Sweet Somethings

Riyadhizens have a major sweet tooth. Na-ah, don’t contradict me on that because I worked in the healthcare industry, not as a medical professional but still, and I know that most of the topics discussed in Saudi Arabia is about diabetes. Everyone loves sweets and there’s nothing wrong with it as long as consumed in moderation. Right? 

I just found out right now that I’m a bit over the normal blood sugar level and I need to start keeping my sugar intake in check. How sad is that? Anyway, that being said, I am now presenting to you some sweet escapes I’ve found in Riyadh… what? I am truly contradicting myself here. Well, what I’m thinking is, if I can’t eat more sweets now, at least I get to share these foodie discoveries with you. You eat for me. ;) 

The Cake House 

My go-to bakeshop for impromptu cakes

In my six years in the Kingdom, I have developed an instinct to look and feel differently towards the cakes served to me. I find most cakes here, especially the commercial ones, too sweet and too syrupy. They lack the fluffiness of a Goldilocks cake or the creaminess of a Red Ribbon chocolate icing. I miss those in the Philippines… until I discovered the next best thing in Riyadh: The Cake House. 

Yummy cakes!

Not at all cloying

The cakes in Cake House are named and flavored after the most popular chocolates here in Saudi Arabia: Mars, Galaxy, Candy, etc. And they also have a non-chocolate variety that I love: Honey. Their icing is not too sweet (almost unsweetened, claimed my brother who’s starting to share a free space in this blog everytime I have a food/resto entry) and their cake is soft and fluffy. Another great thing about the cakes in this shop is the very affordable price. SR59 and above is not at all bad. I will eat this cake every week if it doesn’t make me a diabetic. They also make customized cakes for every occasion. You should check out their wedding cakes that have traditional white icing piping and ribbons all around. So nostalgic! 

*****

Piece of Cake 

The Piece of Cake store is cuuute!

While waiting for the prayer time to finish so we can eat in the Backyard Grill, my friend and I decided to check out what’s beyond the corner of the street (just because we’re always curious and on the move like that). That’s when we discovered a dainty store named Piece of Cake. And guess what they offer? Haha! 

Pick your theme and character.

Don't wear the gown; eat it! :P

Mini cupcakes in varius flavors

Piece of Cake is a bakeshop that specializes in customized fondant cakes. Whatever your theme is, they can do it. If they can do this huge bridal gown cake (priced at a whopping SR 7,000 btw), I doubt they cannot do anything you request them! Their take on character cakes are awesome! We tried their cupcakes and I wasn’t wowed but for a cupcake, it’s fine. 

Do not blame me if your sugar levels go up than the normal okay? I am merely suggesting. Hahaha! Have a sweet week, Riyadhizens! Keep the happiness flowing! ~ Sundrenched

The Cake House

King Abdullah Road 

(just before reaching Takhasussi Street)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

(various location; website is disabled)

*****

Piece of Cake

Abdallah Al Hamdan Street,

Sulaimania, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

(MAP)

T: +966-11-4664970

W: http://www.piece-of-cakes.com/en/

Twitter: @Piece_of_Cakes_

Riyadh's Dessert Buffet Queen

You've probably met Cielo Algaeed, one of the homemakers in Riyadh who whip up delicious desserts and pastries. We've featured her Cielo's Sweet Treats before here in the blog when she was still starting. Now, she has expanded her home baking business! She's now offering dessert packages for your parties and events!

Hey, this sweets table is familiar! Done during the 2nd Pink Tarha Mornings. ;)

You know how we love desserts right? A meal is never complete without that something sweet and tasty to cap it off. With Cielo's dessert buffet, the dessert will eventually become the appetizer or starter as well. It might even become the highlight of your event especially with the themed styling the buffet comes with. 

Lovely spread for a girl and a boy

Hindi masyadong mahilig sa Hello Kitty, hindi! Haha! Niiice!

No matter how big or small that event is, Cielo has a party package whipped up for you:

PACKAGE A

- 9" round fondant cake

- 30 pieces cupcakes with non-edible toppers

- assorted sweets (candies, lolls, mallows, wafer sticks, chocolates, and cookies)

- 12 pieces personalized water bottles

- 12 pieces popcorn (in personalized treat bags)

PACKAGE B

- 9" round fondant cake

- 30 pieces cupcakes with non-edible toppers

- 24 pieces cake pops

- 12 pieces personalized water bottles

- 12 pieces popcorn (in personalized treat bags)

- 30 pieces coconut macaroons

- assorted sweets (candies, lolls, mallows, wafer sticks, chocolates, and cookies)

PACKAGE C

- 9" round fondant cake

- 30 pieces cupcakes with non-edible toppers

- 24 pieces cake pops

- 24 pieces decorated/themed/personalized cookies

- 12 pieces personalized water bottles

- 2 pieces popcorn (in personalized treat bags)

- 30 pieces coconut macaroons

- assorted sweets (candies, lolls, mallows, wafer sticks, chocolates, and cookies)

For those who are in a budget or are throwing a small, intimate party/event, affordable party packages are available in the following Sweet Treats offerings:

1. Sweet Treats A

- 10" Kitkat Cake with personalized/themed non-edible topper

- 12 pieces cupcakes with non-edible toppers

- 12 pieces personalized water bottles

- assorted sweets (choose 3 among mallows, candies, lolls, wafer sticks, coconut macaroons)

2. Sweet Treats B

- 9" round photo cake

- 12 pieces cupcakes with non-edible toppers

- 12 pieces personalized water bottles

- assorted sweets (choose 3 among mallows, candies, lolls, wafer sticks, coconut macaroons)

Included in all the packages are the following:

1. Elegant dessert/candy buffet table styling based on theme

2. Table hire

3. Table cloth

4. Apothecary jars

5. Serving platters and cake stands

6. Cake pop stands (if applicable)

7. Tags and labels (if applicable)

Several add-ons and upgrades are also available:

- Add SR 250 to upgrade to 2-layer fondant cake (4" top layer)

- Fondant cupcake toppers (starts at SR 5 each)

- Individual cupcake boxes with ribbon (add SR 6 each)

You can also add personalized bucket/tin pails filled with candies and chocolates and personalized to-go cotton candies.

For prices and quotes, contact Cielo Algaeed at +966-55-5491229 or message her in her Facebook page. Book at least 2 weeks in advance. 50% deposit or down payment is required upon confirmation and the remaining 50% has to be paid three days before the event. 

A simple but colorful spread

Cielo's Sweet Treats is still offering its solo baked treats orders such as push pops, brownies, mini cheesecakes, and shooters. Personally, I'm a fan of her cheesecake, coconut macaroons, cream puffs, and brazo de mercedes cupcakes.

A bugged life. A sweeeet bugged life.

Make your event extra sweet with Cielo's Sweet Treats! With her party packages, you don't have to worry about much of the event anymore. Oh, and please invite us in your next event. Haha! Dessert hoarder much! ~ Sundrenched

Such Sweet Cakery

One of the secrets of The Pink Tarha ladies is having keen eyes. While passing through roads and streets in Riyadh, we need to be able to see unusual sights like new stores and restaurants that weren't there before. Or signs that suddenly sprouted out of nowhere... or uhmn, came from somewhere but took us by surprise. Such a sign is Cakery Shop in Dabab Street. I thought I was already observant but apparently, I still need more practice in this craft as it's one of our friends who noticed it first. "Hey, there's something new in Dabab! Have you seen it?" (Lucky us, our friends tell us first of their discoveries. We have informers all around! Chos. Kidding.)

Cake beckoning!

Unique displays

Welcome to Cakery!

The first word that came to my mind when Eyecandy and I stepped into Cakery Shop is charming. Every thing is so cute. I love that their store is spacious enough to wish that they incorporate more tables and chairs for ladies to enjoy desserts and chit chat. With chairs as lovely as these, who wouldn't want to wish for more?

Won't you have a tea with me?

Pastel blue and pink accents

I WANT THIS SET!!!

The shop has lovely displays of table settings and jars of candies and marshmallows. (I love marshmallows!) They also have mugs that look so dainty I can easily break one or two by merely touching them. (I didn't touch any, I swear!) 

They have a rack of imported candies which I nearly didn't notice because the cakes  took my full attention. Oh goodness, their cakes! They're not called the "Cakery" for nothing. Their huge cakes on display took my breath away. The details were exquisite and the designs were done in good taste. My respect for cakes went up notches higher. (Admittedly, the cakes are taller than me so I had to look up and, in my mind, salute the creatives who did such stunning creations.)

Roses and pearls and gems... glam!

Gosh those flowers look real!

There's one cake that caught my attention and this I had to say (promise you won't tell), I wanted to steal it from its case just because it's so simple yet so gorgeous. (The truth is, I didn't want to take it... without the cake glass holder and cover. Haha!) The light yellow layers looked like they were fluttering in a soft breeze. It's surreal, almost magical. Don't worry, I still have my values intact and I didn't try to steal it.

I love you!

Now the Rose Cakes were a different story. You know how fairy tales are more untrue now that we're older? Staring at this cake, I was transported to the castle of Snow White and Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The cakes are just the kind that princesses would eat don't you think? (Except for Sleeping Beauty... this is the cake she missed because she slept through most of the tale. :P) The endless petals  and swirling of icing that covers the entire cake is art in itself. I would love to learn how to do this!

<3

Oh-so-pink!

Which one will you choose today?

Can anything be more cuter in cake land?

The other character cakes were fun! Like Psy of the Gangnam Style phenomenon! Cool details. I can imagine you dancing with him. (Because I cannot imagine myself dancing Gangnam Style... no really, really! I can't! Don't force me, please! Haha!)

Psy looks out of place in this daintiness but he's popular! ^.^

Wooow, such skill!

Of course, no matter how wonderful the design of a cake is, it's always what it tastes like that wins us over. I took home a slice of their German Chocolate cake and a slice of Red Velvet with Nutella. The former is chock full of nuts and I'm not a fan of nuts (I must be nuts to order it then, lol... I want something different). Nevertheless, it was okay for me. The cake base was moist and the chocolate was not overpowering. It was the red velvet that got my attention and my family's attention. I only had two bites and reserved the rest for later but when I saw the box, the slice was gone. What happened?! Haha. The Nutella in between the layers of red velvet cake made it interesting. It's not overly sweet. It's indulgent.

Yummy!

Eyecandy and I ordered a few cupcakes. Actually, I ordered just one, the strawberry mint. The combination piqued my interest. Being a lover of anything + mint, I had to try it. (Disclaimer: I mishandled the cupcakes that's why the icing were ruined. We were walking in Dabab going to Burger Fuel and I didn't notice I was swaying the plastic of cupcake boxes like I was walking on sunshine!) 

Dramatizing the cupcakes whose icing I ruined. LOL.

The cupcakes look better in the store, of course.

Haven't seen enough cupcakes?

What would you have for today?

The strawberry mint was my favorite of the bunch because it has a mild strawberry flavor that reminded us of strawberry milkshake. The mint was missing in action though. E, who's not a fan of sour in her pastries, surprisingly liked the lemon flavor. The flavor was mild too. The one with the coconut also lacked the coconut flavor. It just has a few tiny coconut shavings and that's it. All in all, the cake base of these cupcakes is the reason why they're delicious. They're just the right kind of moist and not too sweet. Never mind some of the flavors because honestly, we couldn't find it in there (hello mint, hello coconut!). 

Cakery also offers breads, tarts, cake pops, cookies, and jams.

Layers of sweetness

From cakes to tarts to cake pops.

Cheesecakes, mousse, and cake pops

Every thing looks delectable!

Jam with some jams!

So, looking for the next cake place? If this entry wouldn't encourage you to visit it, I don't know what will. I used all the adjectives I could muster, people! Haha! And all the beautiful photos I took are here! Haha! Seriously, I would pass by Cakery Shop again... even if just to stare and marvel at their many tiered cakes! Have a lovely day! ~ Sundrenched

Cakery Shop

Dabab Street, Suleimania

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-4650005

W: http://cakery-shop.com

E: info@cakeryshop.com

FB: www.facebook.com/cakeryshop

Twitter: @cakeryshop

Hello Helen's!

IF YOU HAVEN'T noticed by now, it has become The Pink Tarha's mission to try out every cupcake place there is in Riyadh. And in the last six months, more and more shops have sprouted all over the city that we must catch up! 

S and I were cruising along Orouba Road one night as we were actually headed to Tokyo Restaurant to get some dinner. While we were waiting for that traffic-inducing U-turn at the end of the Orouba Road, we noticed this pretty and preppy window display of sweet treats on our right, with a faux garden complete with a white picket fence. Intrigued, we read the sign above it that read, "Helen's."

Now once something piques our interest, there's no turning back. So we decided that we would cross over there after our Tokyo dinner and see what's there to see. I'm very happy we did. :)

Helen's is a bakery that caters to (you guessed it right) cupcakes, cakes and pies. According to the manager on duty, the owner is an American lady who resides in Jeddah and initially set up her business there. This branch in Orouba Road opened only four months ago.

Entering Helen's is like entering a doll house. -- that's not quite finished yet. Its dainty interiors and cutesy color palette makes you feel almost Laduree-ish, but while the walls and shelves are well-decorated, the floor space is still a bit bare in the middle and it would appear that there should be some seating installed there.

It's a girl thing.

A feel-good, feel-pretty-and-posh corner.

So what else did we find inside? Cupcakes and cakes and pies of course! They all looked inviting and we definitely took home some of them to try. Though I would have to comment on the name tags displayed behind their display case...it's a little too Microsoft Word Art for me. Considering the posh ambience of the place, maybe they can design better name tags for the cupcakes and cakes that's more of say, 2010 and above? I mean, I really like their company logo design already...it's a pretty font of European flair followed by a darling calligraphy of the name in Arabic underneath (I'm into this details because I work as a Desktop Publisher). Looking at the name tags just kind of bummed me out a bit. But that's just me. ANYWAY, this is about their cakes, cupcakes and pies and what they taste like. So let's carry on...

From Top to Bottom: Carrot | Red Velvet | Chocolate @ 7SR each

Mini Lemon Loaf 12SR and Mini Banana Loaf 15SR

From Top to Bottom: Pina Colada, some kind of Choco Cup and Oreo cupcakes 7SR each

Red Velvet and Carrot Cake, 15SR per slice

Oreo cheesecake 15 SR per slice

One whole Carrot Cake for 170SR.

Strawberry Cheesecake, 15SR per slice

I bought a piece of the Mini Lemon Loaf, a Pina Colada cupcake and mini-versions of their Carrot and Chocolate cupcakes which they were giving away for free taste tests. S bought their Trio Milk Cake (sorry not pictured) and a slice of Red Velvet cake. 

Their very purrrty packaging. And the logo design I was telling you about.

M'keeps. 

Now let's proceed to the tasting. S said that she enjoyed the sweetness of the Trio Milk Cake (15 SR) and that while it may come across as overly sweet, with the right cup of coffee, it can be perfection. Trio Milk Cake, by the way, is pretty much like bread pudding with cinnamon powder on top. We would definitely recommend that. As for the Red Velvet cake, she wasn't really over the moon for it. It was okay. You'd have to pardon us on this account because S and I didn't realize that we would write an article about it until I was blown away by own purchases.

Mini Lemon Loaf -- Tangy and will make you say 'Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!'

What I liked: The moist texture. The tangy twang about it in every bite. The bread alone is a great balance of sour and sweet. I, for one, am not fond of the sour, and S was even surprised that I purchased this. But ever since I purchased those Calamansi Muffins from Cafe Real in Boracay late last year, I've been bent to tasting more lemon-y flavored pastry especially if downed with a cup of tea. :)

What I didn't like: The frosting was too sour for me. Again, that can be just me not being an entire fan of sour-tasting food. But without it, I will definitely eat as many mini lemon loafs as I can. 

Chocolate and Carrot Mini Cupcakes (for taste tests only)

What I take from both these cupcakes was that they were dry on the inside. Now it could be that they weren't fresh anymore when we got a hold of them, maybe I should try ones that are right off the oven. But apart from that, I think the chocolate flavor has a different kind of chocolate-ness about it. The carrot cake would be a fair choice but nothing to special for me and S, especially since we like our carrot cake with cream cheese rather than sweet frosting.

Saving the best for last!

And last but not the least, I present, THE PINA COLADAAAA! Totally, totally unique...I have yet to taste a pineapple flavored cupcake until that day. And it. is. so. good! Cake-wise, the inside was moist enough but not crumbly, with teeny bits of pineapple here and there. The balance of the flavors are right on cue on this one. And definitely a must-order! Three out of three people who I shared it with said "Wow!" and "Yummy!" and asked, "Where did you buy this?" 'Nuff said I guess. ;)

While Helen's may be a bit more pricey than the other cupcake places that we know of, for that Pina Colada, I will buy it. For that Trio Milk Cake, we'll take it! Besides, that's why you call it a treat right? Because it won't be everyday that you'll indulge on cupcakes, right? (Riggghhhhtttt? :D) 

Anyway, you can find Helen's just right across Tokyo Restaurant in Orouba Road (after the Panda Supermarket). If you have an eye for the pink and pretty, you surely won't miss it. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and on their website: http://www.helens-kitchen.com/

For advanced orders, you may call them at +966-1-416-9734.

Until our next cupcake hunt! 

Cheers!

Eyecandy