salted Caramel Tableya Cake

ABBEY: As we're longing foods from Pinas, whenever we have visitors we asked them for a little treat from home. Jhen came bringing a box of Max's Salted Caramel. Cake is not that appealing to me. If there will be other foods, I'll be eating the cake last. But when I tasted the moist but firm cake coated with sweet caramel, it is heaven. Great partner with coffee or tea as well. Thanks Jhen.

WILL: I once used the delivery service of Max's but was not for their famous kare-kare or for their crispy pata but for their cakes. I used it on Mothers' Day this year and all good comments how delicious the cake was pouring on my messenger. 

I had never tasted any cake from them. I got curious and luckily my friend Jhen asked want do I want from Manila for her to bring to Singapore. Without second thought I requested to bring me this famous Salted Caramel Cake of Max's Restaurant. And she did! 

The taste? The sweet caramel that surrounds the tableya chocolate cake inside is perfect! I do not need a tea or coffee to pair it. It can stand alone. Haha! Oh, please do not forget to sprinkle the salt on top of it. 

You can order here for your cake deliveries. :)

Star Cinnamon - Bakery - Halal Restaurant

ABBEY: We planned to bring home half a dozen of Beard Papa's cream puffs. But instead we got a box of Star Cinnamon at basement of Bugis Junction  near the MRT. 

Tip: You can buy more on their happy hour. For 10SGD, you can have 6 buns.

The smell of cinnamon will entice you and your tastebuds to look where it is coming from. You will be given a sample bite to keep you from drooling. :)

I like the one with cream cheese and the original. If you cannot finish all six on one sitting,  just reheat the cinnamon buns and match it with coffee.

WILL: It's a feast to bread lovers whenever the clock strikes for the bakeries which are bound to close for the day. Almost all of them will holler a "sale" just to finish all the breads in their displays. I caught the banner of 6 for $10. My joy exceeds when I saw cinnamon... in different flavors. 

Abbey bought a box of six. I ate and I asked my office mates to try it too. I love it. They love it. Since then, whenever I go to Bugis I never failed to buy some for me to take home. 

Thanks Star Cinnamon for a another choice of bread.

Pies & Coffee (Rochester Mall Branch)

ABBEY: If you want to relax by sound of rustling water and have snack as well, try to visit Pies and Coffees at Rochester Mall. The promo we got is for just S$24, you can have 2 pies with drinks. Usual price is around S$12 for pie only. 

I had Guinness Beef Pie. This comes with a little bit of "greens" for a side salad. The pie crust is thin, which is good because the fillings can really fill you up. :) It is delicious and full of flavour. 

The place can also be used as place of study. Reward yourself with a snack after you're done with your essay.

WILL: How about you've went to two clinics and found out that the doctors were all out for vacation? Husband and I just laughed for that misfits. Haha! Before our third hunt we decided to eat first at Pies and Coffees located at Rochester Park. 

Calming sound of waterfalls greeted us. Abbey and I decided to go for al fresco dining for us to linger with a very relaxing sound of dropping water. 

I have Chicken Mushroom and Iced English Breakfast Tea. Well, I am so thankful that the meal comes with mashed potato and salad. Their mashed potato is very outstanding. The texture is smooth and cheesy. 

On my pie, actually I do not know if i will be happy that the filling is more than I expected or sad because of a thin crust of the pie. Haha. The chicken tomato filling blends nicely to the perfect pie crust. It so big that I asked my husband to eat the remaining quarter of it. 

It is indeed a perfect place for people to gather. Perfect place and perfect food. 

Pantler

ABBEY: With still a lot to learn in where-to-eat in Singapore, locating Pantler is a challenge. The cafe is at Telok Ayer street near Amoy Food Centre. 

The shop is famous for their choux creme (creme puff). Take note, this can be only ordered for dine-in. I've seen pictures online and I was surprised that its size is small. Not the ordinary creme puff that I'm buying. But hey, the filling is incredible; not too sweet and has very good amount of creme in every puff. 

We also tried chocolate croissant. In my opinion, the sparkling water is a bit high. Anyways the taste is ok. 

WILL: Blog is a very powerful tool nowadays in advertising and marketing. Husband and I follow also food and travel bloggers around Singapore and one of those is Keropok Man. Thanks for enticing photo of cream puff.

Abbey and I decided to have a dessert date at Pantler. Just a walking distance from our office. So after our dinner we directly went for a sweet splurge. 

Photos were really one of the greatest deceivers nowadays. I'm totally shocked to see a small size of bread. Actually smaller than my palm. To stop my weeks of craving, we ordered two choux creme but they only got a last piece. Abbey gave way and he get croissant for him plus a drink. 

I sliced and happily saw that the inside was really filled by creme. Extra happiness when I munch a roasted sweet peanut inside my cream puff. Now I know why they charged $5.90 for this small piece of heaven. 

Thanks again to Keropok Man! More more power to you man! 

Spanish Doughnuts Singapore

ABBEY: Wilma told me that we will be having Spanish doughnut as snack. On my mind, it is a bread with sweet topping and has a shape that resembles a ring. When we went to Spanish Doughnuts in Orchard Central, I got surprised when I saw that Spanish doughnuts are long like wands. They are dipped in melted chocolate (white, brown, or dark). They're called churros by the way. Also they offer the kind of pipe-like ones. Six-inch churros (bombons) are filed with bavarians and dipped in chocolate topped with sprinkles. 

You can get one for a price of less than 5sgd. I liked the dark chocolate bonbon churro as well as their  triple chocolate. The original churro is also delicious as you can taste the richness of the bread once it got fried.

WILL: Spanish doughnut here in Singapore? Before their 3+1 promo ends, Abbey and I scheduled a dessert date at Orchard.

Luckily there is a seat for two. I asked for the plain churros and Abbey was enticed to get the flavored ones. The cashier will ask for what dipping you want for the plains, I selected the white chocolate. 

The first thing I felt when I get my churroz out of the paper bag is...it is too oily. This is my first time to get one of those so I thought it is just natural. Anyway, I can eat it all. 4 gigantic non-flavored fried doughnuts. Haha! 

We take-away some of it and after refrigerated for days, the same texture is still there. Still yummy with my white chocolate dip.

Please check them out at Orchard Central.

Chocz Gourmet (Handcrafted Quality Chocolate) Esplanade Mall - Chocolate Truffle Cake

ABBEY: Want to try something out of your ordinary taste pallette on cakes? Since this is the first time to have a bite on their cake, my experience is great. 

We got a 20SGD voucher from our good bank and a little more top up and we had a Chocolate Truffle cake; ganache layer with chocolate sponge. We redeemed it at their branch in Esplanade mall. 

The dark chocolate has a smooth texture :) Perfect for a dessert after a hearty meal.

WILL: I am a great fan of bread and pastries but here in Singapore cakes are not as cheap as priced in Philippines. Now on my point of view, ahmm, or should I say I instilled it in my mind that buying cakes will be a waste of money and additional calories for me and husband's body. And that's why a slice of cake creates some lesions to my conscience.  Haha!

It is my birthday month and we have points to redeem and we chose a chocolate truffle cake from Chocz. 

Chocz is located at Esplanade Mall. They have different kinds of pastries and this heart-shaped cake designed with nuts on its sides appeals to me a lot. 

I took a spoonful of it, place it in my mouth and to my delight I blurted out "Napakasarap" (very delicious). Abbey agreed. A perfect dessert for a perfect night. 

Thanks to Citibank for the voucher and thanks Chocz for a very special creation.

St. Marc Cafe Singapore - Chococro

ABBEY: This is another variation of "crodo" which started filling up the tummies in Singapore. While crodos/cronuts is circular, chococro adopted the croissant shape. 

The baked good has less butter but has the same creamy chocolate filling. The nuts on top of it makes it more crunchy and munchy on every bite. St. Marc cafe sells it 5-for-10sgd as promotion.

WILL: Hail to who ever discovered the magnificent croissant putting together with donuts. Cronuts hit the shores of Singapore big since last year and the craze until now never mellows eventhough its too pricey. 

St. Marc Cafe's Chococro make a new name on crodos industry here in state city. It is their main product. And when they open up their second store at Raffles City they offered that famous product for $10 per box of 6.

So what is the difference to their competitors? I think this is better. The chocolate inside is more creamy and it was topped with nuts which gave a distinct flavor to the others.

Go grab some of this when you are at VivoCity or Raffles. Try and for sure you will come back for more.

Singapore's Krispy Kreme

ABBEY: My wife loves Krispy Kreme. And I want to surprise her with a dozen of original glazed-doughnut. Right after my night shift, me and my colleague queue on Krispy Kreme's opening day. I read at the paper that the first 200 customers will be entitled  to a free dozen when you buy one. I'm not expecting to win that but there was a change on the rules on that morning. First hundred would be receiving 4 dozen of doughnuts for a month and next one hundred will get the one for one deal. And guess what? I'm the hundredth customer :) 

Boasting aside, I was even featured in Krispy Kreme's report on Yahoo Singapore. I'm blessed having that opportunity to share those free sweet delights to my friends and family. Dozen of original glaze is at 23.50 and 26.5 for assorted.

WILL: I am always thinking when will Krispy Kreme put up a store  here in Singapore. Always missing the taste of their original doughnuts together with my afternoon tea. Well my wishful thinking was granted last October 12.

I am surprised that one of my colleague shouted that she want also doughnuts. I am shocked to see a photo of a box of original glaze Krispy Kreme at my facebook timeline, gosh!, my husband really knew the things that will make me very happy. Abbey is very lucky that day and got the 100th spot on the queue, he won a dozen of original doughnuts every week and to be a blessing to others, he decided to share it with his colleagues, my colleagues, our friends and housemates.

We are so happy to know that now there is a branch here in Singapore, even though this is quite expensive than their Philippines branch, the taste really worth it.

Until now we are queuing and buying a dozen once we set our foot around Orchard road.

Thanks Krispy Kreme! I really love your doughnuts!  

Gloria Jean's Coffees Singapore - Chicken Curry Potato & Sardine Puff by Tip Top

ABBEY: I have tasted curry puffs from different shops but Gloria Jeans' somehow caught my tastebuds. For 1.30 a piece you can taste more curry flavor and filling. I'm actually so full during that day but with the puff's good taste, I ate all four Wilma gave me :) 

She also bought sardine puffs which are also delicious. Try it and you'll get to know what I'm saying.

WILL: Abbey is a great fan of curry puffs. Everytime I asked him what food he wants for me to carry home, he will always answer me back "curry puff baby". So I aways buy some of it either from Old Chang Kee or from Polar.

Past week Gloria Jeans Coffee here in Anson Road launched a local treat.. Chicken Potato Curry Puff and Sardines Puff. I bought the curry, buy 5 get 1 free. I ate one, our housemate took one and the remaining ate by Abbey. Gluttony it is!!!

Costs $1.30. Curry Puff is better than the other stores but Tip Top Sardines Puff  is the best! 

Baked by Da Paolo Gastronomia @ Holland Village

ABBEY: The new craze in New York hits also Singapore. People are craving for crodos ( croissant-doughnuts a.k.a cronuts). And be sure to go into the store early as the pastries are gone in a flash. I also read that other people ask their friends from the US to bring some when they visit this city state. It will definitely capture everyone's taste as the melts-in-your-mouth dough and sweetness of doughnut were combined. 

We got our share from Da Paolo Gastronomia at Holland Village.  Each crodos is almost SGD4.90. But I'm telling you, its worth it. They have cream, lemon-merengue and chocolate. I preferred chocolate especially when the filling bursts after each bite. I can see my wife's excitement when she saw boxes of crodos before her eyes. 

Celebrating Singapore National Day they created crodos with red stripe and stars. 

WILL: Crodos or Cronuts? Whatever the name is, this pastry made a big blast in New York and now hit Singapore with a big boom!
      I saw the photos in Holland Village Singapore facebook page, saved and asked Abbey if he can get some for me, not more than 3 days, wish granted!
      He told me that the cream flavoured was already out and Da Paolo Gastronomia's staff says that it only sits in their store for few hours. But anyway, I love the chocolate flavor more. The price is $4.90 quite expensive isn't it? But I promise that it's worthy of its price. 
     Abbey surprised me of the National Day special and merengue. They ate all good! Abbey never fails to know what I love to eat ;) 

Tiong Bahru Bakery Singapore - Croissant

ABBEY: Wilma loves bread and pastries and I'm fond of giving her surprises specially after my night shifts where I buy breakfast for us. As I was searching for bread in Raffles City I saw Tiong Bahru bakery. I once read an article about the establishment that it is selling the best croissant. 

As curiosity kicks in, I waited until the shop's opening at 9am. They were giving bite-size samples of the croissant with chocolate (sorry I forgot the name) and it melted in my mouth. 

I went home with 3 croissants and a chocolate one. A piece costs $3.20; a reasonable price for a wonderful treat.

WILL: I heard the Tiong Bahru bakery when my Ma'am Ivy Woon told me that Sir Francis' and Kuya Dexter's birthday cake of 2012 was from that bakeshop, from there on I took a mental note that someday Abbey and I will visit that place. But...
      Abbey swept off my feet when he got home from a night shift and he is carrying a bag of Tiong Bahru croissants. He told me that it is a famous one here in Singapore and I want him to judge it out. 
      I smelled, I bit, I chewed! This is really a good one! Love it a lot! Even our housemate fell in love with it instantly.
      One of their branch is located at Raffles City and expect a long but fast served queue. 
      Don't miss to try this! 

Digestives

ABBEY: My officemate used to bring this crackers at work. I was surprised that Wilma is fond of eating it also. We bought a large pack for 1.95sgd at Sheng Shiong. The cookie tastes good. It has a creamy after taste. Good to be partnered with coffee or tea. Beware to handle it gently else the cookie will crumble.

WILL: My colleague introduced me to this biscuits. At first I was hesitant to get some but Jay insisted. So I took and had a bite. Since then this became one of my favorite biscuits. 

      Its very tasty and it is somewhat melts in my mouth. It reminds me of my childhood biscuits. This available in major supermarkets islandwide, $3. 

London Roll Chocolate Flavour

ABBEY: This is an alternative to Pinoy's Inipit. As its name says it's a roll. A roll filled with sweet vanilla filling. Small in size compared to my appetite but fills in to complete my coffee breaks. A box costs less than 5sgd.

WILL: Okay, i love breads and biscuits but this roll have no appeal for me. For only $3.25 per box Abbey had these as his snack for almost two weeks. 
       When it was down to two pieces, I opened one and munch in. Hayyy, the taste is so nice partnered with my hot drink. I love it a lot. Buy some. 

Quiznos Sub Singapore

ABBEY: I first saw their branch at Changi Airport but it was closed for the day. Then they open a new branch at CityLink Mall. 50% off for their beef, chicken and tuna sandwich for 3 weeks. The meal cost less than 10sgd with drink and soup.

The sandwich is delicious and mouth watering. It's a nine-inch delight so your craving will be satisfied. Adjacent to the shop is their sister company, an ice cream parlor.

WILL: Abbey handed me a flyer cum coupons. Then we go to their newly established site at CityLink Mall and ordered one for mirienda after office.  
      We bought their beef sandwich combo with soup and a soft drink. Soup is not good but not bad. The sub meat has its flavor that is distinctively with others. Love it! I think I can eat a whole 12 inch. Hehe. :) 

Pandesal

Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups bread flour

1/2 cup sugar

5 tblsp butter, melted

1 1/4 fresh milk, warm

1 tblsp instant yeast

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 egg

1 tbsp cooking oil ( I used olive oil)

bread crumbs

Mix the yeast, a tablespoon of sugar, and warm milk. Stir until dissolved and set aside. The mixture is ready once the bubbles form.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. (bread flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt). Make sure they are well blended.

Place the egg, butter and milk-sugar-yeast mixture into the bowl to form a dough. Take the dough and knead it on flour-sprinkled flat surface.

Once the texture is smooth, place it again in the bowl and let it sit for 30-45 minutes as the yeast do its work.

The dough size will be doubled by-now. Cut it into 4 long pieces, then into smaller chunks.

Roll the dough chunks in bread crumbs and place them in a baking tray. Set aside for 10-15 minutes before putting in the oven.

During this time, pre-heat the oven to 375 fahrenheit.

Bake the dough for 15 minutes. Serve the bread hot with your favorite spread or filling.

WILL: Abbey is so eager to make this bread. Pandesal is the most commonly bread you can see in every Filipinos' dining table every breakfast. This is so great to teamed up with coffee, but for me this is best with milky white champorado. Hehe. 
      When Abbey baked these, the aroma filled our house. So much to take everyone tasted his creation. Haha. 
     That was my third sickly day when he baked this one. I am so sick that even imagining a food to intake makes me dizzy. But when I smelled this one, i took all the effort to eat up some. The taste? Unexpected. This is the taste I am looking for in a pandesal. Firm and yet soft inside. Thanks baby. Magtatayo na tayo ng bakery. Hehe. 

Cupp Keyk

ABBEY:
This costs 2.50php back in Philippines when it was first introduced in the market. I think it costs 6php nowadays. It still has the same taste even the size is comparably smaller and the package design was changed. A cup cake is individually contained in a foil-pack to keep it fresh. They are good partner for my coffee breaks

WILL: Cupp keyk is cheaper version of Philippines to the very well-known cupcakes of the west. 
      For only 6Php each you can linger in to the chocolatety bread and its nutty toppings! This is can be a great team-up with my tea! Love this a lot! 

Magic Flakes

ABBEY: Magic flakes offer more crackers than any brand in the Philippines. With four crackers in a pack, it's a quick-fire solution to the hunger you experience hours before mealtime. 

This is also a good combo with coffee or tea. Now, the crackers had evolved. They have  cheese, peanut butter, chocolate and butter fillings. I have tasted it from time to time but I keep coming back for the original :)

WILL:  I love this crackers. Unlike other crackers that has this dull taste this is quite salty. 

       A great partner with my hot tea. We bought this at Philippines and only costs us not more than $2 per pack of 10. Hehe. 

Marche

ABBEY: We were entice especially my wife by the bread of Marche. Whenever we pass by it we are thinking of buying one but it's almost always happens that we have already a loaf at home. One time when we strolling along Somerset we bought wholemeal loaf. It's a huge bread. Its has very good aroma. You can eat the bread on its own. It's very tasty. Or you can partner it with chicken franks as did. I'm looking forward for the day that we can dine at their restaurant.

WILL: I saw Marche store at VivoCity and asked abbey if we can have some snack there sometime. And that sometime until now never happens, why? Vivo is quite far from us and his new office.

      Now, we bought this huge loaf and I am very very happy to see this bread. The taste is awesome, you will never need any spread for it. Crunchy outside and inside is so soft. Love this! This costs us nor more than $5.