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8 Vegan Desserts in Manila for Health-Conscious Eaters
Feast on your favorite healthy sweets, but with a vegan desserts twist!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | July 07, 2020
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A good meal is not complete without a sweet ending. May it be to wash the taste off your palate after a heavy meal, or to complement something sweet with a warm coffee while talking about a bitter heartbreak with friends, desserts just make everything better.
But instead of reaching for another decadent, sugar-filled slice of your favorite cake, why not turn to healthier ones? Vegan desserts are gaining popularity quickly, and they’re not just for strict vegans, but also for those whose goal is to be fitter and healthier, as most vegan desserts use natural ingredients with many nutritional benefits. Such strict regimens might seem too limited, but the benefits, which include reduced risk of mortality from high-risk health conditions, clearer skin, and better headspace, are enough for vegans to carry on with the commitment. They get to help the environment and produce less waste too while they’re at it.
1. Chocolate Cake by Corner Tree Café
Where: 150 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati City
A slice of chocolate cake is not always a bad idea at Corner Tree Café
Image: @irawanjohan
A favorite among residents of Makati, Corner Tree Café has been a haven for vegans since 2009. Corner Tree Café became known for its homey vibe and vegan meals that even non-practicing fellows have grown to love. The café features a broad menu with influences from the cultures in Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle East and the Americas.
For those craving for a slice of chocolate cake, Corner Tree Café’s vegan version is a great substitute. Its Chocolate Cake, which goes for PhP195 per slice, is gluten-free and uses natural sweeteners like extracts from sugar beets to make the dessert sweet as the regular ones but with less sugar.
2. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie by Pipino Vegetarian
Where: 39 Malingap Teacher's Village, Quezon City
There’s a guiltless version of your favorite chocolate chip cookie at Pipino Vegetarian.
Image: Pipino Vegetarian Facebook
If you’re craving for Filipino favorite meals like pochero or sizzling sisig, Pipino Vegetarian has the healthier alternative for them. Pipino Vegetarian is a vegan restaurant that uses locally-grown fruits and vegetables and turns them into the classic Filipino favorite meals that we know and love.
But aside from savory dishes, Pipino Vegetarian’s dessert menu is also full of delectable sweets that are on the healthier side. Its Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, which sells at PhP45 each or PhP165 by the dozen, are made with whole wheat flour, local tablea, and muscovado sugar, making it the healthier, guiltless version of your favorite snack.
3. Brookies by Earth Desserts
Where: Manna PH, Pinnacle Plaza, Marcos Highway, Cavite
Real Food, Molito Lifestyle Center, Muntinlupa
Ultra Super Green, Elizabeth Hall, Katipunan QC
The Vegan Grocer, 201 Recto St. Brgy Addition Hills, San Juan
Order online or through (0917) 855 2748
Earth Desserts’ Brookies are a great snack for those allergic to eggs.
Image: Earth Desserts Facebook
Vegan desserts are not only available in restaurants; you can also find them in Earth Desserts, a home-based shop that sells vegan goodies. Aside from going to its partner stores, you can also order directly at its Marketa website if you want a stock of some healthy sweets in your pantry. The owner is also a nutritionist so you’re assured that the ingredients are well thought of and definitely guilt-free!
One of the desserts you can try is its Brookies, which are sold at PhP180. The dessert is in the shape of a cookie but has the chewy consistency of a brownie, hence the name. Also, they don’t have any butter or egg in them, which is perfect for those who are watching their calorie intake or are allergic to eggs.
4. Malunggay Cupcake by Delicielo
Order online or through 0995 460 1543
Who knew cupcakes can be healthier too?
Image: Delicielo Facebook
Another dessert shop dedicated to serving vegan-only sweets is Delicielo. They make everything from cupcakes, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and even cakes perfect for parties. But despite the range of sweets, rest assured that their products are free of any egg and dairy and that they don’t use refined sugar as well.
For those who are looking for a different twist on their cupcakes, you can try Delicielo’s Malunggay Cupcake at PhP75 per piece. As with all their desserts, the cupcake doesn’t have any egg, dairy, or refined sugar, and it is topped with chocolate buttercream frosting and a dark chocolate coin for a sweet kick. Aside from being a yummy dessert, it’s also perfect for lactating mothers to help with milk production.
5. Mana Balls by Mana Bites
Order online or call 9757430
Mana Bites serves ‘raw’ sweets to keep their ingredients’ full nutrition.
Image: Mana Bites Facebook
Mana Bites may look like your typical dessert shop, but aside from creating vegan sweets they also serve their products “raw,” which means that they do not bake their products to keep the nutrients of their all-natural ingredients. Mana Bites also aims to use as little waste as possible, so expect their products in simple packaging.
One of the unique treats you can try at Mana Bites is their sugar-free and paleo-friendly Mana Balls at a starting price of PhP80. It comes in various flavors, each boasting its own nutritional benefits. One of the flavors is Tahini Bikini which promises to curb your appetite after snacking.
6. Cacao That Cares by SUSI
Susi’s version of chocolate fudge is as vegan as it can be.
Image: Susi Facebook
Susi joins the growing list of restaurants in the country that aims to serve vegan dishes that are pleasing to both the palate and the eyes. Its diverse menu is meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free as well. In short, it ticked all the boxes to make sure that everything served is strictly vegan.
As for its desserts, its Cacao That Cares (PhP315) is a great replacement for your usual chocolate and peanut butter combo. The dessert is made with poached pears, glazed dark chocolate-pear tart, homemade peanut butter, and gluten-free salted pretzel.
7. Pancakes by the Kismet Café and Wellness Market
Where Street Level, MBA Building, 5022 P. Burgos St cor Kalayaan Ave (entrance on Kalayaan) Makati
Pancakes just got healthier at The Kismet Café and Wellness Market.
Image: The Kismet Café and Wellness Market Facebook
If you’re a morning person and want to start the day with a healthy breakfast, The Kismet Café and Wellness Market in Makati can be your next favorite morning spot. The California-inspired café opens as early as 6:00 AM and not only serves vegan dishes but also offers natural products that you can use at home for cooking and personal care.
One of the most popular items on their menu is their vegan pancakes, which you can order forPhP195. The pancakes are huge and fluffy and come in three flavors: Peanut Butter Banana, Chocolate Chips, and Jalapeno con Queso. You can also pair it with their wide selection of organic coffee that is sourced locally.
8. Gourmet Donuts by Green Bar
A still deep-fried but a better alternative to regular donuts can be found at the Green Bar.
Image: Green Bar FB
For donut lovers, there’s also a vegan version of your favorite dessert. Green Bar is a vegan restaurant that serves a huge array of dishes that even meat-lovers are familiar with, but their donuts are what they are most known for.
After hundreds of trial and error, Green Bar was able to create a healthier version of donuts minus the dairy product and eggs. Its gourmet donuts come in holed (PhP75 each) and filled (Php80 each) versions. There is a variety of flavors that you can choose from, including Strawberry with Pistachio, Almond Joy, and Blueberry Coconut, among others.
Make sure to visit Yoorekka to learn and find out more about the best vegan desserts in Manila..
Desserts don’t always have to make you feel guilty. Let us know in the comments section which of these vegan sweets and snacks you are going to try first!
* Prices may change without notice.
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on February 16, 2018.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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