Metro Manila has no shortage of chocolate chip cookies. From cafés and bakeries to online sellers, everyone has their own version of this classic treat. But with so many choices, which one really stands out?
To find out, we organized a blind taste test of 15 cookies, judged on chocolate quality, texture, flavor, sweetness, and overall impression. This wasn’t sponsored — we bought every cookie ourselves and tasted them anonymously.
And before anything else — sorry if we missed out on some of your favorites this round. Manila’s cookie scene is huge, and we know there are plenty more worth tasting. Don’t worry: we’ll try them soon as this series continues.
The result? A fascinating spread of flavors and textures, from gooey and comforting to dry and disappointing. And yes, one cookie came out as the definitive winner.
How We Ranked Them
Each cookie was judged by our group of tasters across five descriptors: chocolate quality, texture, flavor, sweetness, and overall impression. Everyone scored individually, and we averaged the results to create a cookie taste profile. Of course, personal taste is always subjective — some people prefer extra gooey, others lean salty or crunchy — but this method gave us a fair snapshot of how each cookie performed side by side.
How the Cookies Measured Up
Some cookies impressed right away with their chocolate quality. Oh Fudge stood out for its chewy, thick body and consistent flavor — well-balanced with just the right sweetness. Kukidō had that fresh-from-the-oven gooey softness, offering comfort in every bite, while Mo’s Cookies leaned into salt and brown butter, creating a lighter but flavorful cookie with big chocolate chunks.
Others took a riskier route. Hella Good Cookies leaned heavily on salt, with flavor that came across uneven, while The Manila Baker offered a more classic approach: chewy insides, crunchy edges, and rich brown butter depth that never failed to satisfy.
There were a few more unusual entries too. Cookie Cartel had a light, coffee-like profile with grainy sugar bits that made it distinct but not very chocolate-forward. Bake Scout delivered thin, simple cookies that were pleasant but basic, while The Kind Cookie leaned into a sweeter, milkier profile that some found overwhelming. Harlan, with its macadamia-chocolate pairing, offered good flavor but suffered from a crumbly texture.
Then there were cookies that couldn’t quite deliver. Wildflour’s cookie was moist but overly sweet with a slight metallic note. Ben’s Cookies came across plain and pancake-like, while Scout’s Honor was balanced but forgettable. At the bottom, DC Delights was eggy and overly sweet, and Starbucks simply felt flour-heavy and flat.
Cookie Flavor Profiles
The Clear Winner
After plenty of bites and debate, one cookie stood out above the rest: 50Shades of Dough.
What made it so special? Two things:
- Chocolate: Instead of relying on just one type, 50Shades uses two high-quality chocolates, one bringing depth and another layering sweetness, with a subtle espresso note tying it together.
- Texture: With a crisp exterior and a thick, fudgy center, it’s almost like cutting into a medium steak — slightly raw in the middle, but in a way that enhances richness and chew.
The result is indulgent but never overwhelming. Balanced, flavorful, and addictive, it was the cookie every taster returned to and the unanimous choice for Manila’s best.
Final Bite
Manila’s cookie scene is vibrant but uneven — some bakers lean into salt, some into comfort, others into sweetness. But judged blindly, quality shines through.
For this test, the title belongs to 50Shades of Dough, the cookie that nailed chocolate, texture, and flavor in one indulgent bite. Crisp on the outside, fudgy inside, layered with two types of chocolate and a hint of espresso, it struck the perfect balance that no other cookie managed to match.
That said, taste is deeply personal. What one group finds indulgent, another may find too rich or too salty. Our panel’s rankings are less about declaring an absolute champion and more about offering a snapshot of how these cookies performed when placed side by side.
If anything, this taste test reminded us that Manila’s bakers aren’t afraid to experiment. Some cookies aim for comfort, some for boldness, and others for sheer size. Each one reflects a different idea of what a “perfect” chocolate chip cookie should be.
Still, if you’re starting your hunt for Manila’s best, 50Shades is the one to beat. And the sweetest part? The search for the city’s ultimate cookie doesn’t end here — this is just the first bite of a much bigger series.
