Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean we forego dessert. But the weather demands something cooling, which is what Dimpy’s Frozen Brazo offers up along with so much more. Here, Kris remembers and recounts her story of this decade-old dessert that is now firmly a classic. – Lori
There are days when Manila feels like one big sauna. When the short walk from the grocery store to the parking lot becomes an excruciating trek if you happen to be outdoors around noon, and you have a bag or two in hand. What?s even more excruciating is those first few minutes inside the car, when the air conditioning hasn?t kicked in, and the steering wheel is piping hot. In a word, ugh.

Photo by Lori Baltazar
And so I order one, one Christmas. In that party, the Frozen Brazo is the dessert that?s wiped out and subsequently talked about. ?Where is it from"? ?Who makes it"? ?Where is Dimpy?s Kitchen"? I?m asked. To this day, when I give Dimpy?s Frozen Brazo as a gift or bring it to parties, it?s met with a lot of excitement. Sometimes it even ends up being secretly stashed in the freezer because the host or the celebrant doesn?t want to share! There?s nothing complicated about the way it tastes; the flavors are true to the original rolled cake. Now I?m not the biggest Brazo de Mercedes fan around, but what wins me over about this frozen version is how a few upgrades make all the difference. The ice cream and meringue pairing is simple but genius; the subtle crunch...