Best Cakes in Singapore 2016

As well as doling out popular weekday lunch sets and brewing coffee from Drury Lane to the hungry lunchtime crowds in Jurong, this spacious cafeteria has an unassuming array of cakes from In the Brickyard that you shouldn't miss out on. A sure winner here is the Ondeh Ondeh ($38 for whole cake, $5.50 a slice) — pandan infused sponge cake with a smooth, creamy gula Melaka frosting. They're not kidding when they say it is the "softest pillowy sponge" — it's so dangerously addictive that you are likely to be gobbling up forkfuls until it's all gone. They also offer some pretty tasty sliced cakes like the crowd pleasing Thai Milk Tea Cake ($5.50 a slice).
*Whole cakes have to be ordered four days in advance
Photo by Burppler Muriel A

Apart from their sparkly drinks, Unicorn Tears and Gold Brew ($10 each), Dapper Coffee also serves uniquely flavoured cakes baked by Project Atrios that may raise eyebrows, but in a good way. Head straight for the cake counter, where you'd find their best-selling Salted Egg Black Sesame Cake (from $40 for a three-inch cake) with its distinct canary yellow salted egg sauce drizzled over the cake. It looks too rich to consume, but the black sesame flavour is light, and balances out the more intense salted egg sauce beautifully. If you want your birthday girl to feel extra extra special, contact Liz Yap, the baker, for a customised cake. Be sure to throw in all her favourite flavours together in the cake — like how our Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou did for her truly unforgettable Chocolate Honey Banana Coconut Cake!
*Whole cakes have to be ordered two days in advance via Dapper Coffee's website
Photo by Burppler Kayla Cys

If you love your durian, you have almost certainly eaten one of Emicake's iconic Durian cakes, which also happens to be what we consider, the best cake version of the beloved king of fruits. And when it comes to durian, it's worth it going for the very best, which in this case means going for the Mao Shan Wang ($71.40 for 15cm) instead of the Classic D24 ($40.30 for 15cm). Every forkful of the sponge cake gets you an equal amount of luscious durian flesh embedded in the mousse, so you get to enjoy the fruit without getting your fingers dirty. The cake only loses points because they don't sell it in slices, but for the most part, it's a celebratory cake worth splurging on. Just make sure your party-goers enjoy durian too.
*Whole cakes with letterings have to be ordered one day in advance, otherwise no pre-order necessary
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

This two-in-one half strawberry and half chocolate cake is the one you should go for at Chateraise. At first glance, the Half and Half Decoration Cake ($40) looks like a run-of-the-mill strawberry shortcake, but it only takes a bite to realize it is so much more. Unlike other shortcakes where the cream is denser, this cake is immensely light with a foamy, melt-in-your-mouth fresh cream, making it easy to shovel your way through one, or maybe even two slices on your own. if you're looking for a single serving cake that will bring a smile to a birthday girl's face, get the Cute Bear ($4.70) instead. It's a really, really cute dome-shaped chocolate cake that has layers of chocolate cream, crispy wafers and chocolate bits that will illicit that resounding — awww!
*No pre-order necessary for whole cakes
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu

This takeaway stand in Pasarbella whips up an array of Russian-style cakes that are moist, rich and sweet, but thankfully don't cross over into the cloying territory. The selections change daily and are updated on Facebook regularly but what you must get from here is the long stay, signature Pomegranate Cake ($52 per kg/$12 per slice). It's an original creation that features a generous spread of light fresh cream with a crazy amount of crimson red pomegranate seeds covering the cake — a perfect foil for the equally striking red hibiscus and pomegranate infused cake layers hidden below. The impressive height and bright red appearance of the cake already make for great conversation starters at your party, but it's the amazingly light combination of cake and fresh cream and the sheer amount of pomegranate seeds that makes this cake great for people who love pomegranate!
*Whole cakes have to be ordered two days in advance
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim

Nothing compares to a handmade confection picked up at a homey bakery. The selection may be limited, but the cakes are freshly baked daily and the flavours are simply more divine — perfect for both young and old to enjoy! Case in point, the Takoh Belle ($50 for whole cake /$6.50 per slice) from Out of the Cake Box is a delectable baked cheesecake with a homegrown spin — it is infused with fresh pandan extract! The cheesecake is topped with a frothy sweet corn mousse before finishing off with a sturdy coconut custard. It's a lot going on, but thankfully the flavours are well-balanced, never overwhelming and it all comes together beautifully — just be sure to get every layer of the cake in a forkful! Plus, the garnishes here are top notch — just look at the takoh (it means little basket in Thai), which is made out of a strip of pandan leaf that cradles mini cubes of nata de coco and sweetened corn kernels. Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for their elusive Mango Sticky Rice ($48.80 for whole cake / $6 per slice) that is only available when Thai honey mangoes are in season!
*Whole cakes have to be ordered two days in advance
Photo by Burppler Elaine Koh

Helmed by chef Yamashita (the Japanese baker who propelled Glace and Flor Patisserie to cake fame in Singapore), this quaint bakery in Tanjong Pagar Plaza turns out delicate and pretty Japanese-style cakes. Surprise your favourite girl friend with the popular Ichigo (from $28 for a 12x12cm cake/$6.50 a slice), a strawberry shortcake that sees a light and fluffy sponge cake base topped with fresh cream, strawberries and seasonal fruit. It's simple but beautifully decorated, and will strike a chord among cake fans who like fruity cakes that are not too sweet.
*Whole cakes have to be ordered three days in advance. Orders and payment can be made via their website.
Photo by Burppler Kat X

This is a foolproof cake for chocolate lovers. There's the Original ($32.80 for regular, feeds 6-8 pax), a subtly sweet, chocolatey cake with a lusciously rich chocolate ganache that everybody would love. And then there's the darker, bittersweet richness of the Dark ($39.80 for regular, feeds 6-8 pax) — two thin layers of sponge cake sandwiched between decadent, dark chocolate ganache. Either way, it's a hit amongst the chocolate lovers out there and the perfect cake to feed a large crowd at your party — you'll only need a thin slice of this densely rich bake to satisfy their sweet tooth!
*Regular sized cake can be picked up at the shops. Larger cakes have to be ordered two days in advance
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Wei Zhi Chiang

We love this confectionery for its light, sweet treats and floor-to-ceiling marble interiors, but it's the amazing Lady M Green Tea Mille Crepes ($115.55 for 9-inch cake, $9.65 a slice) that you must come for. Dusted with pleasantly bitter matcha powder, each of the 20 delicate layers in the crepe cake is separated by a thin spread of the lightest pastry cream. Magically, the thin-as-paper crepes aren't soggy when you spoon through the cake. Come by to pick up a 9-inch cake for your girlfriend's birthday, or perhaps drop by for a few slices at the sprawling two-storey outlet in Orchard Central for a tête-à-tête over dainty desserts. Also share the Gateau Nuage ($9.10 a slice) otherwise known as "cloud cake" — an airy whipped cheesecake with a cinnamon graham cracker crust topped with a sweetened sour cream for a silky finish.
*9-inch cakes have to be ordered three days in advance
Photo by Burppler Adele Chew

Cream & Custard's pretty-as-a-picture Strawberry Watermelon Cake (from $48 for 500g, $7.80 a slice) is a truly unique dessert. The almond dacquoise layer pairs well with the light-as-air rose-infused cream, while the thick watermelon slice in the middle adds a burst of sweet freshness. It is a medley of flavours that thankfully complements, not competes, with one another. If you're only intending to get a slice for an intimate celebration, come early to snag a piece — we hear each group/ table/ family is only allowed to order three slices! Alternatively, the Lychee Rose Cake (from $48 for 500g, $7.80 a slice) is a crowd pleaser — its delicate lychee mousse is sandwiched between layers of moist rose sponge cake to create the perfect blend of floral and fruity.
*Whole cakes have to be ordered three days in advance
Photo by Burppler Amanda Jayne

It may not be the most visually stunning of cakes, but don't let the sparse presentation fool you: this Kueh Salaat Cake ($63) is one of the tastiest kuehs out there! The Nonya classic is usually sold in small slices at other bakeries, but Chalk Farm does a supersized version of it — which actually makes celebrating with a kueh cake possible! This two-layered dessert is perfectly executed here — the sturdy pandan custard is velvety-smooth and intensely fragrant, while the steamed glutinous rice is moist and sticky, mixed with pea flower extract for that distinctive, beautiful cerulean blue. Even the older generation will find this immensely satisfying!
*Whole cakes have to be ordered four days in advance
Photo by Burppler Jackson Sim

Helmed by Les Amis Restaurant's pastry chef and Asia's Best Pastry Chef 2016 Cheryl Koh, Tarte is a crowd favourite pastry shop in town. You'll find no fancy, over-the-top decorations here, just "the best version of the simplest desserts". There are two tart sizes available, with seasonal flavours appearing occasionally. If you know the particular flavour the birthday girl or boy wants, call ahead to pre-order a large tart ($38 for 16cm). If not, order a good array of the smaller tarts ($9 for 8cm) to share. Go for the best-selling Pistachio ($9) — velvety smooth, creamy filling full of nutty goodness encased in a thin but sturdy buttery tart shell, with a garnish of crushed pistachios. Also look out for the seasonal tarts like the Tasmanian Cherry, Alphonso Mango and the luscious Passionfruit. If you're planning to swing by for a particular flavour, though, it's worth calling ahead, as they run out pretty quickly.
*38cm tarts have to be ordered two days in advance
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Nobelle Liew