Holiday treats: Beautiful edibles, Hummus in a bottle for Media Noche

December 29, 2024 | 2:56pm

MANILA, Philippines — One of the biggest reasons why we Filipinos have distinguished ourselves as having the longest Christmas celebration in the world is that we love Christmas, and if we can have our way, we would make it even longer.

This is why the Filipino Christmas celebration begins as soon as the Halloween décor is removed and extends all the way up to the Feast of the Three Kings in January.

Now, we’re in the thick of our holiday celebration, and it is so much fun to be enjoying not just each other’s company but also all the holiday eats, sweets and goodies that are available in the market today. 

Delicious bites

This holiday season, The French Baker has brought back its classic Christmas treats, such as Pure Danish Butter Cookies in a big glass jar, Classic Fruitcake, Gingerbread House, and Brioche Bordelaise. These beautiful edibles are always a big treat during Christmastime.

Joining them are new items like Bûche de Noël, Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies, plus a small festive box of French Cookie Collection. The latter offers a few pieces each of Oatmeal Raisin, Maple Pecan, Sable, Vanilla Diamond, Macaron Almond Meringue, and Pistachio Tuile cookies to introduce you to the world of French cookies.

These Christmas treats all come in festive and elegant holiday packaging that evokes the Christmas spirit as much as it whets the appetite.

All these Christimas items are available in all The French Baker stores nationwide or visit www.thefrenchbakeronline.com.

Gourmet in a bottle

Chef Peachy Cebrero of Peach & Co. Test Kitchen has come up with four gourmet spreads that have been handcrafted to transform everyday snacks to gourmet experiences: Hummus, Chicken Liver Pate, Pesto Butter Cream Cheese Spread, and Honey Trail Mix.

Hummus is a high-protein, fiber-rich Mediterranean dip made with chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil. Indulgence in every spread, Chef Peachy’s take on Chicken Liver Pate is rich and buttery and preservative free. Pesto Butter Cream Cheese is a creamy, savory blend of rich butter, tangy cream cheese and vibrant pesto which, aside from being a spread on bread, can also be used for pasta or mixing with Honey Trail Mix. As for Honey Trail Mix, it is a blend of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and honey for healthy snacking.

To order, visit Peach & Co.’s FB page.   

Seasonal treats

Known for its delicious cakes, pastries and other desserts, Honeybon adds sparkle to holiday celebrations with its selection of beautifully crafted, home-baked treats.

This season, it presents the Candy Cane Cottage, a grand gingerbread house decked out with candy cane details and festive decorations. It can serve as a breathtaking centerpiece for get-togethers.

For smaller, more intimate settings, Santa’s Snowy Lodge offers a cozy, winter-inspired option with its frosted details and rustic charm. It is also a gingerbread house, but smaller.

But the piece de resistance for this season is Honeybon’s Hot Chocolate Cake, a decadent chocolate cake that is sure to be a favorite of those craving for the comforting taste of hot chocolate, beautifully presented in a cake.

These holiday treats are still available at Honeybon Festival Mall and select Tokyo Bubble Tea branches (Wilson St. in Greenhills, Banawe, and The Fort).

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