Liliha Bakery

Liliha Bakery has been in business for over half a century, and more than 40 of those years, have been spent at its current location at the corner of North Kuakini and Aipaako Street.

When I arrived at the bakery yesterday (at about 5:00 pm), there was a huge crowd that was waiting in line to order.  I pulled a number (I was number #76, they were on #63) and waited for my turn to order. 

If you ask anyone about this place, the first words out of their mouths will be "coco puffs".  Guaranteed!  And that's exactly what I was there to buy (US$.90 each).

The puff pastry is filled with a sort of chocolaty filling (similar to chocolate pudding) and topped with a healthy serving of the bakery's legendary chantilly frosting. 

The chantilly frosting is similar in flavor to buttercream frosting, but is much richer and more buttery.  One taste and you'll be hooked.  I guess that's what makes this the bakery's biggest seller.  In fact, they've been known to sell several thousands of these little puff pastries daily!

Liliha Bakery
515 North Kuakini Street
Telephone:  808.531.1651

Comments

[santos]

soooo ono! my favourite bit is sucking out a little of the chocolate before biting in so the whole thing doesn't slop over onto my shoes....

you know, when i was in high school, no one went to liliha for that--it was for the chantilly and dobash cakes (still my favourite). i don't even remember them from back in the day--when did they get so popular? (omigod, have i just totally dated myself? are we talking prehistoric days?)

[FatMan Seoul]

Looks scrumptious.

[Reid]

Santos,

You're right! Back in the day (when I was in school too!)...70s, 80s...Liliha Bakery was known for their chantilly cake (then, their number one seller)...their dobash cake was good, but I liked the one from Dee Lite bakery more. I'm almost certain that the coco puff made its debut in the last 10 years or so.

By the way, I normally suck all of the filling out...then I'll eat the chantilly frosting off the top...and finish by devouring the "empty" puff pastry. =)

FatMan,

They are! =) Love to eat these, however, they are very fattening only because of the amount of butter used. I was told that they even use butter in the filling! LOL!

[umami]

Very gorgeous looking puff, I can just imagine how the whole thing would taste, all buttery and chocolatey and sweet.

There is a popular bun in Malaysia called the Rotiboy; it has a crunchy buttery topping like the cocoa puff, and the filling is a sort of custard.

[Reid]

Hi Umami,

Yes, it's a bit rich so you shouldn't eat too many in one sitting! It's actually very easy to get carried away because they are quite small and can be eaten in relatively few bites. =)

I'll keep my eyes out for rotiboy when I make my trip to S'pore this fall. Thanks for the tip! =)

[andrew]

i think i once ate 10. in my top two favorite hawaii bakery snacks. the other is of course, the malasada.

[Reid]

Hi Andrew,

Don't think I could eat that many without getting an overdose of butter. =) The most I've eaten was 2.

[azn_wahine877]

I need a local bakery here in Northern California that can make Chantilly Cake. I don't have time to bake. Please kokua

[Jo]

Hey azn...

What city are you in? Anywhere near Mt. View? I'm not sure what a "Chantilly" cake is, but maybe you could try some of the local Asian bakeries? My favorite is the SoGo bakery on the corner of Blaney and hmmm... can't think of the cross street. It's in San Jose, in the Tin Tin market strip mall. If you are close enough to want to try it, email me and I'll try to get better info for you.

[Reid]

Hi azn_wahine877,

Thanks for dropping by!

Unfortunately, I don't know of any bakery that sell chantilly cakes in northern California. Maybe one of my readers can help you out.

Hi Jo,

A chantilly cake is a two layer milk chocolate cake with a butter cream like frosting. It's super buttery and golden yellow in color. I believe there are macadamia nuts pressed onto the top and sides of the cake as well. I'll try to get you a photo of one some time. =)

[Jo]

OoooOo oh wow! That sounds awesome! Hey, AZN! If you print out Reid's description and take it to SoGo, I bet they would be able to make the cake for you. You could try other bakeries if they are more accessible but as I said, I REALLY like SoGo.

[Michael]

Aloha-&-Howzit,
Here now living in Az. I soooooo- miss those "coco-puffs". I know my Aunty Jennie always sends me some frozen, how can I get these shipped over to me? And I only had to order my "chantilly cake" for my birthday.
Thank you & is Dee-lite bakery still around?...

[Reid]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for stopping by the blog.

Perhaps you can call the bakery to see if they are able to send some to you. I'm sure they could and I'm sure they would be expensive! The number for the bakery is (808) 531-1651.

And yes, Dee Lite Bakery is still around.

[Dori]

Yummy! I just got back from Hawaii and yes, had to stop for the cocc puffs and long johns. Wuz sooo delicious, felt like I was home when I walked into the bakery, still the same. Was one of my first and last stops in Hawaii.

[Reid]

Hi Dori,

Thank you for visiting my weblog.

I'm glad you like the coco puffs and long johns at Liliha Bakery. I love 'em too...I just can't deal with the lines! That's why I don't go there as often as I would like to.

[Way]

I have been trying to get a guava cake over here to Nor Cal but have had no luck. Aki's bakery in San Jose has it but tastes nothing like guava. Do you know of any places over there with a good a cake that will ship?

[Reid]

Hi Way,

Thanks for stopping by the blog.

I don't know of any bakeries that will ship a guava cake, but my thinking is that it would be quite costly. The cake would need to be refrigerated, so therefore, it should be shipped 2-day air. If that is the case, depending on the size of the cake, you're looking at a minimum of US$30.00 for shipping alone. If cost does not matter to you, please send me an e-mail and I can try to get a cake to you.

[azn_wahine877]

Thanks for all your kokua for getting a bakery that makes Chantilly Cake. I wanted to have it SOOOOO badly, I went on-line and found the recipe in the Honolulu Advertiser. I made it myself and it was very easy to make. I also found a recipe on-line for the custard filling (I prefer the custard in a Boston Cream Cake). It was a 'FIRST TIME GO - AT THIS STATION'. It was absolutely ONO-LICIOUS.

I also added crushed chocolate toffee covered macademia nuts on the top and sides of it (I had to use less sugar for the frosting to compensate for the candy sprinkle).

[Reid]

Hi azn_wahine877,

Sorry I wasn't of more help earlier, but I am glad that you were able to make a chantilly cake for your friend. The cake you made sounds wonderful. Do you still have the recipe from the Advertiser?

[John]

what?

no comments on their pancakes or waffles?

got to be one of the best in Hawaii!

[Reniel]

what kinds of birthday cakes do you have for a boy's first birthday?

[Jordan]

does anybody have the recipe?

[Reid]

Hi John,

You beat me to the punch. Right after this SF series, I was planning on posting about the awesome pancakes!

Hi Reniel,

Welcome to the blog! Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

Unfortunately, I am not in any way affiliated with Liliha Bakery so I am unable to assist you with your question. Sorry.

Hi Jordan,

Welcome to the blog!

What recipe were you looking for? The cocoa puff one? If so, the recipe is closely guarded.

[Tina Mericle]

Dang it!! I can't believe I didn't go my last trip out!! My son graduated Moanalua HS in May 2006 and I was just there and did not go! stupid girl!

[Luana Sabagala]

Aloha!! I love the coco puffs. When I was pregnant to my daughter my husband and I would go all the way to Liliha, mine you we're from Waianae to get that ono-licious-no-can-eat-just-one coco puffs. Thank you so much for all your hard work and ono kine goodies.