Baking Ingredients 101
It can’t be the holiday season unless you have baked SOMETHING! 
In our home, the ovens go into overdrive this time of year and at Marketmanila, we started over a month ago testing ensaimada recipes, making several leche flans, pan de sal, lenguas, angel food cake, upside down pineapple cake, cookies… and the list goes on and on. Several readers have left comments regarding some of the key ingredients that I use for pan de sal and other baked goods so I thought I would put a quick post on the basics for those of you who are interested… First, the flour. I normally use the readily available Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour for recipes that specify all-purpose flour. Even though it says pre-sifted, always re-sift if the recipe asks for it. For breads, ensaimada, etc., I use a harder wheat flour, in this case from Liberty Mills and purchased from a bakery supplies store in Nasugbu town (though this is available in Manila and all towns above 5,000 population, I would think). It appears in the photo here and essentially it is better for bread.
This hard wheat flour is what approximates the old name “primera” which 
refers to quality and essentially gluten content, I think. It is also not as bleached as supermarket all-purpose flour. For cakes, I used boxed Maya cake flour only because I haven’t seen anything else, have had mediocre results with Maya so far. I read somewhere once that if you can’t find cake flour you just have to slightly reduce the amount of all-purpose flour to attempt to replicate the impact of using cake flour. For eggs, I use the finest organic eggs I can find such as the organic eggs from Joey Malana at the Salcedo market (though his are the bloody priciest I have ever purchased at PHP250 for 30 eggs and that’s discounted!) or the organic egg seller at the Taguig market. They have a near orange yolk and a viscous white. I thought I would do well to buy eggs in local town markets but they have generally turned out to be extremely watery and the yolks break into the whites annoyingly often… In general, the cost of ingredients in baked goods is small compared to say a meat dish, so splurge for the finest quality you can afford.
On butter, I have mixed feelings. I have practically given up. 
For some reason, the Philippines has really crappy butter – generally very high water content (which screws up recipes big-time) and lower than average quality. There are a few European and Australian butter brands available but they are incredibly expensive for the slight bump up in quality. For recipes which I don’t think the butter will necessary shine through, I use any decent locally available unsalted butter. In theory, unsalted should be of a better quality as there is no salt to mask the underlying taste of the butter. When I need something that will shine through the finished product, I go French or Danish (the latter on the assumption that they must have happy cows in Denmark, right?) and pay through the nose. Think butter spread ON TOP of finished ensaimadas then sprinkled with sugar and cheese and think nose-bleed butter. My sister buys superb top-quality French butter in New York from a wholesaler that delivers it to her home during peak baking seasons…how lucky is that!?!
On sugar, I should point out that despite our growing literally tons of the stuff, the bulk white sugar you get in the grocery is oddly, not the finest quality. It is often relatively large grain, so much so that sometimes it doesn’t mix well with other ingredients and your cookies come out grainy and the sugar granules are clearly visible. The brown sugar readily available is also crappy and looks like colored white sugar. If I need sugar that has to disappear into the dish, I buy the Peotraco caster sugar from better groceries which is finer and not that much more expensive. I also use their powdered sugar for icing on the “annual” gingerbread house. I have been known to literally fill a whole grocery cart with powdered sugar in boxes when they don’t have the bulk plastic bags available… finally, all through the year I keep my eyes out for good brown sugar like muscovado that looks, feels and smells like brown sugar should. If it clumps up and gets hard, that’s actually a good sign that it is the kind of sugar you should want. I read somewhere that if keep apple slices in the sugar jar it will prevent it from clumping up… I haven’t tried this and wonder if it will work in such a humid country…but that’s what I read.
On yeast, I use Fleischmans yeast in packets if I am only doing a little baking. This is the priciest of the locally available yeasts but it is reliable. Just make sure it hasn’t expired. If I am baking in bulk, I buy the Red Star yeast in cans and once opened keep it in the fridge. I throw it out after 5-6 weeks and buy a new can to ensure the best quality. On salt, I am lucky enough to have one more box of really salty tasting kosher salt that I use in bread. As with half the good stuff for sale in Manila, it is now no longer in stock and the store doesn’t know if they will ever get it again… Everyday iodized salt is good for most recipes. In fact, most recipes are done using measurements that approximate fine grain iodized salt.
Finally, for some of the readers, as you frantically search for sources… here are some you may or may not know about. Landmark grocery in Makati, while a mess, does have many of your baking needs under one roof. I also go to Cook’s Exchange in the basement of Rockwell with branches at Megamall et al (for baking equipment, some ingredients, silpat mats, microplane graters, etc.), I also like Gourdo’s in the Fort with several other branches (utensils and a few ingredients) and lastly, someone has handed me details for SWEETCRAFT, a baking and confectionery supplies store located on Boni Avenue. I have never been there though it comes recommended. I also understand there is a Chocolate related bake shop in Quezon City somewhere but I have never been there either. For those interested in SWEETCRAFT, give them a ring at 532-1595 to make sure they are still in existence. They are at 373 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. I will try to check them out but things are a bit hectic these days…
Sweetcraft is 1 hidden bakers haven in Mandaluyong just like Galileo.You can get the best chocolates like Callebaut and Valhrona, the different flours like bread flour,cake flour, rice flour and whole wheat flour, they have different nuts as well. They have a clean and well lighted shop.I always go there for our baking needs for our pastry shop. You dont have to go to Killion in Quiapo for these things at this times coz of the traffic.
December 8th, 2005Thanks for that belle, now I really will make an effort to check this out sometime soon!
December 8th, 2005For “clump-free” brown sugar, put a slice of plain white bread (we call ‘em tasty) in the jar and close it tightly. After a week or so, that piece of bread will be hard and dry, so just throw it out and replace it with another piece. You’ll always have a jar of brown sugar with no clump. Guaranteed.
December 8th, 2005Cont. …
December 8th, 2005This also works for cookies. If you want to keep the (chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal, etc.) cookies that you baked soft and moist (as opposed to dry and crumbly) put a piece of white bread in your cookie jar.
My vote goes to Chefs Nook which is at 220 Pilar St. in Mandaluyong. Phone: 724-5812. The owner, Imelda Go, really knows her stuff: she refrigerates the nuts that she sells and she has a wide variety of chocolates and cocoa powder. Also available are Microplanes and zesters, Silpat mats, and lots of other baking supplies that make me batty with joy.
December 8th, 2005I imagine the Danish cows to be happily mooing while wearing Viking horned hats (very Wagneresque).
December 8th, 2005Thanks for this post Marketman! All this info definitely helps…will check out Sweetcraft and Chefs Nook (thanks Lori!) As soon as the holidays are over (crazy time). My aunt also mentioned this place to me along Shaw that I want to check out as well…thanks again! :)
December 8th, 2005since am not located on your side of the pond my question is about FLOUR and siopao. How come the siopao dough there is SO WHITE?when I do mine here I get just a regular dough colour. Is this something what you mentioned BLEACHED? or they actually put something to keep the dough so ghostly white.
Off topic I made LP4.5
December 8th, 2005HiMarketMan, would you know where to find “baker’s salt” in Manila? I heard chocolate cake tastes better with that salt sprinkled on top…
I’ve only seen “black salt” (but it’s colours pink) in an Indian store besides the usual sea, iodized and kosher (i haven’t seen one)
December 9th, 2005ShoppaHolique, I haven’t heard of “baker’s salt” though I have seen several mentions in really good chocolate essert cookbooks about adding salt to chocolate to “bring out” the flavor…for the most part, they refer to natural sea salt, generally the lightly flaky ones from France or Britain. I found some kosher salt that is rather flaky but the grocery that had it doesn’t carry it anymore. Schatzli, I have no clue why siopao bread is stark white…you have to give me some time to find that out. I don’t think it’s just bleached flour (most packaged grocery flour is bleached unless otherwise stated)… lori, I have heard good things about Chef’s Nook too but the last time I tried to find it, we got lost in the addition hills? so now with your exact address given I will check it out soon… Enya, thanks for that white bread tip.
December 9th, 2005Siopao bread is angel white because a little bit of lye is added to the dough.
December 9th, 2005“Bleached” flour has not been through a clorox bath, it simply has been exposed to a longer period of sunlight or the equivalent at the mill.
If you do not have cake or pastry flour just add 1/4 c. cornstarch to 3/4 cup regular all-purpose flour.
To make white sugar finer just put it in a food processor and process for one minute. No need to buy caster sugar.
Speaking of happy cows, napanood ko sa Discovery Travel and Living, one of the happiest daw ang sa Kobe Japan, kaya napaka mahal ng Kobe beef. Imagine baka na pinapainom pa ng alak para ma relax??? hehe. Baka lasang alak na ang gatas nila. :)
December 9th, 2005I buy my baking needs from Chocolate Lovers, they have 3 branches; one in Tuazon, Cubao then in Kitanlad Quezon Ave., and another one in Bel Air, Makati.
I’ll try to visit Sweet Craft, Chef’s Nook and Cook’s Exchange.
Upps, I am not an expert baker but I agree with what MM said, “so splurge for the finest quality you can afford.”
Thanks MM!
December 9th, 2005FYI for Lani: Chocolate Lovers closed its Makati branch early this year. That leaves only Cubao & Kitanlad branches.
December 10th, 2005MM, you can also check on Chocolate Lover’s (store of different baking needs) located at P. Tuazon. You can easily locate them as their store looks like a Castle.
December 10th, 2005Will have to do a baking store tour soon…hmmm, maybe after the holidays nalang!
December 10th, 2005Thanks for all the advice on where to fine confections and baking needs. I have a new found site that I would like to visit everyday. What a great contribution to the cooking enthusiast!
I would like to give away chocolates with my own design. Woudl you have any idea where I can have molds custom-made? Plastic, probably, right?
More power!
Sita
December 16th, 2005Sita, Cooks Exchange with branches in Megamall and Glorietta and Rockwell had some molds when I was last there…
December 16th, 2005Hello MarketMan,
Do you know where I can get real sourdough to make starter with in Manila? I live in the U.S. and have been making baguettes, multigrain boules, Poilane-style loaves (well I try) with sourdough starters from Germany and San Francisco for some time now. Since I’m in Manila for the holidays, I want to make sourdough-leavened breads for friends and family. I’d appreciate any leads. Thanks for great food blogging!
P.S. Oh, where can I get small amounts of whole wheat flour too?
December 19th, 2005trish, not sure where you can buy commercial starters and I am too amateurish to have my own starters growing constantly in the house somewhere (my sister does this in New York). I suppose you could make some from yeast and other mold but I wouldn’t be able to help you much… As for whole wheat, you may try the Metro grocery at Market!Market!, Rustan’s or Healthy Options. The bakery stores mentioned above in mandaluyong should also have it in retail amounts…good luck!
December 20th, 2005hi. would you know where we can get glazed fruits are reasonable prices? what is the going rate for a kilo of glazed fruits?
February 11th, 2006thanks!
dies, sorry, I haven’t purchased glazed fruit in Manila lately. In fact, I have a pending post on glazed fruit from Australia for table consumption (rather than baking). Have no idea how much it would cost but I suppose any of the large bake shops (some mentioned in comments above) would carry it…
February 11th, 2006Hi! I’d like to inform you that there’s this newly-opened baking supplies shop in Pasig City. It’s called INGRID’S SWEET HAVEN Patisserie and Baking Supplies. The place is chic, clean and full of baking (and eating!) products. Their price is really reasonable and the people are very friendly. You’ll not miss it once you’re in Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue (it’s a national road already.. where jeepneys going to Pasig Palengke and Marikina pass by) because the store is a bright yellow brick house. Their office number is 641-2561. I’ve been there once and I’ll definitely go back there. It’s like going to Quiapo and Divisoria for the inexpensive products but like shopping in an air-conditioned mall!
March 9th, 2006Thanks Mae, I hope to check it out one day…
March 10th, 2006HI !
WHAT STORE IN NASUGBU SELLS PRIMERA LIBERTY ? STREET ADDRESS ?
I AM THERE ONCE A MONTH AND WILL GET SOME. I WILL USE IT ON MY BREAD MAKER !
THANKS !
April 5th, 2006chimmy, good grief, too specific for me. When heading from Manila to Tali, it is on the left side of the road before the gas station in nasugbu proper, it has a shellane sign I think. they have sacks of flour as well as other baking supplies. Sorry I don’t have an address. Every bakery in town will point you to the same source…
April 7th, 2006WHERE DO I BUY LYE THEY USE IN SIOPAO? TNX
April 14th, 2006Can you recommend a store or brand for buying lye they use in whitening siopao? And could you give me a recipe that includes the right proportion of lye in making siopao. Tnx again
April 14th, 2006baker’s flour has higher protein content hence much more stable than ordinary flour (protein content usually around 5%).
in my early foray into baking bread just for home consumption,i made the mistake of using all-purpose flour, but it’s not the same.
i’ve come across some recipes for white bread that calls for bread improver. i haven’t really got to the bottom of it yet i.e. what does it do. any thoughts?
April 16th, 2006ms, I suspect “bread improver” introduces more gluten to your dough… not sure though… on the question of LYE, I have never purchased it but i suspect you could get it at Mercury Drug or other boticas…I don’t know what proportion is used…
April 17th, 2006I live in Las Pinas. Do you have baking supplies store somewhere in my area? I buy my supplies in Chocolate Lovers
May 7th, 2006vangie, sorry, I am not familiar with a baking supplies shop in Las Pinas… if other readers know more, pls. leave a comment, thanks.
May 8th, 2006hi thanks for all the information regarding bakery supplies store. i was wondering could someone give me specific directions or complete address of SWeet craft? possibly even a phone number? also for those of you who know more shops kindly post other bakery supplies stores out there and their addy and tel. so far i only have chocolate lovers, sweet craft chefs nook and ingrid’s sweet haven im planning to do some canvassing for my upcomming bakeshop. thanks a lot!
June 22nd, 2006hi there!
it’s me again. was also wondering if anyone of you can pinpoi nt me to a cake and pastry packaging supplier/s would sure appreciate it. also kindly put in the addy and tel again. thanks so much
June 22nd, 2006ena, there are a few food packaging stores in Divisoria where you can get generic clear plastic bags, cellophane type bags, plastic containers, etc… Commoners Commercial is one that I go to often to stock up. I think I have it as part of my archive post on Divisoria. As for the other bakery stores, there are quite a few in Manila… I have never been to Sweet Craft so I can’t give you directions…
June 22nd, 2006hi! tried searching your archive related to Divisoria but was unsuccesful how do i go there? what street? thanks!
June 23rd, 2006ena, look for address of commoners commercial here http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/divisoria-pre-christmas-lunacy …it’s also in the phone book I think.
June 23rd, 2006Hello!
Would you know who is the supplier of starbucks chocolate cake?
June 27th, 2006Sleep, sorry, I don’t.
June 27th, 2006Would you happen to have the number of Purple Oven?
June 27th, 2006This is my first time to visit your site, and it’s definitely not going to be the last! I will try out the stores that you mentioned when I am in Manila. I live in Davao, and the Gaisano mall supermarket here carries a lot of the items mentioned above. I have seen Kosher Salt (Morton’s.. I have wondered what the price premium was for, until I read your post), sourdough mix, nuts, whole wheat flour, choco, etc. Too bad it’s far from Manila!
July 4th, 2006Hello! Do you know where is Purple Oven(telephone nos. please) and where can I can
July 17th, 2006get supplier of turkey ham aside from Santis.
Hi Ena!
July 21st, 2006There’s this baking supplies store that i just visited a week ago. I was so happy with thevariety of products,from their complete line of couverture/compound chocolates (Valrhona, Callebaut, Tuip, Cacao Barry) to the basic ingredients in baking.It is a well-lit,air-conditioned place and prices are really affordable.Prices for most of the products they import/sell are even cheaper in Quiapo and Divisoria. It is a one-stop baking and confectionery shop. Very clean and the staff are very accomodating.It is called SWEETCRAFT BAKING & CONFECTIONERY SUPPLIES. It’s at 373 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. Tel #’s 532-1595/532-6289.Every cent spent is worth it. It is near Edsa so easier to find.
hello.
can i ask the web site of chocolate lovers? please thanks
July 24th, 2006janelle, sorry, I don’t have the website address of Chocolate lovers, perhaps if other readers know they will leave a comment here…
July 24th, 2006For those living in Las Pinas, they can buy their baking supplies and ingredients from Chocolate Magic located along Alabang Zapote Road near the corner of Casimiro also near Makro
August 2nd, 2006hi someone was looking for the site of chocolate lovers here it is http://www.chocolatelover.com.ph/cbca_mkt_aug.htm
ena
August 18th, 2006I am looking for the bakery supplier for Starbucks here in Manila - preferably on pasig side–They used to carry an Expresso (Heavenly) Cheesecake that was fantastic and melted in your mouth…heard that some bakery called Purple Oven made it — Any info, tel, address for Purple Oven???
September 14th, 2006Thnx so much!
gingermom, sorry, I don’t have the number of Purple Oven.
September 14th, 2006hi marketman!
i’m in dire need of help… i mistakenly purchased 1st class flour being misinformed by the seller that it can be used in cookies and be interchanged with all purpose flour and low and behold i was wrong. now i need to bake some orders for tom. is there a way i could use the 1st class flour and just mix it with cornstarch to produce all purpose flour like what i normally do when substituting all purpose flour with cake flour, u know adding cornstarch to it?
thanks in advance
September 19th, 2006ena, the flour you purchased is probably higher gluten flour hence the difference from all-purpose flour. Higher gluten flour has a higher percentage of proteins. I am not sure what you can do to correct it, I have heard the all purpose to cake flour trick but not a high gluten flour to all purpose flour trick…personally, I would run out to a late night grocery and buy some all purpose flour rather than risk another disaster! Sorry, I can’t be of more help!
September 19th, 2006Purple Oven was featured in a daily a few years back, I think it was PDI. Lost the address but it’s somewhere in Cubao.
January 5th, 2007hi! ive been reading entrepreneur phils for almost 3 years. they featured the steps on how to make chocolates. fortunately, sweetcraft baking and confectionery supplies is there to entertain and accept comments. i am planning to make chocolates for business but my problem is the supply. can you source me the materials and ingredients for making chocos? Thank you and more power! hope to hear from you soon. . . . .
May 16th, 2007Hi, -dAe- hiR. .! im not a mom, nor’ a wife..
May 16th, 2007but a child whos looking forward into my future, and especially in helping my parents in sending me to school.. Well, me as a girl, ive got lots of ideas on cool & girly businesses.. but one of my Weapon of choice is selling sweets..(uhmMm,YUMMY!)..but one problem is,where to purchase them.. coz you know, selling sweets is really Euphoric, its a cool & unique business.. fortunately, ill be glad to recieve your reply..God bless, and may a rainbow of blessings will
shine on you..vAvoOoOh!!=)
daeliciouz, learn how to bake or cook something competently. Acting as a middleman by buying something and re-selling has very little margins involved. I’m sure you also think writing creatively is amusing, and it is, but writing straight English for business is probably best. Good luck. Sherrie, I don’t sell anything. You will have to ensure your supplies through wholesale shops like Sweetcraft…
May 16th, 2007mariel ika ba yan? ds carlo from lubao
May 27th, 2007hi sa lahat..syempre sayo marketman..merun po ba may lam kun san makakabili ng oven? nagbebake kase po ako at ndi po kase magandang klase yung oven na gingamit ko..inaacurate kase ang temperature.gusto ko po kase yung tipong pang commercial..kase pagawa lang po namin to at luma na..magkano po kaya? at san din po makakabili ng wilton products..yung mga cake stand nila at yung ibang item na mura…? i hope matulungan nyo po ako.
May 29th, 2007shiela, ang daming nagbebenta ng mga ovens…try Shoemart appliances or even Abensons or Ansons. A decent oven should jrun PHP20-30,000 or more these days. But before buying a new oven, buying a small oven thermometer so you can gauge the temperature of your oven is probably a cheaper way to go for now. If you want commercial ovens, like for bakeries, you are talking PHP100,000 to millions, depending on size. Wilton products are available at the home section of shoemart department stores (especially Makati) or at Gourdo’s at Fort Bonifacio. There are also many baking supplies stores like Sweetcraft on Boni Ave or others in Mandaluyong and Quezon City.
May 29th, 2007This is the number of Purple Oven: 631-4221
May 29th, 2007Hi Marketman!!!
I live in Antipolo, and I go all the way to Chocolate lovers to get most of the ingredients I need for baking. I really love baking and infact, some of my friends would order cakes and pastries from me…I would want to put up my own bakery and confectionery supplies store just like chocolate lovers (smaller version) but I don’t know where I can get the necessary supplies that I can buy for a cheaper price and sell it for a reasonable price? I hope you could give me some information where I can get wholesale prices for baking supplies. Thanks!
May 31st, 2007Hi Ms. Maybelle (also Marketman :) )! I would like to invite you to visit our store in Pasig — INGRID’s Sweet Haven Patisserie & Baking Supplies. We carry a wide selection of baking ingredients, confectionery supplies, packaging materials, sugar flowers, icings, premixes, silicone baking products, baking pans, etc. We also offer baking classes to beginners and those who would like to put up their own business. Hope to meet you soon! You may contact us thru 641-2561 for sketch direction :)
June 10th, 2007Hi! Just happened to browse the site. I wonder if anybody knows if where i can buy chcolate maker/chocolate wonder/chocolate do-it-yourself kit or whatever you call it? It is like a set for making home-made chocolate which includes a double boiler, 8pcs or molder, dipping fork, measuring cup. I want to make a souvenir for my brothers birthday. thanks!!
June 13th, 2007Hi! I’m looking for a bakery who can supply and make chocolates …I have a specific mold/design. Thanks! =)
June 28th, 2007Hi Ingrid,
I will be in Manila this month and I am looking for suppliers of chocolate products, moulders, etc. How do i get to your place from Ortigas (granting I stay there) or from Makati and what are your office hours? Thanks
August 2nd, 2007hi market man do you know where i can buy the bread improver i been in divisoria but i coulnt fine it
August 12th, 2007thank
HI there purple oven’s number 9101365
August 13th, 2007Please visit us at www.ingridsweethaven.com :)
August 19th, 2007hi there! i really love butterscotch brownie from starbucks.can i get the no.of purple oven and chef’s secret?
October 19th, 2007Hi MM, i’ve been visiting your site for quite sumtym now, and i really find it very helpful and educational at the same time. Am using valrhona cocoa powder for that extra special kick,but i still add bittersweet chocolate, would u know what’s the best brand for that? Buncha thanks & more power!
October 23rd, 2007tielygirl, locally available, I think there is Callebaut and Valrona bittersweet chocolate that is pretty good…. or if you go to the grocery there is Lindt or other retail type chocolates…
October 23rd, 2007I’m about to try baking a ciabatta, and the recipe calls for a “baking stone”. Where can I buy one in the metro?
October 24th, 2007PiPer, some baking or kitchen stores sell the stone to be placed at the bottom rack of your oven, the one in the basement of Rockwell used to have them, but if you want a cheap adequate solution, buy unfinished Vigan tiles from a large hardware, wash them and try them, then put them in a really hot oven to sterilize them for say 30-45 minutes, before going on with the recipe as stated… Do not get glazed tiles, just the plain red ones with no finishing…
October 24th, 2007Thanks, MM! I’m sure you saved me a lot by recommending the vigan tiles as substitute to the baking stones. You’re right about getting unglazed tiles—the glazed ones may have harmful lead in the paint!
October 24th, 2007hola! marketman! i’m thinking of having a small pastry business, but i don’t have any experience in baking, i just thought that pastries will click this coming christmas. can u give me some inspirational advise for me to carry along.
October 28th, 2007help me naman oh!
God bless and more power!
liel, if you have no experience in baking, I wouldn’t think of putting up a pastry business.
October 28th, 2007HELLO! i’m trying to cut on production cost for my brownies and butter is one of the most expensive ingredient..i’m currently using magnolia gold unsalted butter..do you know of another cheaper brand? ‘cos i noticed that the only available cheap brand is not butter but margarine. can i use that too?
Another thing is vanilla. The one im using is from Chocolate Lovers and it’s quite expensive compared to the ones from the grocery…can you recommend another brand that is cheaper but of good quality?
Lastly, Im also looking for a chocolate shop closer to my house in Muntinlupa, do you know one? Cos the only place i know is Chocolate Lover’s in Cubao.
thanks for your help! this site is superb!
November 5th, 2007joey, your end product is only as good as the ingredients. Magnolia gold unsalted is only a notch above other branded grocery butters, unsalted being a little better than salted. No, I don’t know of a more economical alternative. There are several shops mentioned in the comments above if you read them.
November 5th, 2007liel,
if you want to go into the food business, mag aral ka muna magbake. i dont want to buy pastries from a BUSINESSMAN,id rather buy from a CHEF.
November 7th, 2007hi there! i wonder what to use to replace self rising flour for my carot cake? and is the coffee powder for chocolate cake is same as the coffee we ususally drink? thanks!
November 13th, 2007pat, I am not certain, but maybe you can use cake flour instead of self-rising flour? And yes, coffee powder refers to instant coffee crystals…
November 13th, 2007do you know any place where i could buy lye which they say is used for making soap?
November 14th, 2007I think they sell lye in the wet markets.
November 14th, 2007Self-raising flour: for every 1 cup flour + 1 tsp baking powder.
November 16th, 2007Hi Joey, I spied Queensland butter that is cheaper than Magnolia. They have unsalted also. I hope that helps.
November 20th, 2007this site is really a big help! thanks to all of u. i learned a lot and got lots of info though im not really a good baker but i do some pastries and cookies and some cooking.
one question. how long is the self life of a bonafee pie? i know how to make it but i dont know how long will last because of the bananas?
thanks and happy baking to all.
November 21st, 2007bonafee pie? Is that the same is banana pie? If it is, the one I’m baking lasts for approximately one week.
November 22nd, 2007hi to everyone! do you have any idea where to find ready made pie crust and affordable cream cheese for my cheese cake.
November 24th, 2007ur advice will help me a lot! thanks!
You can check out S&R. They carry different kinds of ready made pie crusts (graham, pie shell, chocolate, etc). You can also use Magnolia cream cheese…same quality, cheaper than Philadelphia by 15.00!
November 24th, 2007hello everyone! hope it will help, those who wants to know where they can find molds for chocolates and packaging stuff, you can go to chocolate lovers. you can find a wide variety of molds, chocolate and packaging in cubao. and as for vanilla flavoring i’m using the orion brand because it doesnt taste like gulaman(samalamig) =) and it’s cheaper, only P16.00 per bottle…
December 1st, 2007good luck to everyone! happy baking…
where can I buy magnolia Whip n’ top?
Thanks
December 1st, 2007Hi MM,
Just bumb this site when i search where to buy baking products in the net. I find this site very helpful. I went to quiapo already to buy my baking stuff but 1 ing they dont have the “unbleached white flour.” Do you have idea where i can buy this flour. I’ll be using this for my sugar free stuff. Thank you for your reply.
God bless and more power MM
December 8th, 2007Hi, do you know any stores that sell baking stuff such as ingredients and supplies (ex: boxes for chocolate giveaways) in Makati area? thanks.
December 15th, 2007Hi, I came across the website http://creativeeventsph.com/favors_lib.php and found these contact details and addresses:
Chocolate Magic
Contact Person: Jimmy / Hilda
298-H Realt Street, Alabang Zapote Rd., Las Pinas
Tel: (02) 8718676
Chocolate Confections
December 15th, 2007Contact Person: Maribeth Santiago
151 Tanauan St. Ayala Alabang Vill.
Muntinlupa City
Tel: (02) 8509828
Mobile: (0917) 8931688
Hi! I’d Just like to ask for those who’ve tried baking cupcakes.. san kay bumibili ng pang icing ninyo? and how do you make it? I tried making icing by combining confectioner sugar, water and butter… pero na tunaw agad pag patong ko sa top. Gusto ko sana yung mala PROFESSIONAL ang dating nung cupcake :)
also, anong tawag dun sa mga color and flavoring dun sa top ng icing.. san kaya pwede bumili nun?
December 27th, 2007For those living in the Paranaque area, there’s this shop that sells baking stuff called DOUGH IT ALL in the market near BF Homes. Check it out.
January 3rd, 2008hi.
January 5th, 2008were can i study baking? any suggestions..thanks
Hi! This is the first time I came across this site and it is very helpful. I was wondering if Sweetcraft’s products are really cheaper than those in Quaipo and if someone could give me an example or estimate for comparison. Thank you for your time in answering.
January 8th, 2008Hi, anna! you should definitely try Heny Sison’s baking classes. I’ve tried her carrot cake recipe and it’s just heaven! My classmates at one cooking class said her fees are a bit pricey but well worth every cent (they could compare because they admit being cooking class addicts). Check out her web site at www.henysison.com for the schedule and fees. :)
January 20th, 2008this is a very helpful site and i am lucky i’ve seen accidentally because i am searching for 3 layers cake stand with a fountain which i’ve seen in a birthday party.i want to buy one but they don’t want to tell me where could i purchased.can you help me to locate a website even there in the phil.i am staying here in italy but maybe icould order one thru the site.
February 3rd, 2008hi marketman!i’m been very lucky to accidentally seen your site. i’ve been looking for supplies needed for sugarpaste icing especially the paste food color. please help me where could i buy all that stuff. your site is really a heaven sent! thanks!
February 5th, 2008hey! do you know of any baking supply store that does online selling? i’m in the province and it’s hard to find high quality ingredients and in whole sale. am trying to start a business. thanks for your help!
February 6th, 2008Neesha, I am not aware of a bakeshop that sells on-line here in the philippines. You may want to visit Manila suppliers at least once and set up relationships then see if they will ship to you based on phone orders…
February 7th, 2008judy, cooks exchange in major malls and several bakeshops mentioned in the comments above carry the paste food color. I am not sure who carries the sugarpaste icing… you could make it, I think. mary ann, Sorry, not sure what cake stand you seek, but there are some interesting ones at large SM departments stores in the home section. You can also try Gourd’s in Fort Bonifacio that carries baking utensils and supplies, including Wilton pans, etc.
February 7th, 2008thanks MM. i’m in the visayas and it costs too much to fly to Manila just for ingredients. I guess I’ll just look in nearby provinces then. =)
February 7th, 2008Hi!
February 8th, 2008I find the conversations here really interesting.
Can you tell please me where I can buy peach, blueberry and raspberry extracts/oils/flavoring around manila?
By the way, you can buy Peotraco Confectioner’s Sugar at Quiapo [(Killion-you just have to extra patient) and other similar stores in the area]. A 5-pound bag only costs less than php110.
adamant, I am would guess that the bakeshop supply stores in the comments above (the two in mandaluyong) might have fruit flavors/extracts.
February 9th, 2008hi there! Could anyone tell me the brand names of shortening available here in the Philippines? I’ve been trying to find a store that sells them but i don’t know exactly what to look for. I doubt they sell Crisco here and if they did it might cost a fortune.
February 18th, 2008Neesha, many large groceries here carry Crisco. It isn’t that difficult to find.
February 18th, 2008i googled and you’re the first on the list!
SALAMAT, I need good supplies and materials.
please allow me to link you.
March 20th, 2008Hello marketman can I ask your help about if you had a known store here in cebu city or place that is close to lapu-lapu city that sells bread ingredients..I hope you can help me for this..tnx and God bless…
March 26th, 2008Maricel, sorry, I am not familiar with baking supply stores in Cebu, but I suspect a couple of stores in the Carbon would be worth your while…
March 27th, 2008Hi Marketman! Some of your readers might be interested to know that we will offer a 2-day Basic Cake Decorating workshop on April 25 & 26 (Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)at our store in Pasig. It will be just a small class composed of (maximum) 12 students. Please visit our website www.ingridsweethaven.com or call us thru 6412561 for more infos.
Thank you!
April 5th, 2008Hi marketman they can buy profesional ingredients in sonlie I am 1 of the best pilipno executive pastry chef Iam planing to open a school in manila and write some books. I worked in france and usa can anyone help me to get info how much money do i need and what documents to open a french school i will bring 1 3 star michelin chef experience from france to be my partner. thanks
April 8th, 2008Hello Marketman!
May 11th, 2008I stumbled upon this site just now; this is just what i’m looking for. Great info you and the respondents post here.
I’m really interested in the pastry business. I have some questions which I hope you could help me with:
1. Which brand and type of oven would you recommend I buy that would give desirable results in baking delicate cakes? Is a convection-type, electric oven the best choice? Is Ariston good enough? How about Glem? GE ovens are very good but equally expensive.
2. I used to buy Softasilk enriched cake flour by General Millings. This used to be available in the supermarkets but have suddenly disappeared. Would you know where I could buy this brand of cake flour? If it’s not anymore available, would you know any other brand of cake flour that could deliver the same very satisfactory results in cakes?
Many many thanks.
artisan jun, sorry, I don’t bake commercially, so I wouldnn’t know what ovens are best for commercial cooking. Personally, I have a Viking 6 burner with twin ovens, that has a traditional oven and an option to make it a convection oven (by turning on an internal fan). In Manila, I use a large La Germania which is okay, but you should get a thermometer to check how hot the oven really is… For flour, they sell other brands of cake flour once in a while at Metro Grocery in market!market! but I don’t know how they would compare to softasilk. ronald, that is a very complicated question and frankly, I don’t have an easy answer. I suppose to be safe, you may want to estimate you will need several million pesos to do it right.
May 12th, 2008this store in quiapo which sells confectionary would anyone have their phone number, i REALLY need to buy sugar flowers or gumpaste ones at a reasonable price.
May 22nd, 2008for the south people! there is a place near shopwise sucat! i forgot the name its ’something’ master! they have lots of ingredients available!
May 23rd, 2008where can i find
May 30th, 2008gum taraganth?
neesha, chocolate lover’s has diff kinds of shortening.
June 2nd, 2008i have a ? though. is killion in quiapo a street or a storename? where is it located. have heard of it but never been there. any directions pls? tnx!
Hi there!
June 20th, 2008I saw your posts and was happy to read all your comments…I am currently a food supplier of imported cheeses and pastry products and that purple oven and chef’s secret are one of our top clients…I might help you with the contact details…
hello fennie!
June 22nd, 2008do you have a store? contact details pls. i might need something you can offer.
Fennie, do you offer small quantities as well or is it mostly for wholesale? I just started baking at home and I find it hard finding ingredients here in the province. I had fun in mafbex since I was able to get a lot of ingredients I needed, though I still need to find cheeses. Lol. Just in case, you can reach me through my contact page in my blog.
Also, does anyone know of some websites (and contact addresses/numbers)of baking supply shops? I’m trying to make a list in my baking blog and forum so I would have references of where to get ingredients when I need them. And have it handy in case some people bump over it looking for the same things I’m looking for. Finding ingredients can be so frustrating sometimes. Lol.
June 25th, 2008hi! do you know where i can buy the ingredients needed for making gumpaste like gum tragacanth powder, acacia gum, tylose gum? also, “petal dust” and other coloring used for making flower gumpastes. if you have any idea or some techniques on doing cake icing and decoration using gumpaste pls let me know. thanks so much.
July 22nd, 2008hi… anybody knows where to buy a peppermint extract? i need an alcohol based flavoring for fondant… any suggestions?
August 4th, 2008Hi Market!
Very useful post! I sure picked up a thing or two from here even if its a post from long ago. BTW, would you know where I can find flours (like unbleached or high gluten flour) apart from our usual all-purpose ones?
August 7th, 2008Is there a chocolate store around Cavite, particularly in Dasma? Thanks
August 12th, 2008i’ve the same dilemma as maimai16.. i am in dire need of peppermint extract.. =( any suggestions where to find it..??
August 15th, 2008Hi! I’m very thankful that I chance upon with this site when I’m searching for baking pans. The information contained in the previous post are very helpful especially the supplier’s location and contacts. Ms. fennie, where is your store located and what is your contact number/s.
Thank you very much and more power!
August 22nd, 2008is there an online website where you can purchase different baking chocolates???thanks a lot people!!!
August 29th, 2008where can i buy ready-to-use Wilton fondant colors?? THANKS!!
September 14th, 2008There’s a wilton area at the home section of Shoemart makati. They also used to carry Wilton at Gourdo’s in the Fort, and related outlets…
September 14th, 2008Hi! somebody looking for a belgian chocolate…. just call actron industries tel 8443041 loc 108.
September 17th, 2008hi. Sino po ang may alam na baking school around quezon city. Ung hndi po masyado mahal ha. thanks…
September 17th, 2008hi i was wondering where can i buy a sugar free white and dark chocolate. thanks !
September 18th, 2008hi mga sis!i want to know the exact location of chocolate lovers in cubao or somewhere in manila na malapit lng kc we wil hav fieldtrip dis coming saturday target kc namin ang chocolate lovers…tnx!
October 1st, 2008purple oven is at 63 st. peter st., oranbo, pasig city. you can buy from there or have it delivered to your place via phone 6314221
October 7th, 2008How to contact Chocolate Lover
October 9th, 2008MAIN: 45 P. Tuazon Blvd. corner C. Benitez St.Cubao Quezon, City 1109 (use Benitez St, main entrance)
Tel. nos. (632) 411-7474 / 724-5752 / 724-4964
hi.my son’s bday is getting near. a friend of mine has a chocolate fountain that i can borrow.i saw recipes on chocolate fondue.the info that i got here on where to buy the ingredients are very useful.but can i buy chocolate for the fountain that’s instant na? yung ill just melt it lang and put it on the fountain?
October 14th, 2008gladys, why don’t you check the instructions of the chocolate fountain to see what kind of chocolate it requires?
October 14th, 2008Hello, Marketman. I find your site very helpful. I was wondering if you know or if anyone here know of a store or a supplier of edible ink and wafer paper? Thank you. God Bless you.
October 16th, 2008Joica, sorry, I have never seen edible wafer paper for sale here…
October 16th, 2008where exactly is chocolate lovers in quezon avenue?
October 20th, 2008ask q lang do have school near n marikina? ung good for 6 months ung nd masyado mahal.thanx u,,
October 23rd, 2008Hi, I was wondering if you knew of any stores with a wide selection of cookie cutters. I really am planning to buy tons of designs and shapes but I am having a hard time looking for cutters (gingerbread man, christmas tree, etc). And also a store that sells different candy flowers and other ready-made candy designs for cake toppings.
October 25th, 2008If anyone is looking for an alternative nonstick silicone baking mat that’s 1/3 the price of the “popular imported” brand. You can check out Easymat at bakingtools.multiply.com
October 26th, 2008hi. we’re from cebu. we customize wedding and birthday cakes and edible cakes as favors. we also customize cake stands according to your specifications. if you want to see our samples, just log on to www.creocakes.multiply.com.
October 30th, 2008Hi! Please visit us at www.ingridsweethaven.com and www.ingridsweethaven.multiply.com for your baking needs :) Thank you very much!
November 4th, 2008i might be a child but i go to sweetcraft. you can buy anything there. i like it there coz they are complete. and because its the nearest to my house. thank you 4 sharing ur knowledge with me:)
November 4th, 2008Good Day MarketMan! I just got back from schooling in London and I’m planning on putting up a pastry shop here in our province, I was wondering if anybody knew what T45 and T55 flour is called here in the Philippines? T45 is strong flour and T55 is soft flour. With regards to gelatine, does anybody know where we can buy gelatine leaves instead of powdered gelatine (Knoxx)? And with ready-made fondant, where can we buy a really good quality of it? I heard about Satin Ice, where is the nearest distributor here in the Philippines? Hope to hear from you very soon, thank you very much!
November 7th, 2008