Best New Mooncakes in Singapore 2014

After munching our way through countless mooncakes, the Six&Seven team rounds up this Mid-Autumn's standouts—new delicious baked variations, indulgent snowskin creations, and more!

1. Man Fu Yuan, InterContinental Singapore Individually packaged in butterfly-adorned boxes, reminiscent of the restaurant's butterfly chandeliers, the new range of Shanghai Mooncakes from Man Fu Yuan features a buttery pastry crust that delicately crumbles upon bite to reveal smooth lotus seed paste. Fillings include macadamia and pine nuts (four pieces for $55) or salted egg yolk (four pieces for $57).

Man Fu Yuan mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at Tea Hut. For more information and other sale locations, please visit http://singapore.intercontinental.com/mooncakes/.

2. Cherry Garden, Mandarin Oriental Singapore Probably targeted at those who love mooncakes and can't seem to get enough of it, Cherry Garden's new baked Oriental Mooncake with Yuzu and Melon Seeds (four pieces for $63) bears a mellow tanginess that helps cut through the richness of its silver lotus paste.

Cherry Garden mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014. For more information, please call +65 68853081 or visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/hotel/hotel-news/?newsType=dining.

3. Mandarin Orchard Singapore, by Meritus With the introduction of new restaurant Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro (taking over Mandarin Court on the 35th floor of the hotel), Mandarin Orchard chefs have turned up the heat with an intriguing, Sichuan-style Baked Eight-Treasure Mala Mooncake (four pieces for $65) that balances savoury Jamon Iberico with peppery ending notes of Sichuan peppercorn.

Mandarin Orchard mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at the Deli Counter. For more information, please call +65 68316320 or visit http://www.meritushotels.com/mandarin-orchard-singapore/sweet-treasures-selection-2014-,specialoffers_viewItem_1281-en.html.

4. Summer Pavilion, The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore Those on a calorie-watch can turn to Summer Pavilion's offering of a traditional Baked Purple Sweet Potato (four pieces for $66) with a pumpkin 'yolk' center. And for those who heck the calories, go for the inspired 'Full Moon' almond sponge cake (four pieces for $69) by Executive Chef Massimo Pasquarelli and Executive Pastry Chef Terence Pang, layered with chocolate crisps, vanilla caramel, laced with Frangelico liquor, and encased in a silver-dusted marzipan cover.

Both Summer Pavilion mooncakes and the Full Moon cake are available through 8 September 2014. For more information, please call +65 6434 5286 or visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Singapore/Reservations/Packages/Detail/Mid_Autumn_Delights_day.htm.

5. Singapore Airlines Selling mooncakes for the first time, Singapore Airlines debuts a total of eight flavours where each set of four is presented in a specially-designed gift box with SIA's signature batik print, as well as a limited edition 2014 collectible magnet with the SIA emblem.

Orders can be placed during flights, online at www.krisshop.com and at SIA's lounges at Changi Airport. The mooncakes will also be sold at Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City from August 7. Travellers on selected flights departing from Singapore this Mid-Autumn Festival on September 8 will be served the mooncakes.

6. The Peninsula Just in time for this year's Mid-Autumn, the opening of The Peninsula Boutique at ION Orchard brings the famed Mini Egg Custard Mooncakes (eight pieces for $56), based on the original The Peninsula Hong Kong recipe, closer to the heart of town. For more information, please call +65 62352001 or visit the store.

7. Carlton Hotel Singapore Taking cue from their signature creamy Red Velvet, the Mini Red Velvet Snowskin Mooncakes (eight pieces for $58) puts together smooth cream cheese paste around a crunchy royaltine core. We recommend letting it rest outside the fridge for a while before consumption so the paste has time to soften.

Carlton Hotel mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014. For more information, please call +65 63491292 or visit http://carltonhotel.sg/specials.html#promotion_earlymooncake-tab.

8. Peony Jade Peony Jade has exceeded expectations with their Mini Snowskin Teochew 'Orh-Ni' & Pumpkin (eight pieces for $62), a winning spin on their popular, traditional flaky offering. Instead of salted egg yolk, the comforting yam paste wraps around coconut truffle centers.

Peony Jade mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014. For more information, please visit http://peonyjade-mooncakes.oddle.me/.

9. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Of the two new alcoholic creations that are paired with hint of fruits, we enjoyed the summery Mini Snowskin White Peach Bellini (eight pieces for $65) most. It entices with fragrant, sweet notes of white peaches before you bite down on the truffle core filled with champagne-infused white chocolate.

Crowne Plaza mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at the Lobby Lounge. For more information, please call +65 68235367 or visit http://www.crowneplazadining.com/.

10. Regent Hotel Singapore Also alcoholic, the Mini Snowskin Manhattan (eight pieces for $56) by chefs from Summer Palace and recently opened Manhattan bar expertly combines rich Amedei chocolate with smoky shots of Johnny Drum Bourbon and hints of maraschino cherries. If you have yet to visit the bar, one bite of this will have you making plans.

Regent Hotel mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at the hotel. For more information, please call +65 67253288.

11. Jiang-Nan Chun, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore With a penchant for indulgence and pushing boundaries—an example is this year's savoury, traditional baked variant of assorted nuts with kaffir lime and BBQ chicken (four pieces for $65)—Jiang-Nan Chun Chinese Executive Chef Alan Chan has managed to meld the syrupy goodness of honey into the Mini Silver Honey Lotus Paste and Yolk Snowskin (eight for $58), infusing that mellifluous aroma and flavour into each bite.

Four Seasons Singapore mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at Jiang-Nan Chun. For more information, please call +65 68317220.

12. Shang Palace, Shangri-la Hotel Singapore Shang Palace introduces a trio of wonderful snowskin mooncakes that's been injected with premium tea. Our personal favourite is the Mini Snowskin Imperial Consort Mooncake (eight pieces for $62) that bears a truffle core filled with an earthy 18-year old Pu-erh tea-infused jelly—a welcomed change to the usually sweet flavour profile.

Shang Palace mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at the hotel lobby. For more information, please call +65 62134448 or visit http://www.slsrewards.com.sg/mooncake2014.

13. Szechuan Court, Fairmont Singapore Adding on to their palette of adorable snowskin series, Szechuan Court teams homely, nostalgic flavours together in their new Mini Triple Treasures Snowskin Mooncakes (eight pieces for $58), where the fragrant water chestnut white lotus paste is studded with crunchy melon seeds and sweet corn bits. Other fillings include rum & raisin chocolate, Baileys, and the perennial champagne truffle.

Szechuan Court mooncakes are available through 8 September 2014 at the hotel. For more information, please call +65 63388785 or visit http://www.celebrationscentral.com.sg/.

14. Antoinette It probably is easier to create mooncake-inspired sweets that veer off from that defining sweet-and-salty notes, so kudos to Chef Pang Kok Keong for his clever Macaron Lunar (comes in box of six). These pretty gems contain just enough salted egg yolk goodness and low-sugar lotus seed paste between moon-marked macaron shells that will please even though who don't celebrate the festival. For more information, please call +65 62933121 or visit the store.