We Tried Goldilocks' Bestselling Crunchy Coffee-Flavored Cake for Father's Day

With Father’s Day on the horizon, fathers everywhere will likely be showered with a range of “I Love Dad” mugs and snazzy wristwatches, but they also deserve a sprinkle of sweetness for their own day. For the centerpiece of the celebration, Goldilocks reintroduces the Coffee Layered Crunch Cake, a bestseller fused with dad’s favorite breakfast pick-me-up with a saccharine side. Think of it as a Thank-You card in dessert form.

If you’re still on the fence about what sweet treat to give the family patriarch, we got the chance to try out the Goldilocks cake before Father’s Day came around. Read our verdict below, including from an actual dad!

Unveiled last year for Father’s Day, Goldilocks’ Coffee Layered Crunch Cake is a layered treat that plays on textures in a neat, no-nonsense, but lush stack. From the bottom up, a dark brownie layer forms a dense base, followed by a smooth spread of whipped cream. Above it sits a light mocha chiffon, evenly baked and uniform in color. The top, however, may just be the headliner: a thick layer of coffee mousse, finished with a generous topping of chopped cashew praline that adds a contrasting crunch.

Visually, it delivers from the get-go, but it’s the texture play that elevates this beyond your usual coffee-flavored fare. The cashew praline adds the crunch and a caramelized nuttiness (think peanut brittle!) that ties the textures together, contrasting with the smooth whipped cream, the softer side of the chiffon, and ultimately punctuated by a firmer brownie base. The result is a cake that’s tactile—like a shift from soft to crisp, dense to airy.

Taste-wise, the coffee notes lean on the muted side, more of a gentle backdrop than a bold statement. The mousse leans creamy over bitter, while the chiffon adds just a hint of roast. It’s less of a caffeine kick and more of a coffee suggestion, making it approachable even for those fathers and families who don’t usually go for coffee-based desserts.

But if you can’t take my word for it, take it from a resident dad. This Preview editor’s father is a self-proclaimed sweet enthusiast and a casual coffee lover during his working days. After taking his bite, he professes an instant Ratatouille moment, summoned with a quick vision of boyhood days, thanks to the sweetness of the praline and the grounded coffee notes.

Priced at P710 in stores and P817 on the Goldilocks website, the Coffee Layered Crunch gets a “yes” verdict from this father-daughter pair.