Christmas Squares Cookies by Kumori Japanese Bakery Philippines

One of the many food that I associate with Christmas season is cookies. Is that weird? Not really, right? Come the first of Christmas month, piles of cookies would slowly gather in my pantry. None of which are baked by me because while I am confident that I can cook a feast that could feed a Village, baking is not really one of my strongest suits since I hate following instruction to a T. So really, I am not complaining.

Some of these are given by baker friends who banks on the idea that I could honestly give criticism without battling an eyelash which they appreciate, some are gifts, while some are lined up for a blog or magazine feature. This year, I got this Christmas Squares Cookies by Kumori Philippines.

It was actually a gift from the kindly people at Relish Group tucked in a cute Christmas-themed paper bag alongside an equally cute personalized key chain. Relish Group as you may have known is the people behind Osaka Osho, Wee Nam Kee, Kumori, and other food businesses in Manila. But this gift, I find good and fit for a blog feature, so here we are.

A Love Letter to Chocolate Chip Army Cookies

Oh Chocolate Chip Army Cookies, how can I even begin to tell you how much your impeccable awesomeness blew me away? Perhaps by a salute? How about declaring you as one of the best cookies I have ever eaten in my years of food blogging?  I couldn’t think of any other ways right now but I am well aware that you deserve more than that.

A bite into your handcrafted cookies made me feel like I can battle the craziness of this world. It made me feel like I can soldier things out because at the end of the day, I can count on your downright deliciousness which can calm my nerves. You made me a cookie soldier.

It is so mighty courageous of you to join the food delivery landscape in Manila with only your cookies as your weapon in the midst of food delivery infested battle field. What is more courageous is the fact that you have even built a camp of your own where cookie soldiers like us may visit you and dine in. 

The Cookie Bar Manila, Kapitolyo Pasig: Cookie Shots and More

Our visit at the Cookie Bar Manila in Kapitolyo, Pasig City happened after the feast we had at Lee Hak Korean Buffet. I am not really aware of this pastry shop until my friend Gio mentioned about their Cookie Shots. I was not aware that we already have cookie shots in Manila. So off we went.

Cookie Shots, popularized by Dominique Ansel is basically a chocolate chip cookie in a cup form filled with milk.

I was still full from the buffet feast we had so honestly, I couldn't care less about having a dessert. But Gio was very adamant in trying out the cookie shots so despite the degree of satiety I was dealing with, I just let them drag me into their mission - to locate the Cookie Bar.

The Original Cookie Sticks: Happiness In a Form of Sticks

The Cookie Sticks is a new food business concept specializing in well-loved cookies with a different treatment. Instead of the usual round flat shape, Cookie Sticks features a modern twist to a classic - cookies in a form of stick. 

Established by Marc and Tina, a couple that hails from Marikina City, The Original Cookie Sticks aims to provide a new way to enjoy an old-time favorite. A very apt accompaniment to cookies in stick form, Grissini or Breadsticks is also one of the products that The Original Cookie Sticks is known for.

Currently, The Original Cookie Sticks has three branches; SM Megamall, SM Fairview, SM Southmall, Malanday Marikina, and a distributor at The District Ayala Northpoint Mall in Talisay Negros Occidental.  I got to visit their SM Megamall branch recently to try their products and while I haven't opened my stash yet, I was already impressed by the look of their kiosk.

Dishanel's Heavenly Homebaked Cakes and Pastries

First time I have tried a product of Dishanel's Heavenly Homebaked Cakes and Pastries was way back my high school days. Dishanel was not yet a business that time, rather, homebaker Dianne Ronelle Reyes-Bona was just celebrating her love for creating magic in her kitchen. It was a homemade baked rice cake, the first creation of Dianne which I have tried. To say that it was indeed heavenly would be an understatement. I remember ditching the dinuguan that came with it, and savor the goodness of the puto as it is.

Certainly, I was not into food blogging yet at that time. However, right at that moment, aside from the pleasure-induced explicit that may have came out of my mouth (at high school, yes, sorry!) I wished that I could put into words the goodness of that immaculate homemade rice cake with the eloquence of a food writer to give it justice.

Needless to say, Dianne's creations made repeat performances in most of our family gatherings. Her arsenal of baked goodies ranges from that rice cake that made me a believer, to cookies, to cupcakes, and to cakes with impressive art decorations to boot. Fast forward to 2013, Dianne took the leap of faith and transformed her love for baking into a home business.