MACARON INFUSED WITH PINOY FLAVORS—INCLUDING ‘KARE-KARE’

Classic Christmastime Filipino dishes have been recreated into decadent macaron for the holiday collection of Jane Dough Desserts.

Dubbed “Home for Christmas,” the Paskong Pinoy-inspired series features flavors such as Bibingka Special, Sans Rival, Ultimate Champorado, Ube Puto Bumbong, Spiced Chocolate and Dessert Kare-Kare.

“When people think of macaron, it’s usually western flavors like pistachio, raspberry and vanilla,” budding pastry chef Allyza Cepeda, a culinary arts alumna from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, explained. “It’s my vision as a Filipina creator to breathe new life into Filipino flavors without disrespecting their history and identity.”

The selection features a fusion of sweet, salty and savory. The Ultimate Champorado has crispy pinipig (rice crispies), milk powder and golden dilis (anchovies) complementing the delightful cocoa and rice ganache filling. The Dessert Kare-Kare is a mouthwatering clash of homemade peanut* toasted rice ganache, and bagoong alamang (shrimp paste).

Both covered with toasted coconut, her take on the alltime favorite Bibingka Special and Ube Puto Bumbong give off the irresistible aroma of freshly made kakanin (rice cake). Bibingka Special has salted egg and cheese amid the coconut-rice ganache spread, while the Ube Puto Bumbong comes with ube (purple yam) and pirurutong rice ganache made from the traditional purple rice from Ifugao.

This series reminded her of times she worked abroad during the holidays.

“This collection sums up what it feels like coming home to our families on Christmas Eve,” Cepeda said.