Cottage Cheese Tiramisu.We’re already in the thick of the Christmas season. Preparations are becoming frenzied, and arrangements for Noche Buena have mostly been made. 

If you have not gotten down to the details of your own celebration, now is the time to do so to avoid nerve-wracking last-minute preparations — especially if you want to enjoy the festivities and not be burdened by the hassle of it all — whether it be for the meal itself or for the edible giveaways that you plan to have everyone take home after the party.

If you are still on the lookout for some suggestions…  

All-Pinoy Tiramisu

Tiramisu, the Italian sponge cake, has been a favorite among Pinoy dessert lovers for years now, but it recently became a hot trend once again, and so many bakeshops and pastry chefs presented their own takes on the coffee-flavored cake. 

One of the standouts happens to be pastry Paul Zamora’s Cottage Cheese Tiramisu (P780) under his brand name Lulu’s. A flight steward by day, this pastry chef makes good business with his mom’s Apple Pie recipe, but he has since developed other products, the newest of which is his Cottage Cheese Tiramisu, which has layers of ladyfingers infused with coffee liqueur between creamy cottage cheese-mascarpone blend filling and a dusting of rich cocoa on top. It is not too sweet, not too strong, but just right and best enjoyed frozen or chilled for 24 hours to allow flavors to fully develop. 

Lulu’s has another tiramisu variant called Biscoff Tiramisu (P800). It has the same creamy filling layered with Biscoff biscuits for a nutty twist. 

Each tiramisu is good for 2, and non-alcoholic and caffeine-free versions are available at the same price upon request. Two days’ lead time for orders is requested for a minimum order of three.

Christmas collection

Every year, Masa Madre comes up with a Christmas collection, and this year’s includes six festive and indulgent items so aptly named Bibingka, Cassava, Food for the Gods, Black Forest, Ham & Quezo, and Biscoff Topping & Cookie.

Bibingka is a festive twist on a classic, with buttery croissant layers filled with smoky coconut custard and salted egg buttercream, then topped with torched cheese for that signature bibingka flavor.

Cassava is a flaky, buttery croissant filled with soft cassava and melty cheese, which create a comforting blend of creamy, chewy and crispy textures.

A piece of Food for the Gods is nestled in the buttery croissant and topped with a sweet crusted macaron.

Same with Black Forest, which is tucked inside every Signature Noel Box to make Christmas extra merry and chocolatey.

Ham & Quezo wraps the classic Christmas flavors in a croissant.

Biscoff Topping & Cookie is a flaky croissant filled with white chocolate Biscoff ganache and topped with a Biscoff cookie. 

The Christmas Collection is available at the Masa Madre Café at the Cocolight Bldg., 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. 

Holiday packages

Ted’s Kitchen is happily busy attending to orders for Christmas. Among the cheerful holiday packages available, says Chef Gel Salonga-Datu, are these three best-selling sets:

Umagahang Klasiko (P560) - It offers a taste of home to start your day right, giving you a choice of Bottled Bangus Salpicao, Tapang Kalabaw or Bottled Longganisa, paired with homemade atchara. Made from fresh, local ingredients. Simple, nostalgic and proudly Filipino, it is great for breakfast.

Kesong Puti in Olive Oil in a 4oz. bottle with a pack of Melba Toast (P280 for 1 jar, P420 for 2 jars). It is creamy Kesong Puti preserved in olive oil and infused with herbs and aromatics. 

Longganisa Pasta Set (P520) in a Santa Cruz or Picante 8oz. bottle. It honors the Salongas’ family tradition of making their own longganisa at home to ensure only fresh ingredients are used. Each set includes two jars of their signature Longganisa and a box of organic mushroom pasta.