(SPOT.ph) If there’s anything we’ve got in common with Europe, it’s the deep significance of Christmas in our culture—and that, of course, translates to food. Over in Italy and Germany, the season is marked with the preparation and consumption of the sweet breads known as panettone and stollen, respectively; these breads are similar in that they’ve generally got a rich yeasted base and have mix-ins that include dried and/or candied fruit (which at times may be spiked with alcohol), nuts, or even chocolate—though they’ve also got their differences.
Italy’s panettone is marked by its distinct dome shape, and tends to be on the airier (but still lush and buttery) end of the spectrum—thanks to how it's often hung upside-down to cool after being baked. Germany’s stollen (a.k.a. Christstollen or weihnachtsstollen), on the other hand, is oval-shaped and coated in powdered sugar so as to represent the body of baby Jesus in swaddling clothes; it tends to be a tad more rich and dense and can sometimes be filled with marzipan as well. Aside for making for indulgent and slightly-sweet treats especially when paired with good coffee, outside Italy and Germany, panettone and stollen are also popular gifts that are great alternatives to fruitcake during this time of the year. If you’re looking for spots to get freshly baked or more shelf-stable prepackaged versions in Manila, we’ve got you covered.
Also read: Christmas Confections: The Most Swoon-Worthy Desserts to Ring in the Holiday Season
Hit up these shops and online sellers for excellent panettone and stollen:
Wildflour
Wildflour bakes all sorts of classic breads, and for Christmas they’re bringing back the Panettone (P175/small, P395/large). Their take on the Italian favorite has an especially buttery bread base with candied fruits and a mix of nuts, plus a thin chocolate cake-like layer around the edges for a subtly-sweet touch. You can easily place your orders through their delivery website, Wildflour To-Go.
For orders, visit Wildflour To-Go’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Shangri-La at the Fort
You can count on Shangri-La at the Fort to whip up great Christmas pastries of all kinds, and they’ve got everything from fruitcake to assorted cookies to the Stollen Bread with Marzipan (P390). As the name implies, this special stollen’s got a wad of marzipan (a.k.a. the classic almond confection thought to be of German origin) down the center, contributing richness and a buttery almond aroma to every slice. Go ahead and visit their delivery website to get your fix.
For orders, visit Shangri-La at the Fort’s delivery website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Flour Pot Manila
You’ve tried or at least swooned over their famous rum cakes and strawberry shortcakes, but Flour Pot also bakes up a special Panettone (P600/eight inches) for the Christmas season. Both purists and chocolate fans are in for a treat, as they make two versions—one with the classic mixed glazed fruits, and another that’s studded with 65% single origin chocolate. Just message them on social media or mobile for orders.
For orders, send a message to Flour Pot on Facebook or Instagram, or contact 0916-493-7488.
Joconde Cakes
Famed for their cakes, Joconde rings in the holidays with their special Stollen (P850). Their version of the German classic stands out from other versions with its darker brown hue on the inside, matched by a subtle molasses-y note; each loaf is studded with dried fruits soaked in a special blend of rum, cognac and whiskey for months, making for complex-tasting bites. Though the brand itself is located in Bulacan, they also take orders in Manila for pickup in the Pasig area through the number below.
For orders, contact Nicole at 0906-474-5431. You can also check out Joconde Cakes’ Facebook page.
Cake Concepts
Famed for their decadent cakes with all sorts of whimsical and elaborate decorations, Cake Concepts bakes up a must-try Christollen (P350). Snowy-white on the outside and studded with candied fruit, this version also comes filled with marzipan, which Cake Concepts goes as far as to make from scratch! You can reach out to their landline or Viber numbers for orders.
For orders, contact 8723-2534 or 8723-2570; you can also reach out to 0917-832-6212 or 0917-791-0303 through Viber. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Santi’s
You can rely on Santi’s for a wide range of European ingredients and other grocery items, and come Christmas, they’re a go-to for pre-packaged stollen and panettone that are great for gifting to loved ones—or that boss of yours you’re trying your best to impress. For stollen, they carry the Ölz Meisterbäcker brand from Germany, which makes versions with and without marzipan; prices start at P160 for a small loaf. And for panettone, you can find the bread in different sizes and with different mix-ins from Italian brand Balocco; the basic Il Panettone starts at P432 for a 500-gram box. Santi’s doesn’t deliver, but you can call the branch nearest you and book a courier for delivery.
See a list of Santi’s branches and contact numbers. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Patisserie Bebe Rouge
There’s definitely more to this Japanese-French patisserie than just their famous strawberry shortcake. For Christmas, they’ve got the Stollen (P680), which is filled with dried fruit and nuts, then brushed with butter for added richness and covered in powdered sugar. You can reach out to one of their numbers and book a courier for delivery, or course your order through GrabFood—note that prices may vary on the app.
Available on GrabFood. You can also contact 0917-851-9636 or 0929-695-5229. For more information, check out Patisserie Bebe Rouge’s Facebook page.
Pantry Italy
Pantry Italy is a one-stop shop for essential Italian ingredients and pantry items, and if you’re looking for a gift any food fan would appreciate, the Christmas Eve Panettone Set (P2,939) is your best bet. Each set comes with a selection of cheeses (grana padano, manchego curado, Dutch truffle cheese, brie) cold cuts (truffle salami, prosciutto crudo, mortadella), a bottle of red sparkling wine, and a pre-packaged 750-gram box of Granducale Panettone Classico. Just visit their website for orders.
For orders, visit Pantry Italy’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
The Bow Tie Duck
You can count on online shop The Bow Tie Duck for all sorts of fine, top-quality eats from different parts of the world when you're looking to treat yo' self. They carry a small selection of panettone from Italian brand Bauli—including the Bauli Panettone Classico (starts at P262.50/100 grams) and Bauli Panettone in Collectible Square Metal Tin (P1,550/750 grams with square tin). They've also got the Panettone Traditional (P885/500 grams) fellow Italian brand Motta, studded with raisins and candied orange peel.
For orders, visit The Bow Tie Duck's website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Bonus: Roscon de Reyes from Barcino
Over in Spain, locals mark the season with roscon de reyes (a.k.a. king's cake)—a sweet, oval-shaped yeasted bread-slash-cake that's traditionally eaten around Christmas time and most especially on the day of Epiphany. Spanish resto and wine shop Barcino has got their own version that's got candied fruit and glazed toppings, making for a totally festive-looking treat with a subtly-sweet bite that's perfect with coffee or hot chocolate! You can choose between the nine-inch Pequeño (P475) and 11-inch Grande (P850) versions, and place your orders through their website.
For orders, visit Barcino's website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.
this strange new world.