A Remix of Tradition with Abi Balingit
Featuring Pandan Polvoron Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie — a Clementine's x The Dusky Kitchen creation
First, her vibrant style catches your eye; then her Filipino-inspired desserts steal your heart. Abi Balingit is a self-taught baker, writer, and creative force whose colorful, deeply personal desserts have redefined what it means to bake from the heart. Her journey began in a Brooklyn apartment during lockdown, armed with a KitchenAid mixer, a craving to create, and a dream to honor her Filipino roots.
That dream became The Dusky Kitchen, her blog of joyful, flavor-packed treats that blend sweet, salty, sour, and umami, each one infused with her heritage and imagination. Her playful desserts and inclusive spirit quickly captured national attention, leading to the release of her James Beard Award–winning cookbook, Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed.
Our friendship with Abi began at Cherry Bombe, a celebration of women in food, where her warmth and creativity shone instantly. From that first meeting to our kitchen collaboration, one thing has remained constant: Abi's belief that dessert is a form of storytelling — one that can bridge cultures and spark joy in every bite.
From Brooklyn Whimsy to St. Louis Scoops
For Clementine's inaugural Holiday Cookie Exchange Collection, Abi dreamed up a flavor that fuses Filipino tradition with a classic American favorite. The result is Pandan Polvoron Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie: a rich cream cheese ice cream cradling buttery pandan polvoron cookies, known for their nutty, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and bright swirls of a raspberry jam for a tangy, fruity finish. It's a Filipino remix on cheesecake that's colorful, comforting, and completely original, just like Abi.
The Heart Behind the Flavor
For Abi, baking is a way to express identity, joy, and connection. Her creations celebrate the beauty of being Filipino American, blending the familiar with the unexpected in ways that feel both nostalgic and new.
That expression shines through in Pandan Polvoron Raspberry Cheesecake, a scoop that tastes like heritage, creativity, and heart all at once.
Taste the Magic
You can find Pandan Polvoron Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie in all Clementine's Ice Cream parlors and online for nationwide shipping through Goldbelly.
This holiday season, celebrate the beauty of flavor without boundaries — and savor a scoop inspired by Abi's joyful blend of tradition and imagination.
Photography by Jenna Whitmore. Videography by Once Films.