14 exquisite mooncakes to gift your boss and mother-in-law that will fly them to the moon

[UPDATE, Aug 8]

Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner and if you're looking to get into your boss' or parents-in-law's good books we've got you covered.

We've picked out flavours that are fancy, premium and exquisite, which will keep them talking about it till next year.

1. PREMIUM TRUFFLE DURIAN SNOW SKIN (AROMA TRUFFLE)

From the creators of 'the world’s strongest truffle chips' comes a unique premium truffle durian snow skin mooncake ($88, a box of four).

The mooncake is a marriage of 100 per cent Mao Shan Wang flesh and infused with black Italian truffles. It is encased in bamboo charcoal snowskin and sprinkled with edible gold flakes.

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If you're not a fan of the king of fruits, the premium truffle chocolate molten snowskin mooncake might tickle your fancy with an oozing truffle chocolate lava in the middle, paired with chocolate flavoured lotus paste and crunchy macadamia nuts.

Get the fortune bundle for $98 that comes with a box of durian or chocolate truffle mooncakes and two bags of original or parmesan truffle chips.

Or the harmony bundle for $108 for a box of durian or chocolate truffle mooncakes and four bags of original or parmesan truffle chips.

The bundles are available from now till Aug 23, and orders can be made online. Do note that there are only 1,000
boxes of mooncakes available.

2. ROAST DUCK MOONCAKE (KAM'S ROAST)

Michelin-starred Kam's Roast will be releasing the first-ever roast duck mooncake in Singapore ($68 for a box of four or $18 a piece) this Aug 16.

The traditional baked mooncake will be filled with walnut, sesame seeds, almond, melon seed and olive seeds, with michelin-quality roast duck. 

Pre-orders can be made from Aug 16 at Kam’s Roast’s outlets:

• Pacific Plaza: 9 Scotts Rd, #01-04, Singapore 228210
• Jewel Changi Airport: 78 Airport Blvd, #02 - 210, Singapore 819666

3. SIGNATURE SHANGHAI MOONCAKES (MDM LING BAKERY)

The signature Shanghai mooncakes ($52) by Mdm Ling Bakery are given a local spin, reminiscent of the sampans (wooden boats) that once populated the Singapore River until the 1980s.

The mooncakes will please the Merdeka and Pioneer generations as they walk down memory lane while biting into the buttery pastry.

It comes in three flavours, white lotus with homemade pandan, red bean and lotus paste, with the option of having salted egg yolk or without.

Enjoy 20 per cent early-bird discount when you order from now till Aug 25.

4. BAKED SKIN PU-ER TEA & CHESTNUT PASTE WITH BROWN SUGAR MOCHI (THE PINE GARDEN)

This fragrant baked skin pu-er tea mooncake ($16.20 per piece) is one of the new flavours by The Pine Garden this year.

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The healthier treat is filled with antioxidant benefits and will be sure to please your in-laws. 

Head over to the website to have a look at the full range of mooncakes. Psst, the baked skin kuri chestnut paste with brown sugar mochi will be a hit with the younger generation with its chewy centre.

Enjoy 15 per cent discount on the premium box when you place orders by Aug 20.

5. BOBA LOVE & BEAN THERE MOONCAKES (BAKERZIN)

This one is for the bubble tea-loving bosses out there.

Bakerzin is riding on the bubble tea wave and has dropped a limited-edition boba love snowskin mooncake collection ($70 for eight pieces), which comes in four flavours and two toppings.

The pearl latte snowskin mooncake and pearl yuan yang snowskin mooncake are interspersed with white boba; the exact same white boba pearls present in bubble milk teas. 

The kanten passion fruit mango grains snowskin mooncake and the kanten matcha red bean pomelo snowskin mooncake come with jelly bits and is refreshing with its citrusy flavours.

The only difference between eating this boba-inspired mooncake and drinking the real deal is customising the sugar level.

But you'll be happy to know all Bakerzin's mooncake are made with less-sugar lotus paste.

The Bean There collection ($37 for two pieces) features a traditional red bean mooncake and traditional red bean egg yolk blend mooncake.

The baked skin mooncakes are filled with fragrant red bean, Bakerzin's secret recipe and fragrant peanut oil.

We liked that it isn't too sweet and will be a hit with those who are watching their waistline.

Bakerzin 2019 mooncake collections will be on sale from now till Sept 13 (last order Sept 12) at all Bakerzin outlets. Online preorders will be available from now till Sept 12, 2pm. 

Address:

• Gardens by the Bay - 18Marina Garden Drive, #03-03, Singapore 018953
• 18 Tai Seng - 18 Tai Seng, #01-03/04/05/06, Singapore 539775
• Maju Avenue (ArtisanBreads) - 28 Maju Ave, Singapore 556698
• United Square - 101 Thomson Road, #01-07/60, Singapore 307591
• Farrer Park - 1 Farrer Park Station, #01-07 Connexion, Singapore 217562
• Raffles Hospital - #01-08,585, North Bridge Road,Singapore 188770

6. ASSORTED MINI SNOWSKIN MOONCAKES (ANTOINETTE) 

Antoinette is rolling out a new peach truffle flavour as part of its assorted mini snow skin mooncake ($56.60), which will please those who love surprises.

The mochi-like snow skin mooncakes can be enjoyed chilled or slightly warmed. One bite and you'll be delighted to find a lusciously oozing lava centre encased within the truffle.

The other three flavours are salted yolk truffle, crunchy chocolate pearls and ondeh ondeh. Two of each flavour will come in a Parisian gift box.

Enjoy 20 per cent early-bird discounts from now till July 31, and a 15 per cent discount from Aug 1 - 30.

Address:

• 30 Penhas Road (off Lavender Street), Singapore 208188
• 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-28, Singapore 039596 (Aug 2019)

7. JAPANESE-INSPIRED SNOWSKIN MOONCAKES (JANICE WONG)

Encased in pretty pastel snowskin mooncakes are flavours inspired by various Japanese ingredients unique to nine different prefectures.

The mooncake box set ($65) is specially crafted featuring flavours, such as kinako (roasted soy flour) from Hokkaido, ume (Asian plum) from Wakayama, hojicha (roasted Japanese green tea) from Kyoto and more.

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Enjoy an early-bird discount of 25 per cent for orders placed from now till Aug 25.

It is available for pre-order online at janicewong.online from July 1.

8. MOTHER OF DRAGONS SNOWSKIN MOONCAKE (MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE)

Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has come up with new mooncake creations and the mother of dragons snowskin mooncake ($81.30 for eight pieces) takes centre stage.

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Inspired by the eponymous cocktail at Mo Bar, the exquisite mooncake is made with candied dragonfruit and lime zest studded in dragon fruit lotus paste.

Just the perfect mooncake gift for the unconventional.

The mooncakes are available from Aug 8 to Sept 13 online and at these places:

• Mandarin Oriental, Singapore - Aug 8 to Sept 13, 11am to 9pm
• Ngee Ann City, B2 Takashimaya Square - Aug 8 to Sept 13, 10am to 9.30pm
• VivoCity, Level 1 Central Court - Aug 15 to Sept 13, 10am to 10pm
• NEX, Level 1 Atrium - Aug 23 to Sept 13, 10.30am to 10pm
• Raffles Xchange, B1 Atrium - Aug 19 to Sept 13, 10am to 8pm

9. CRISPY WHITE LOTUS CUSTARD MILK MOONCAKE (RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA)

This year, Feng Shui Inn at Resorts World Sentosa's (RWS) signature salted egg yolk lava mooncakes gets a tantalising update with the crispy white lotus custard milk mooncake ($78 per box of six pieces).

Boasting a delicate crisp buttery skin and a delicious blend of salted egg yolk, custard and milk lava in its core, the mooncake is best enjoyed by popping it into the oven for a quick toast.

The mooncake is reminiscent of a full moon and symbolises family unity and completeness, which will surely please the older generation.

Available from Aug 16 to Sept 2019, pre-orders can now be made at either Feng Shui Inn, Crockfords Tower, Level G2, Resorts World Sentosa or RWS' website.

10. GOLDEN RED DATE BAKED MOONCAKE WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE SET (SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL)

Did you know, Cantonese mooncakes were traditionally filled with red date paste?

Bringing back this aged-old tradition, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is offering a collection of golden red date baked mooncakes with a twist, comprising pistachio, Jambon de Bayonne (French cured ham), sesame and salted egg.

Instead of pairing the mooncakes with tea, the gift set ($238) comes with a bottle of Chateau Rieussec Cru Classé Sauternes, France 2015 (375ml) to elevate the taste of the baked goods with its fruity notes.

The mooncakes are available from Aug 8 - Sept 13, and open for pre-orders online. 

11. BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE & PURPLE SWEET POTATO MOONCAKES (HILTON SINGAPORE) 

Presentation is key in winning the favour of your bosses and in-laws.

Hilton Singapore has dropped two beautifully designed packaging: a four-tier tiffin-style carrier and a luxurious handbag-like package in two colours for an additional $50.

The golden baked collection, which includes a healthier option of purple sweet potato with walnuts, is priced from $62.

New this year, the blueberry cheesecake snowskin mooncake is inspired by the hotel’s popular American cheesecake, available in a box of eight pieces from $66.

The mooncakes are available from Aug 10 to Sept 13. Enjoy 25 per cent early-bird offer when you order before Aug 15 on at the D9 Cakery in Hilton Singapore or online.

Address: D9 Cakery, Lobby Level, Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883. Opening hours: 10 am to 9 pm (Daily)
 

12. BUNDUNG & ONDEH ONDEH SNOWSKIN MOONCAKE (THE FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE)

Jade at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore introduces two new snowskin mooncakes inspired by local flavours, available from now till Sept 13.

At one glance, the Bandung snowskin mooncake will steal your heart with its dainty pink exterior, which is rose-scented. 

The ondeh ondeh snowskin mooncake is a nod to the classic kueh, featuring a gula melaka centre surrounded by pandan pasted and flecks of coconut flakes.

Purchase online from now till Aug 19 and enjoy 15 per cent off selected snowskin and baked mooncakes.

Address: The Fullerton Cake Boutique, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178. Opening Hours: 10am to 8 pm

13. PASSION FRUIT AND MANGO & MAO SHAN WANG SNOWSKIN MOONCAKE (PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE)

Do good this festival when you gift your loved ones with the mooncake collections from Pan Pacific Singapore.

The mooncake gift box is designed by gifted alumni artists from Pathlight School, featuring 'Bird and the Blossom' by Selena Seow on the cover and 'Botanical' by Nurul Amirah Binte Zain on the side.

Complete the gift with the 'Botanical' motif tote bag for an additional $15.

For every mooncake box and limited-edition tote bag sold, $1 and $10 respectively will be donated to Autism Resource Centre (Singapore).

Look out for unique snowskin mooncake flavours, such as passionfruit and mango snowskin ($68.80 for a box for four), earl grey and cherry snowskin ($68.80 for a box for four), Mao Shan Wang durian snowskin ($88.80 for a box of four) and more. 

Order the mooncakes online or Level one, Mooncake Booth and Level three, Hai Tien Lo.

Enjoy 25 per cent off when you order from now till Aug 4, and up to 20 per cent discount from Aug 5 - Sept 14.

Address: Marina Square, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595

14. BIRD'S NEST WITH CUSTARD SNOWSKIN MOONCAKE (FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE)

Pamper your in-laws with the bird's nest with custard snowskin mooncake ($88) from Jiang-Nan Chun at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

The bird's nest is encased within a smooth custard in the core of the mooncake. 

I can already imagine an idyllic afternoon gathering around the table having hearty conversations with relatives while nibbling on this luxurious flavour.

The gift box exudes sophistication, featuring the botanical designs of the restaurant in rose gold accents.

Enjoy 30 per cent off when you order the mooncakes from now till Aug 11, excluding Mao Shan Wang snowskin.

melissagoh@asiaone.com