Moonlit elegance: A Mid-Autumn Rhapsody

EVERY MID-AUTUMN, SINGAPOREANS ARE SPOILT for choice when it comes to mooncakes. But few names carry the weight, heritage and sheer elegance of Raffles Singapore. More than just a heritage dessert, the Raffles Mooncake Collection is a story of taste, craftsmanship and artistry. And this year’s curation is no exception.

The traditional pastries are housed in a collector’s box adorned with a hand-painted illustration of the hotel’s iconic, century-old cast-iron fountain framed by lush greenery – the packaging is as much a work of art as the contents within. Fun fact: About 90 per cent of the flora depicted was sourced from the hotel’s own estate – a nod to sustainability and place.

The boxes are crafted for reuse as jewellery or trinket boxes, keepsake cases, or just chic storage receptacles. And if the mooncakes are intended as presents, they let you gift with gravitas: You’re offering the recipient tantalising morsels of heritage and prestige, encased in art. 

Tradition takes shape

The making of Raffles mooncakes – undertaken by the dedicated Raffles culinary team – is an exercise in patience, precision and passion. The mooncakes are not pumped out by machines on autopilot; they’re pressed, polished and perfected by hand. 

The chefs lean into tradition – from the satisfying clunk of the wooden mould to the delicate shine buffed onto each piece – but infuse it with modern artistry. It’s a performance as much as it is production, with every mooncake treated like a miniature sculpture. 

And while the baked mooncakes honour centuries of heritage with lotus paste, golden yolks and delicate nuts, the snowskin creations are where the culinary artisans let their imaginations run wild, crafting flavours that are bold, whimsical and unapologetically luxurious.

An icon returns

No Raffles mooncake collection would be complete without the signature Champagne Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$99 for a box of eight). This is the legend that has endured for generations: A luscious white lotus paste encasing a truffle core laced with champagne. 

New stars on the horizon

This year, three new snowskin creations join the constellation, each bringing its own allure. 

The Pistachio & Apricot Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$97 for a box of eight) is a harmonious duet of earthy, roasted pistachios and golden apricot enveloping a smooth truffle core. This is nutty sophistication with just the right touch of sunshine, a contemporary take on tradition that feels both grounded and playful.

SEE ALSO

A celebration of Mid-Autumn traditions

A celebration of Mid-Autumn traditions

The Merlot & Fig Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$97 for a box of eight) transports you straight to the Mediterranean. Notes of ripe red fruits, subtle spices and a mellow fig truffle centre evoke long lunches beneath olive trees and laughter shared over glasses of wine. It’s vibrant, layered and made for moments of conviviality. 

Perhaps the boldest of the trio is the Soursop & Gin Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$97 for a box of 8). Here, tropical soursop meets gin in a silky truffle centre, resulting in a creation that’s bright, zesty and just a little daring. This is for the adventurous gourmand who likes traditions with a twist.

Returning favourites

Some classics are too beloved to disappear. The Sakura & Raspberry Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$97 for a box of eight) returns with its ode to springtime; the Yuzu & Osmanthus Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$97 for a box of eight) offers a delicate harmony of citrus and floral notes; and the Guojiao 1573 Baijiu Black Sesame Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake (S$108 for a box of eight) stands as a limited edition powerhouse, marrying the boldness of the liquor with the richness of dark chocolate.

A premium box like no other

For those who believe that gifting should be as exquisite as the occasion itself, Raffles has unveiled its Premium Baked Mooncake Box (S$228), a true collector’s item. Limited to just 1,000 sets, this masterpiece includes handcrafted porcelain teacups created in collaboration with ART:DIS, an arts and disability non-profit. 

Each cup, inspired by the hotel’s fountain and gardens, has been lovingly shaped, trimmed and glazed by ART:DIS trainees alongside Raffles staff. It’s an act of inclusion and artistry, making every sip of tea and bite of mooncake a reminder that beauty is best when it’s shared. 

The box comes with four double-yolk mooncakes with macadamia nuts and white lotus paste; four gold-plated dessert forks; and one gold-plated dessert knife – tradition with a flash of gold.

The baked beauties

Not everyone craves innovation – sometimes, the heart longs for the familiar. That’s where Raffles’ baked mooncakes shine. Quietly complex, timelessly comforting, these mooncakes ground the collection. The Double Yolk with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake (S$99 for a box of four) balances creaminess with crunch. 

Meanwhile, the Pine Nuts, Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake (S$97 for a box of four) offers a lighter but still indulgent bite; and the shimmering Mother-of-Pearl with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake (S$99 for a box of four) delivers visual poetry with its lustrous shell. 

What makes Raffles’ mooncakes so coveted are their underlying philosophy – each creation is meant to be shared between family, across generations, and among friends who know that true luxury isn’t about excess, but meaning. 

Whether it’s a truffle-filled snowskin delight that surprises the palate or a baked classic that evokes nostalgia, the Raffles Mooncake Collection is designed to celebrate togetherness. 

Where to get yours

The Raffles Mooncake Collection is available from now until Sep 30 at rafflescelebrations.com.sg. Orders can be delivered to your doorstep or collected at the Raffles Mooncake Booth at the North Bridge Road Atrium, open daily from 10 am to 8 pm until Oct 6. Online order collections are available only until Oct 3.

Exclusive privileges make the experience even sweeter. From now until Sep 30, Amex, Citi, DBS, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, Standard Chartered and UOB cardholders can all enjoy 20 per cent off online orders. In-store shoppers can get 15 per cent off from Sep 1 to 21, and 10 per cent off from Sep 22 to Oct 3 (excluding limited editions and the Premium Box).