Bringing eye-catching irresistibly decadent desserts with a plethora of new flavours and colours to our dessert plates, The Marmalade Pantry’s recently-launched new cakes, tarts, afternoon tea offerings and gift sets in June and July 2022 are treats for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Located at a cosy light-filled corner within the first level of BHG Bugis Junction, its newest casual outlet, The Marmalade Pantry Petite Bugis, is a lovely spot to hang out for tea and savour delectable baked goods one at a time. This was where we spent a delightful afternoon soiree enjoying a selection of choice cakes and pastries, designed to please the most discerning of tastebuds.
Elegant Treats at The Marmalade Pantry
Whole Cake Affairs
The Berriolette Shortcake($12++ per slice, $90++ for 1.5kg) is a beauty frosted with cranberry Chantilly cream, and rose buds with dainty sugared gold balls on piped cream rosettes. This vanilla sponge sandwiched with jam freshly-made from raspberries and blueberries with a touch of violet injecting zip to balance the sweetness of the shortcake, has an aftertaste of lingering floral notes which adds to its elaborate appeal.
Next: inspired ondeh ondeh cake reimagined into a sophisticated spin with a generous coat of white-golden brown curls of toasted shaved coconut. The Pandan Gula Melaka Cake ($11++ per slice, $88++ for 1.5kg) is a splendid creation framed with wavy chocolate pandan leaves, inspired by the local ondeh ondeh kueh was my favourite and looks set to becoming a classic. What is there not to love about a light pandan sponge layered with delicate Chantilly cream and just the right amount of gula melaka, with the coconut shavings lending that additional crunchy oomph?
An elevated take on the classic is a creamy, cinnamony, crumbly celebration of all things indulgent: the Salted Biscoff Cheesecake ($12++per slice, $90++ for 2kg). A sure hit with Cheesecake lovers, with a border of crumbles, salted caramel sauce and Dulcey 35% Valrhona nut couverture chocolate glazing the dense confection, its crushed Biscoff biscuit and salted caramel walnuts base has a tinge of spice and nuttiness for an amped-up version to please cheesecake fans.
Not to be missed out, two signature cakes have been given refreshed looks: the Old Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake ($12++ per slice, $90++ for 2.7kg) and The Marmalade Carrot Cake ($12++ per slice, $90++ for 2.7kg). A fudgy chocolate cake dressed in a 70% chocolate couverture glaze and piped with chocolate ganache, we found this rather sweet and dense for its intensity. The cream cheese frosted carrot cake with a generous amount of spiced carrot shreds and walnut bits was a juicy hit of contrasting textures and definitely a perennial favourite.
Cupcakes Assortment
We tried four different cupcakes ($6++ per cupcake), which was a fanfare of contrasting flavours.
The Japanese Sencha had a slightly nutty, vibrant green tea flavour which tempered its sweetness. The Cranberry Lychee cupcake had light notes of lychee with a whirl of cranberry cream cheese tang. Hazel was a perfect chocolatey cake paired with a rich hazelnut spread.
My personal favourite was Pistachio Raspberry Rose, a divine combination of a fabulously nutty pistachio cake with a refreshing raspberry rose aftertaste.
Cookies Packaged in Minimalist White Square Tins
The Gold Dust Rocky Road Cookies and Red Velvet Cookies ($8++ per 100g tin) are bite-sized tantalising treats, the former blending dark chocolate couverture with mini marshmallows and edible gold dust finishing adding that touch of glamour, while the latter was a softer, sweeter white couverture chocolate chips-and-drizzle classy offering.
Exquisite Tarts Exclusive to the Outlet
Our palette was enlivened with bursts of new flavours from a trio of tarts exclusively served at The Marmalade Pantry Petite Bugis ($8.50++ each), and topped with fresh fruits or chocolate only upon order.
The pastry is delicate yet sturdy, and the cream cheese and mascarpone cheese filling is rich but pairs wonderfully with the juicy lychees-dried flowers combination of the Lychee Tart and luscious nutty-tinged Strawberry Pistachio Tart.
Biting into the sophisticated Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart with its gold leaf accents, the piped chocolate and salted caramel ganache filling brings depth and dimension to the crust.
With textures complementing taste, most of the flavour combinations are spot on and make for a delicious tea-time affair. The new selection of cakes and artisanal candle gift sets are available for dine-in and in-store purchase respectively at ION, Downtown and Bugis outlets, or online for takeaway and delivery, while the exquisite tarts are available exclusively at the Bugis outlet.
To lounge and luxuriate in a bounty of lavish offerings where one uncovers a floral-inspired palette blooming into a symphony of tastes!
I left with a piped cream smile on my face.
Scented Candles Gifting Collection
Beyond the gourmet offerings, The Marmalade Pantry’s new line of ‘Bloom in Scents’ locally-crafted artisanal eco-friendly soy and bees wax candles, available in two fragrances: Peony & Wild Freesia and Fig & Sandalwood, are beautiful gift options with their presentation in respective pastel pink and teal concrete jars with a knitted design for a cosy feel and a sleek wooden lid. The Peony & Wild Freesia candle has a distinctive floral scent, with lingering base notes of raspberry nectar, sandalwood, and musk. The Fig & Sandalwood alternative offered a more delicately fruity scent with fresh marine notes.
The Scented Duo gift set ($80) showcases both scented candles beautifully packaged in The Marmalade Pantry’s custom-made Scarlet Red Rattan Woven bamboo handle Handbag (U.P. $38)
The Botanical Bliss gift set ($98) comprises of a choice of either candle or a Gold Moscato Tea Tin (80g) in The Marmalade Pantry’s custom-made Scarlet Red Rattan Woven Handbag.
Combination of Afternoon Tea and Gift Sets
The Scented Duo Afternoon Tea ($143) and Botanical Bliss Afternoon Tea ($158), including The Scented Duo or Botanical Bliss gift set respectively, are available only at ION and Downtown outlets or online for takeaway and delivery.
The Scented Duo Petite Afternoon Tea ($129) and Botanical Bliss Petite Afternoon Tea ($144), including The Scented Duo or Botanical Bliss gift set respectively are available only at Marmalade Pantry Petite Bugis.
Each Afternoon Tea is presented in a two-tiered stand with a trove of sweet and savouries such as Earl Grey Swiss Roll, Purple Yam Macarons, Cranberry Chicken Sandwiches, and more. The Petite Afternoon Tea showcases exclusive offerings such as Prawn Crostini and Korean Spicy Chicken Mini Burger.
The Marmalade Pantry has been around since 1999, known for serving modern bistro cuisine such as pastas, afternoon tea, signature cakes and cupcakes; and offering a repertoire of thoughtful gifting ideas over the years.
Visit The Marmalade Pantry online here.
