It is now December and entertaining season is in full swing. This is the month of potlucks, hosting, and gifts. And if you need anything for any of the above, Daan Go is currently offering an early bird $5 discount on any of their preorder, online cake sales until December 7th, 2025.
This year their full holiday collection includes Holiday Mini Mix Macarons, Holiday Mini Cake Trio, and Holiday Cakes.
For those unfamiliar with this Canadian dessert and bakery chain, the name “Daan Go” means “cake” in Cantonese. It isfounded by MasterChef Canada season 7 winner Christopher Siu. This Canadian chef is known for blending Eastern and Western pastry techniques to create visually stunning, story-driven desserts like ramen bowl cakes, character macarons, and unique ice creams. I would visit their new and second BC location in Vancouver, to complete my order below.
Their winter cakes only come in a 6 person serving with flavours like Strawberry Swirl, Mont Blanc, and Hokkaido Noel. Topped with their popular character macarons wearing Santa hats and a festive greeting topper that is not to be eaten. The latter has these cakes looking like a snow globe with the colour of the base dependent on the flavour.
I ordered their Holiday Wreath cake for our gym friends get together because we were able to choose from their post popular, non-holiday flavours like 24k Mango Cheesecake,Strawberry Fields, Dubai Nights, and Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu.
With such tasty sounding options it was hard to choose, but we ultimately went with the incredibly popular 3:15 (Hong Kong Milk Tea). It features their Hong Kong Milk Tea Mousse, Coffee Crémeux, Evaporated Milk Crémeux, and an Ovaltine “Pineapple Bun” Crumb Crunch.
This, like all of the other desserts we tried, not only accurately represented each description, but also weren’t too sweet. The latter is the best compliment you can get for any Chinese dessert. This means it is enjoyable, you can finish your serving, and might even want more to have with tea.
If a whole cake is a little too much, they also have 3 festive mini cakes you can choose from. $9.50 each of $25 as a set of three.
The Peace Apple was glossy in red with a plaque of Chinese characters in gold. As such, it reminded me more of happy Chinese New Year than happy holidays. Cracking into each of them is the best part and satisfying with a crunch. This one is a fluffy apple cinnamon soft cake with silky honey mascarpone Chantilly, topped with tender apple confit. It offers a balance of sweet and spice.
The Christmas Candle felt the most festive of the three by looks alone, but not so much flavour profile with Bourbon Vanilla Bean Chantilly, Strawberry Compote, Vanilla Soft Cake, and a Strawberry Crunchy Base.
The Pig in the Blanket reminded me of the pastries and sausage that were once commonplace at any home held party. An easy canapé and appetizer. Except in the holiday mood wearing a Santa hat and not at all savoury. This one is for the chocolate lovers. Layers of rich dark chocolate mousse, tangy cherry confit, and velvety chocolate cherry crémeux, resting on a moist chocolate almond cake.
And for those who like macarons, but want smaller bites to share, look to their two Mini Mix Macarons sets available in Holiday Bear or Holiday Tree.
Each set comes with three different shapes, each its own flavour. The green trees are Yuzu Matcha, the red wrapped presents are Bischoff, and the White & Gold rounds are Coconut. Not necessarily complimentary to one another or all that seasonally driven. However, the fun is in the shapes and popping each into your mouth for a burst of flavour you have to then figure out. The Santa bear is Ovaltine, the blue and silver round ornament is Blueberry, and the red bow is Passion Fruit.
In short, if looking for some stunning holiday desserts that are sure to wow any guests, host, family member, or friend Daan Go has you. And you need not have it in the traditional flavours like peppermint, gingerbread, or egg nog. Here, you can literally have your Christmas cake and eat it too.
And when visiting to pick up, but sure to check out their festive assortment of self-serve pastries and and seasonal mochas as a treat for yourself.
Daan Go Cake Lab
1450 W 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C1
(236) 480-8378
van.daango.com
