A successful bakery is not without a story—a blend of passion, creativity, and dedication that brings something truly special to life. With many such bakeries taking the culinary scenery by storm with their creative menus, we can find that these stories are as varied as the treats they create.
This is no different with the ever-so-charming Baked by K.
Nestled in a cozy corner of the city, Baked by K has quickly become a beloved space for those looking to enjoy the best of both homely delights and innovative culinary concepts. But behind its warm façade lies a story of grit and inspiration. From humble beginnings to becoming a thriving establishment with its playful menu, Baked by K embodies the power of commitment and creativity in service to its customers, reflecting the devotion and hard work that has since shaped its journey and continues to drive its success.
A Touch of Sweetness to Cut through Sour Moments
Like numerous newer baking businesses, Baked by K was born in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this, owner Kristine Cruz acknowledges just how much of a blessing it is to have been able to continue the business even after the tragedy. “We were fortunate enough that it survived even after 4 years,” she says.
But as good as that sounds, this journey wasn’t all smooth sailing throughout such a long period of time. Kristine also recalls that she came close to shutting down the shop for good to tend to her sick father around 2022.
Fortunately, however, she was eventually given the chance to resume operations—but not without paying homage to her father’s passing. Following the specific color scheme of pink and brown to honor his favorite colors, and the color white as a comforting reminder of the better place he is in now, Kristine demonstrates her commitment to putting thought into every aspect of Baked by K—not only as a tribute to her beloved father, but as her expression of love through her craft as well.
Menu All-Stars
Though Baked by K offers a good range of items on their menu with assorted muffins, cookies, coffee, and even made-to-order lasagna, they’re most known for their Korean garlic and cream cheese buns and their unique and extravagant donuts.
Priced at ₱100 apiece, Kristine explains that the viral Korean Garlic and Cream Cheese Bread started their business during the pandemic. A decent-sized bun, sliced into six ways, with melt-in-your-mouth buttery garlic and creamy melted cheese filling each cut to the brim, offers an indulgent treat with great value for money. With this, it is no wonder why it has since become a hit among her customers to this very day.
For her donuts on the other hand, which are priced at ₱90 each, she shares that a lot of them were inspired by different things. One particular example she mentions is their other bestselling Leche Flan Donut, which was an idea she had gotten from KORA, a Filipino bakery based in New York, which sells a similar product.
But baking since 2014, Kristine also shares her process in incorporating different flavors with the recipes she has developed over the years as a graduate from ISCAHM (International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management). With this, she has since come up with four other deliciously intriguing donut flavors namely Ruby Cheesecake, Ube Cream Cheese, Hazelnut Chocolate, and Biscoff.
Product Recommendations
Bestsellers are bestsellers for a reason. This is no exception to Baked by K’s Leche Flan Donut. A delectable fusion of two beloved desserts, this donut perfectly marries the creamy eggy richness of leche flan with the soft, airy texture of a freshly baked donut. With each bite delivering a luscious, caramelized custard center that just complements the donut’s fluffy, powdered-sugar-topped exterior, it certainly is a must-try for anyone looking to experience a next-level decadent snack.
Likewise, it’s also worth checking out their ever-so-popular Biscoff Donut if you’re looking for something similar. Featuring a generous filling of smooth Biscoff spread in a soft, pillowy donut—all topped with a crunchy Biscoff cookie, each bite offers a satisfying contrast of textures and a burst of creamy caramelized goodness that is not only a treat for your sweet tooth but also a taste-ament to Baked by K’s knack for elevating familiar flavors into extraordinary experiences.
With a story rooted in passion, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to thoughtful service, Baked by K then shines as a delightful destination for heartfelt baking. Located in the Capitol Centrum Building on North Escario Street, Cebu City, it’s surely a place to visit for delicious thoughtful treats.
Photography Kyrra Kho
