If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through Instagram or TikTok looking at dessert trends in the Philippines, you’ve definitely seen them. Those impossibly smooth, minimalist cakes with the whimsical piped lettering or the vintage "Lambeth" style swirls that look like they belong in a Victorian tea party. Cake It by Dada has become a household name in the artisanal baking scene, but it didn't just happen by accident.
It’s about the vibe. Honestly, in a world of mass-produced Red Ribbon or Goldilocks cakes—which have their place, don't get me wrong—people are starving for something that feels personal.
The Rise of the Minimalist Cake Movement
What exactly is Cake It by Dada? It’s a boutique cake studio that basically spearheaded the "Korean minimalist" cake trend in Manila. You know the ones. Pastels. Small, intentional imperfections. Tiny little drawings of cats or stick-figure versions of the birthday celebrant. It's a specific aesthetic that values "less is more," and it struck a chord with Gen Z and Millennials who wanted their celebrations to look as good on a grid as they tasted on a fork.
The brand gained massive traction because it hit that sweet spot between art and food. It wasn't just about sugar. It was about curation.
Why the Aesthetic Works
Social media changed how we eat. We eat with our eyes first, then our cameras, and then our mouths. Cake It by Dada understood this shift early on. Their designs aren't loud. They don't use those giant, plastic-tasting fondant toppers that were popular ten years ago. Instead, they use high-quality buttercream. It's softer. It looks organic.
When you order from a place like this, you aren't just buying a dessert. You're buying a centerpiece.
Behind the Scenes: What Makes Dada Different?
Most people think starting a cake business is just about having a good chocolate cake recipe. It's not. It's about workflow and consistency. Dada’s studio managed to scale while keeping that "handmade" feel, which is incredibly hard to do when you’re getting hundreds of DMs a day.
- Customization: You can't just walk in and grab a cake. Everything is pre-ordered.
- The Palette: They use colors that are muted. Dusty rose, sage green, cream.
- Flavor Profiles: They didn't stick to just basic chocolate. They introduced flavors that appealed to a more sophisticated palate—think Earl Grey, strawberry shortcake, and premium yema.
There's a certain level of gatekeeping that happens with high-end bakers, but Dada feels accessible yet aspirational. That’s a tough line to walk.
The "Lunchbox Cake" Craze
We have to talk about the bento cakes. These tiny 4-inch cakes served in compostable sugarcane boxes literally saved the baking industry during the lockdowns. Cake It by Dada mastered these. They are small. They are cute. They are affordable enough for a "just because" gift but special enough for an anniversary.
Before this, buying a custom cake was a $50 to $100 commitment. Now, you could get a piece of edible art for a fraction of that. It democratized the custom cake world.
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How to Actually Secure a Cake
Here is the thing: getting a cake from a popular creator like Dada isn't as simple as clicking "buy" on a website. It’s a process. You have to follow their "drop" schedule.
- Watch the Stories: Most of their updates happen on Instagram Stories. If you miss the slot, you’re out of luck for the week.
- The Order Form: They usually use a Google Form or a specific link in their bio. Fill it out fast.
- The Reference Photo: Don't ask them to copy another baker exactly. They have a style. Respect the style.
If you try to order a 5-tier cake with spinning lights, you're looking at the wrong baker. Cake It by Dada is for the person who wants elegance, clean lines, and maybe a witty, handwritten note piped in icing on top.
Common Misconceptions About Custom Buttercream
A lot of people think buttercream is just sugar and butter. Well, it is, but the type matters. Most high-end shops use Swiss Meringue Buttercream (SMBC). It’s less sweet than the American version you find in grocery stores. It’s silkier. It’s also much harder to work with in the Philippine heat.
If you leave a Cake It by Dada creation out in a 32°C garden party, it’s going to melt. That’s not a flaw in the cake; it’s the nature of real butter. Always keep these cakes refrigerated until about 30 minutes before serving. That’s the pro tip for the best texture.
Is It Worth the Price?
You’re paying for time. A single minimalist cake can take hours of color mixing and steady-hand piping. When you see a price tag of 1,500 PHP or more for a small cake, you aren't paying for flour and eggs. You're paying for the three years the baker spent learning how to make a surface look like smooth porcelain.
The Future of Artisanal Baking in the Philippines
The "Dada style" has inspired a whole new generation of home bakers. You see "Dada-esque" cakes popping up in every neighborhood now. Some call it imitation; I call it a trend-setting legacy. But the original usually holds its value because of the attention to detail.
The industry is moving toward more sustainable packaging and even more "untraditional" flavors like miso-caramel or black black sesame. It'll be interesting to see how Cake It by Dada evolves as the minimalist trend eventually shifts into whatever comes next—maybe a return to maximalism? Only time tells.
Your Next Steps for the Perfect Cake Experience
If you're planning to order or even start your own baking journey, keep these points in mind.
- Book at least 2 weeks in advance. Popular slots for weekends fill up almost instantly.
- Check the flavor menu thoroughly. Don't just settle for chocolate; try their signature fruit-based fillings if available.
- Handle with care. Always transport the cake on the floor of the car (where it's flattest and coolest), never on a car seat where it can tilt.
- Take the photo immediately. Condensation starts the moment it hits room temperature, which can dull the "matte" look of the frosting.
Order early, keep it cold, and make sure your camera battery is charged before you open that box. This is edible art, and it deserves the hype.