Is The Chocolate Tart From Dona Manis Cake Shop Or Rival Bakery Auntie Peng Banana Pie Yummier?
After reviewing their famous banana pies, 8days.sg compares the next most popular dessert from both rival bakeries. And the winner is…
Shortly after the co-founder of beloved retro bakery Dona Manis Cake Shop left to open her own biz called Auntie Peng Banana Pie next door, 8days.sg hotfooted it to Katong Shopping Centre to try the nearly identical bakes from both shops.
While their banana pies are the star of the show and the first thing we reviewed, there are folks who actually prefer the chocolate tarts at Dona Manis. Of course, its former head baker and co-founder Mdm Soh Tho Lang aka Auntie Peng, 74, also offers the same bite-sized treats at her new shop next door.
Since netizens asked 8days.sg who baked the better choc tart - we obliged with this taste test.
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The look
Auntie Peng’s and Dona Manis’ mini chocolate tarts appear as different as night and day, even though they both contain similar ingredients like whipping cream and melted dark chocolate.
Auntie Peng’s tarts are more elegantly crafted, but paler. The smooth chocolate filling has a milkier, lighter brown shade and the pastry crust neat and well-shaped.
Meanwhile, Dona Manis’ tarts have a darker chocolate core and a more golden-brown crust, which we thought looked more attractive. However, the pastry is messily constructed and crumbly.
TASTE TEST: AUNTIE PENG’S CHOCOLATE TARTS, $6 FOR FIVE
Mdm Soh tells 8days.sg that the chocolate filling in her tarts is meant to be somewhat like ice cream, with a texture that’s best when served chilled. She’s right - though the chocolate looks stiff and dry, it has a surprisingly oozy, creamy mouthfeel that’s fun to eat. A pleasant contrast to the crunchy if slightly grainy crust. Pity there’s barely any hint of chocolate. We suppose this is nice if you think of it as a comforting childhood snack with just a mild choc flavour.
TASTE TEST: DONA MANIS’ CHOCOLATE TARTS, $6 FOR FIVE
In comparison, Dona Manis’ choc tarts (bottom in pic) has a more fragile crust that breaks easily. While its filling has a richer, deeper chocolatey hit, it’s not the best quality choc (understandable at these prices). The texture of the filling is also firmer and less luscious than Auntie Peng’s version.
Verdict: Auntie Peng wins!
While Auntie Peng’s chocolate tart could do with a heavier hit of cocoa, the melt-in-the mouth creaminess of her filling is simply more satisfying than Donna Manis’ offering.
Auntie Peng Banana Pie is at #B1-92 Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Rd, S437844. Open Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm; Sun 9am - 3pm. Tel: 8088 9639. More info via Facebook.
Dona Manis Cake Shop is at #B1-93 Katong Shopping Centre, 865 Mountbatten Rd, S437844. Open Tue - Sat 10am - 4.30pm; Sun 10am - 3pm. Closed Mon. Tel: 6440 7688. More info via Facebook.
Photos: Auntie Peng Banana Pie, Pyron Tan
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