This Baker In Singapore Makes Themed Cookie Tins Ft. Characters From Popular Fairytales & Studio Ghibli Movies

The Japanese sure are creative with their food, as proven with their homemade bento boxes with cute, cheery designs. Usually prepared for children by their housewife mums -  but also a fun activity for cooking enthusiasts - these neatly-packed meals have become an icon of sorts when it comes to packed lunches.

This trend has since extended over to confectionery, with both bakeries and home bakers making fanciful cookies in different shapes to be arranged prettily in tin boxes, often with a theme. Such Japanese-style cookie tins are currently rare in Singapore, but we happened to chance upon a small local business called Once Upon A Trinket that sells them. Here’s a look at their creations, with information on how you can order them.

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

Once Upon A Trinket is a Singapore-based small business that creates all sorts of food-related hampers, with all bakes made fresh to order for optimum freshness. While they have seasonal launches like Chinese New Year goodies and Valentine’s Day sweets, their most unique offering is indisputably their Japanese-inspired cookie tins filled with the cutest character-themed biscuits.

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

What makes these cookie boxes so attractive is the medley of differently-shaped confections packed into them to form a whole “scene”, but it’s not just about the way they look. Each style of cookie comes with a different flavour, including more unconventional ones like Blueberry Milk, Taro, and Melon. Everything is handmade, so imagine the amount of time and effort spent on a single box!

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

One of the most popular picks is the My Neighbour Totoro cookie tin, along with the Kiki’s Delivery Service cookie tin, which includes cookies shaped like cats Jiji and Lily. Studio Ghibli favourites aside, there are also cookie boxes inspired by Disney classics like Alice in Wonderland.

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

Look out for their seasonal cookie tins too! There were two different festive ones last Christmas inspired by The Grinch a la Dr. Seuss as well as The Nutcracker.

Much effort has been put into the packaging as well. Each tin’s exterior reflects its contents, and enclosed within is a specially-designed card that you can either write a message on - if you’re giving this to someone as a gift - or simply keep as a souvenir. The cards for the Totoro and Kiki cookie boxes even come with special translucent stained glass designs!

Photo from @onceuponatrinket.sg via Instagram

Once Upon A Trinket usually does their bake sales via pre-order, and there’s currently one ongoing at time of writing that will be ready by 24 May 2023. Each cookie tin costs $55. Stay posted regarding their latest pre-order openings via their Instagram stories, and visit the link in their bio for their WhatsApp contact if you’d like to place your order.

More Japanese-style bakes & desserts in Singapore:

• Cookie Dokie: Japanese-style deco milk buns pull-apart bread
• Asanoya Bakery: Japanese bakery in Singapore with cute animal-shaped buns
• Love For Wagashi: Artisanal nerikiri shaped like animals, flowers & more
• Okashi Gaku review: Canned cake from Japan in a vending machine, now in Singapore