Snack Attack: Schneeballen Cookies

The packaging

   
According to their Facebook account, "SCHNEEBALLEN is a German cookie that is shaped round similar to a ball, and is coated with chocolate and other flavorings that gives it its distinctly delectable taste".

 It was a usual mall weekend with Baby G. I saw this preppy kiosk at the ground floor near the ice skating rink. As I am always curious, I went near it and in few minutes I was already buying one.

It was really a hard ball so it was interesting that when I asked the girl on how to eat it, she said that if I'd eat it right there, a mallet would be used to sort of crush it in bite sizes. But I opted to bring it home. I ended up smashing it up the wall. I think it came out just the same.

Eating it was similar to eating an "otap" because of the crunch, but this is better because of the authentic chocolate taste that surrounds some parts of the cookie. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of the actual product and how it looked after it was smashed.

My parents, who are not fans of sweets have actually liked it

One of their interesting displays.
The mallet is actually being used.

Several flavors to choose from!

One thing that makes it interesting is the process of smashing it before you eat it. There is also the idea of doing something new. However, at P110 per piece, it is something that I won't be buying every time I go to the mall.

Brazo de Ube @ La Paz Bakeshop

Doc M and I went to La Paz on the last day of our Ilo Ilo trip (December 2, 2014). After visiting La Paz Church, we headed to La Paz Market where the original store of Deco's Batchoy is located. I will write about our Deco experience later.

I've read in one of the blogs about the ube brazo, which I have completely forgotten during our trip. However, after our craving for the original batchoy and we were about to jump in the cab, I noticed the bakeshop beside Deco's. Being the curious bee that I am, I told Doc M that I'd look around. La Paz Bakeshop do not have doors as it is an open shop. Upon stepping in, I immediately saw the display the rolls of ube brazo and brazo de mercedes. 

I have mentioned from the previous blog how I love ube halaya. Without thinking twice, I knew I had to buy and bring one home to Manila. In as much as I wanted to get a whole roll, it would be difficult to bring it on the plane given that we already have several bags to carry. I also didn't want to check-in our luggages. Not only that it will cost us about P500.00, but it would also be a hassle to wait for luggages upon arrival to the airport. Lately Doc M and I have been travelling light.

Anyway, I brought home half roll for only P250.00. As you can see from the photo, it's fluffy and big so just by looking at it, you'd agree that the amount that I paid was worth it.

Upon arriving home, I didn't wait long until I took a slice. Only then that I realized that the filling was made of pure ubeng halaya, which was rich and authentic (pure ube) when it comes to taste. It was indeed heaven!

A slice would be enough to meet a sweet craving. It was delicious, but too sweet. Taking in more will already be taking you to the "umay" factor.

After tasting it, I can say that it was truly worth it. This is definitely a must-buy pasalubong from Ilo-Ilo.

A closer look on how sinful it is!

*** There is already a bakeshop in Manila called Baker's Table, creating Ube Brazo. I got 1 last December 2014 given by my boss, but I can't retrieve the photo from my camera. As soon as I got the pic, I will post it here as an update and will try to write about it as well.

Their version though is much smaller, and the halayang ube didn't taste as authentic as how La Paz bakeshop's version does. It is also a bit pricey at P400++ for half roll.