I want to do a makeover of my site, I plan to rearrange it and remove the clutter.
I'll classify the photos according to type: cakes, doll cakes, cupcakes, chocolates, cookies, loaves, brownies, cheesecakes etc. so you'll see know where to look because the goodies wil be categorized and placed in thier respective folders.
What do you think? Will this be helpful to you, my viewers, or do you prefer the random arrangement now? Thanks thanks! :)

*************************************************************************************************************

Two days after posting the message above, I rearranged my site according to variant: COOKIES, CAKE, DOLL CAKE, BUNDT CAKE, LOAVES, BROWNIES & BARS, CUPCAKES, BABY CUPCAKES, MACAROONS CHOCOLATES, BREADS.

It's not as "organized" as I want it to be butt it sure looks better and less confusing than before. I'm pplanning to arrange them into albums, add links as you suggested but I don't know how to do it :(

Also, as I've said, some of my goodies don't have photographs, please check the product list (temp and incomplete) for my line of goodies. Thanks again!

Due to insistent public (and personal) demand, the Andes mint chocolate cookies are back! Again, my sister saved the day by finding a store selling these candies. If you remember, I even posted a review on possible substitutes, but found no suitable ones.

My dear sister gave me 4 packs to jumpstart my mint-baking madness and I'm now accepting orders for next week! You may place your orders now!

http://secretbakeshop.multiply.com/photos/album/37/Chocolate_Andes_Mint_Chip_Cookies_NOW_AVAILABLE

When I started my online bakeshop, it only had a few photographs of the products I was making. But as I added more photos, people began to visit my site. It made me realize one thing, an aspect that I've been taking for granted: posting good looking photographs.

I love eating out and when I go to a restaurant, I always look at the food photograps on the walls or on the menu. Some look good, some make me want to order, and some just look unnatural :( If a food photo looks too good to be true, I feel like it's a camera trick. But then, I wouldn't really know what a camera trick or how it is done until last Saturday when I had a photo session with my friend.

As I've said in the Welcome Statement of this site, I take photos using my Sony Ericsson camera phone. I take rush photos usually after baking, before I deliver the goods to my client. It's ironic to think that when I was kitchen-testing the recipes and I had more time to create a better set-up and reach for my better phone, I forgot to take photos. Kitchen-testing mode meant for me, eating ASAP, no interruptions and no photo-taking sessions. I was wrong.

I always believed whatever flaws the photos I took had were caused by an inadequate camera. Blame it on the phone! but after a photo session with a friend who's into food photography (and good at it too), I realized my mistakes.

For the session, she took photos of some of my products. The photos I took paled in comparison, this is an understatement of course! In her photos, goodies looked good and really appetizing while in my photos, they were discolored and flat. She "introduced" me to my camera, showed me modes that I didn't know existed in my phone. Now I feel like I have a new phone too!

I've posted the photos she toook along with the old photos of the product. You can clearly see the difference. I enjoyed the shoot and the eating of the goodies part that happened afterwards. Unlike other photographers who use weird additives to make the food look good, albiet inedible, my friend used nothing but a toothpick and her camera to make my baked products look good.

My friend also posted some tips on her site. I guess I'll be reading that page often, but I'm not sure if I can do what it says. After all, I am below amateur when it comes to photography. I only know how to appreciate good photographs, not to make them. But I plan to learn, one of these days.

I apologize for the years I have tortured your eyes with the blurred, discolored photographs resembling the goodies I bake. As I've said, the goodies look better "in person" I'll try to post better-looking photos from now on, but please bear with me, I still have to learn a lot more :)

I love Andes Mint Chocolate - Creme de Menthe Thins, I even use it on some of my products (cookies and cupcakes), stir it into warm milk, etc. but the scarce and unreliable supply at the supermarket has forced me to look for alternatives.  People have been asking when the Mint Chocolate Cookies and Minted Cupcakes will be available again but I can't give a definite answer until I find a reliable substitute. And after finding a reliable substitute, I still have to tweak the my recipe using Andes to adapt it to the alternative. This is a long process and something I'm not really excited to make, despite the fact that I personally, need my Chocolate Mint fix because I'm loyal to Andes.

But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. At the suggestion of Cate, one of my favorite clients, I checked out the Mrs. Fields Peppermint Creme Sticks, Ghirardelli Intense Dark 60% Mint Bliss and the local Goya Dark Chocolate with Mint.

The first one I tried was, of course, the Ghirardelli Mint Bliss 60% Cacao. I use Ghirardelli in some of my products so my expectations of this chocolate was high. I was thinking I could chop it up just what I do with Andes, and mix it with the chocolate batter and get rave results. But I was disappointed. If you're looking for chocolate with a hint of mint, this is the one for you. But if you're a mint lover and used to the taste of Andes, chocolaty but not overpowering the mint, this is not the best alternative. Hubby who doesn't like mint but loves dark chocolate loved this.

Next I tried was the Mrs. Fields Peppermint Creme Sticks. Mint cream shaped into sticks and dipped in chocolate, just like pretzel sticks with the mint as base instead of cookies. It tasted more minty than the Ghirardelli but not chocolaty enough. It was chewy, gooey and if I mixed it with batter, it would probably melt and I would have burnt candy instead of a cookie or a cupcake :(

The last I tried was Goya Mint Dark Chocolate. It was minty alright, but not chocolaty. The ingredients listed were sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil ( which means it's TRANSFAT, a type of fat that's a no-no in our home), cocoa powder, milk fat, artificial and natural flavors, iodized salt and vanillin.

Real chocolates would have ingredients such as cocoa mass and cocoa butter, Goya had none of these, thus the not really chocolaty taste. It was even grainy. I secretly wanted this chocolate to win since it's Filipino-made (although it's manufactured under license from Delfi of Switzerland), and it's a lot cheaper too; but I think this is not suitable for baking.

So I'm back to chocolate square one. It's still Andes or nothing unless I make my own mint chocolate which I guess isn't too far-fetched an idea considering that I get a PM about the mint chocolate cookie everyday! :)

A friend is selling her foodcart for P30k NEGOTIABLE . This one has its own electricity meter. The photo is the backview of the cart. Buyer may change locks and place tarpaulin or banner/signage in front.

If you're interested, please contact Joy at 09267131926

Thanks!

I keep getting asked if ship my products to regions (provinces), I've always said no. Then I realized that I've already beem doing it for years! I've been shipping my fruitcakes, loaf cakes, macaroons, brownies and chocolate products to provinces in the North (Luzon) by special arrangement, by special paabot as I have friends and a handful of family members staying there.

So if you're from the North and are craving for these goodies, send me a PM and I'll see what I can do, I may just have someone who can help bring the goodies to you. ")

I love mint. I have it in my tea, my gum, and my chocolate.
I specially love it in cookies and brownies.

Last year, I spied some packs of Andes mint chocolate at the grocery and bought some ( a lot actually). I made cookies with it and it was a hit! I sold more mint cookies than the regular chocolate chip during the holiday season. The holiday season is over, a lot of people are still asking for the cookies, but I can't find them anywhere anymore. I've been to all the groceries in my area but still no mint :(

Do you have an idea where I can get mint chips or even patties at this time of the year or do I have to wait until the next holiday season? Andes is best but Hershey's mint chips will do :)

I just came back from a wonderful trip and what greets me is this: my site getting tampered with again! I don't know what to do anymore... I can't access the "Customize my site" part and strange photos are showing up instead of the phos I uploaded. I don't know if you cvan see this changes, when I view my site from my sister's site, it seems okay. It's happened before and I thought I got it all figured out buet here it comes again! Has this happened to you? Help please!

When we make a purchase, we want to get our money's worth, which is only fair.
But at the Secret bakeshop, you not only get what you deserve, you get more!!!
Freebies galore for every purchase worth P300,
and if you're lucky, even when you buy less than that amount

Just imagine having a free sampler with every purchase, so even if you buy just the minimum
two items of a single variant, you get to try the other products too. Ask anyone who's ordered from the Secret Bakeshop and you'll know what I mean!

So what are you waiting for, order now! :)

Happy Easter!

The good news has arrived! You can now have a taste of the Secret Bakeshop's products hassle-free, delivered straight to your doorstep.  Secret Bakeshop is now shipping products (the not so delicate ones) within METRO MANILA. Order lead time is three days, minimum of two variants per item. I'll ship your orders on the third day, on the fourth day you can already enjoy the goodies :)

You may place your orders now!

NOTE: PLEASE DEPOSIT PAYMENT TO MY BPI/BDO ACCOUNT
ON THE DAY BEFORE THE SHIPMENT DATE :)
ex. If the delivery date is on Friday, the shipping date is Thursday, you should deposit payment on Wednesday. Cut off-time is morning of actual shipping day.

After deposit, please text me the transaction no/bank details. I am a very trusting person, I do hope all of you are worthy of my trust.

for every 1.0K	P80
1.5K	P85
2.0K	P90
2.5K	P95
3.0K	P100

Shippable items:
*COOKIES
*BROWNIES
*BUNDT CAKES
*LOAF CAKES
*CHOCOLATES
*PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
*OLD FASHIONED MACAROONS (BUTTER COCONUT CUPS)
*GRANOLA

** Products with frostings (cupcakes, cakes) are not shippable :(

I only book with a courier and bake after the deposit to ensure freshness
and quality of the product.

NO DEPOSIT, NO SHIPMENTS :)
 THANKS!

1. Select the items you want to order.

2. Send me a PM or text me at 09209115072 for inquiry/meet-up details. Please indicate your name (full name, no aliasesd please) and Multiply address, contact nos.- landline and cellphone please, home address for delivery/shipping)

3. Finalize your orders. PLACE YOU ORDERS AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE DATE OF MEET-UP. This is to ensure that I have all the ingredients needed, though your orders are baked on the day of the delivery.

4. Payment is Cash on Delivery. For bulk/big transactions, I require 50% downpayment deposited in my BPI account as soon as orders are finalized, at least a day before the meet-up date.

* Meet-up areas are UP Diliman, Daily Supermarket in Proj4, Ali Mall, Shopwise Cubao, Petron in Nangka, Katipunan, Sikatuna, Kamuning & Proj 2 & 3.

I removed this post a few days ago because I'm going to post a new, updated one. But while I'm in the process of testing and tasting the new items I get so many queries re the products, I decided to post it again,  albiet temporarily. Please note that in a few weeks, most the items here will not be available anymore and will be changed with a new one. Thanks for patronizing my products

COOKIES

1. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies/Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2. Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Butter Coconut Cups

4. Chocolate Rum Balls

5. Russian Tea Cookies

6. Viennese Coffee Balls

7. Chocolate Chip Balls

8. Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls

9. Mocha Walnut Moments

10. Peanut Cookies

11. Fruitcake Cookies

12. Chocolate Chip Wedges

CHOCOLATES***

1. Chocolate Truffles

2. Rocky Road Cups

3. Cookies & Cream Cups

4. Rice Crispies Cups

5. Chocolate Lollipops (Assorted shapes/ Prices depend on weight)

*** minimum of 2 boxes per  variant

 

BUNDT CAKES

1. Golden Lemon Crown

2. Chocolate Rum Cake

3. Apple Walnut Cake

4. Classic Chocolate Cake

5. Poppyseed Cake

LOAVES

1. Banana Walnut Bread

2. Lemon Poppyseed Loaf

3. Double Chocolate Chip Loaf

4. Carrot Loaf

5. Ultimate Butter Loaf

6. Walnut Loaf

7. Raisin Praline Loaf

8. Poppyseed Loaf

9. Olive Oil - Raisin

10. Festive Fruitcake (seasonal)

11. Glazed Vanilla Loaf

12. Glazed Orange Loaf

*** minimum of two per variantS ordered

 

CHEESECAKES

1. Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

2. Blueberry Cheesecake

3. Strawberry Cheesecake

4. Chocolate Cheesecake

5. Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

6. Black & White Cheesecake

7. Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

8. Mocha Mousse Cheesecake

9. Cafe Au Lait Cheesecake

10. Capuccino Cheesecake

 

CUPCAKES

1. Classic Buttercups with Buttercream Frosting (Vanilla/ lemon/ chocolate) 2. Double Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing (Vanilla/chocolate)

*** we accept orders for personalized cupcakes, price depends on design and quantity (minimum of 25 pieces)


BROWNIES & BARS***

1. Fudgy Walnut Brownies

2. Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Bars

3. Double Rich Chocolate Brownies

4. Cashew Brownies

5. Brownies Espresso

6. Chocolate Walnut Caramel Bars

7. Marshmallow Fudge Brownies

8. Lemon Bars

9. Marbled Brownies

10. Pili-Butterscotch Bars (seasonal)

11.Date Walnut Bars

12. Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

13. Latte Cheesecake Bars

14. Caramel Surprise Brownies

15. Strawberry Crumb Bars

*** minimum of 2 items per variant

CAKES

1. Everybody's Favorite Chocolate Cake w/ Fudge Icing

2. Chocolate Fudge Cake

3. Mama Bear's Chocolate Cake

4. Chocolate Truffle Cake

 

5. Choco-Chip Butterscotch Cake

6. Butter Cake w/ Buttercream Icing (lemon/vanilla /chocolate)

7. Better Butter Cake w/ Marshmallow Icing

8. Lemon Chiffon Cake w/ White Frosting

9. Mocha Cake w/ Mocha Butter Icing

10. Caramel Upside-down Apple Cake

11. Carrot Cake w/ Cream Cheese Icing

12. Honey Orange Cake

13. Chocolate Dream Cake

14.Cheesy Cassava Custard Cake

 

For orders, call or text:

09209115072

All products are 100% fresh & natural, homemade  baked to order on day of delivery

Please place your orders at least 3  days in advance

We accept advance orders as early as a month ahead

WE ACCEPT ORDERS FOR PERSONALIZED CAKES (OR ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS) FOR ANY OCCASION. SPECIAL RATES FOR BULK ORDERS

MEET-UPS/COD PREFERRED

minimum of 2 items per variant

Meet-ups/Free delivery within: UP, Sikatuna, Teacher's Village, Katipunan Proj. 2-3 & 4 and Cubao area for a minimum order of P500

Cab fare or 10% of total bill for other areas

 

I think someone's tampering with my site, changing the photos and settings. Help!

To help you decide on what to order, here's a random list of our bestsellers:

Buttercup Cakes
Banana Walnut Loaf
Doll Cake
Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Bar
Everybody's Favorite Chocolate Cake
Fudgy Walnut Brownies
Lemon Poppyseed Loaf
Oatmeal Raisin cookies
Oatmeal & ChocolateChip Cookies
Chocolate Truffles
Butter Coconut Cups (macaroons)
Double Chocolate Chip Loaf
Golden Lemon Crown

* Make more slices out of your cake by cutting at least 1" hole in the center (like making a large donut) of the cake.

* For best results, consume baked goodies within three days of ppurchase. Some are best eaten on the day it is bought. Exception: Fruitcakes :-)

* You can freeze cookies up to four weeks; some clients even ask that I place their cookies inside Glad Freezer bags instead of the regular canisters. Please be assured though, that all of our products are always freshly made.

1. Chocolate Truffles P95/box of 12

2. Rocky Road Cups P43/box of 6

3. Cookies & Cream Cups P43/box of 6

4. Rice Crispies Cups P43/box of6

5. Chocolate Lollipops (Assorted shapes/ Prices depend on weight)

*** minimum of 2 boxes per variant

1. Classic Vanilla/Lemon/ Brown Sugar Buttercups

-w/ lots of sprinkles/mini marshmallows P510

-w/ Buttercream Frosting (Vanilla/ lemon/ chocolate/mocha or P495/25 pcs)/

- w/ Fudge Frosting P495/25 pcs./

- w/ Ganache Frosting P500/25 pcs.

2. Double Chocolate Cupcakes

- w/ Buttercream Icing (Vanilla/chocolate/mocha) P560/25 pcs.

- w/ Ganache Icing (P575/25pcs)

- w/ Fudge Frosting (P565/25)

- w/ lots of sprinkles/mini marshmallows P575/25 pcs.

3. Personalized Cupcakes

- Price depends on cupcake flavor and design, minimum of 25 pieces. Usually, additional P2 for ea buttercream design or P5 and above for chocolate topper (depending on size and design).

*Talking Cupcakes (Price depends on design/cupcakes of choice)

4. Baby Cupcakes

- w/ lotsa sprinkles/marshmallows (vanilla P375/30, chocolate P385)

- w/ Buttercream (vanilla P355/30, chocolate, P365)

- w/ Ganache (vanilla P360, chocolate P370)

- baby garden w/flower sprinkles P360/30

- Personalized/Themed baby cupcakes - price depends on design and flavor (minimum of 30 pieces). Usually, additional 1.5 per buttercream design or P3 above for chocolate topper.

5. Cupcakes with tags & flags

-Price of cupcakes (either personalized or classic flavor) of choice plus P3/tag, minimum of 25 pieces

6. Carrot Cupcakes w/ Cream cheese frosting P750/25

7. Orange Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese frosting P650/25

*** Individual packaging for cupcakes P6-P9 each, depending on the design

***  I have cupcake stands with capacity of 25-100++ cupcakes available for rent, I can also create one for you as a keepsake :)