How best do you enjoy gelatin? In pudding form would be a common answer, though most of us Pinoys would probably go for sago’t gulaman, too. This amino acid-rich ingredient is also popular among dessert lovers, not just for coffee jelly and chocolate mousse, but also as an excellent egg substitute. In fact, some bakers have been using gelatin as a cake base, turning it into amazing works of art. One example is the five-ingredient rainbow prism cake which, not surprisingly, emerged as one of this year’s quarantine food trends.
The 3D designs maximize the gelatin’s translucent quality, encasing bouquets and aquarium, even islands in an edible bubble.
The floral gelatin cake idea may have taken inspiration from the gelatinas of Mexico, which can be found in bakeries, restaurants and street vendor carts and are often served at parties. While these desserts look too pretty to eat, they might taste a bit mild for those with a sweet tooth.
If you’re curious about this treat, you can try making it on your own—although be warned: it takes a lot of patience, practice and attention to detail to create. If you want to just take it from the pros, order one from these shops.
Gelatin at its best
Fun fact: Before she attended a workshop on gelatin cake decorating, Gelatin at its best’s owner was a florist. She also previously offered jelly art workshops and now runs this home-based business which delivers within Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.
The gelatin cakes from this home-based business are all customized. Aside from flowers, you can also request other designs such as this adorable Corgi cake and a jelly rendition of Cebu’s Sumilon Island.
Gelatina with love
Based in Southwoods, Cavite, this customized gelatin cake business offers the artistic treat in three flavors: Coffee, black tea and passionfruit with black tea. Its designs are also made with various ingredients like fresh dragon fruit, coconut cream, matcha, turmeric, and butterfly peas. Priced from P150 to P1,750, this unique dessert from Gelatina with love is available in cupcake size and three different cake sizes.
Poor chef and Kring
For P550, you can have gelatin cake in a tin can from this takeaway restaurant in Porac, Pampanga. But sorry Metro Manila peeps, they only allow pickups in their store and deliver only to selected areas in the province.
Header photos from Gelatin at its best
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Writer: YANN MAGCAMIT