Christmas is just around the corner and its time to indulge in some serious baking. Jew Street at Padma Junction also known as the ‘baker’s haven’ is buzzing with energy as Kochi gears up for the season. Until a couple of years ago, half your baking tools needed to be imported or ordered online but now the scene has changed dramatically. So here’s what you need to look out for that perfect piece of cake.
Baking equipmentWhile most of the leading appliance stores offer microwave ovens, OTGs, blenders and mixers, imported ones such as the ‘KitchenAid’ stand mixers, hand mixers and blenders are available at Gourmet Kitchens, Vytilla. Staines Trading Co. and Bakers Traders at Jew street have all kinds of cooking and baking tools, accessories, ingredients and other equipments like the digital weighing machines or cooking torch for caramelising cakes or desserts. Online stores like ccdsshop.com, thehomelabel.com, pepperfry.com offer branded and high-end baking essentials like cutwork cake stands, glass cloches and oven thermometers.
Moulds“Paper moulds or liners are relatively new and these are available for both cakes and cupcakes. They come in various shapes, colours, prints, sizes and also in Christmas-related themes like the tree, snowman, Santa and the star,” says Giby Antony of Staines Trading Co. Their highlight being that these are used as ‘bake and serve’. You can bake your cakes, serve them in it, transport them or better still, gift them. You could cover the baked product with a plastic film or fancy printed paper for that extra gloss.
Another option is the silicone mould which serves dual purpose of baking and freezing. It can be used in baking in a hot oven or as a mould for frozen desserts or chocolates.
The non sticky texture makes it easy to demould your cake and easy to clean. Online sites like fabfurnish.com, ebay India and gourmetco.in offer exotic patterns like the sunflower, dahlia or tulip muffin trays, gingerbread man, poker, star and angel shaped silicone moulds.
The traditional tin moulds and non-stick baking trays are equally popular.
Icing tools“The accessibility and cost effectiveness of Chinese and Taiwan made baking tools and accessories have made baking very simple and relatively less expensive,” says Anitha Issac, founder of Manna Cookery School, Palarivattom. The choice of icing tools available in the market today is truly fascinating. Staines offers intricate embroidery lace moulds with delicate floral patterns that look absolutely professional and can be used as borders on your cake. Lace mats also offer a similar effect.
“The fondant tool set, textured or impression mats and rolling pins are some of the other hot picks. The tool set has various tools that aid in moulding flowers or characters and carving out the finer details. The textured mats or rolling pins form a pattern on the fondant that can be used to cover the entire cake,” says a sales executive at Bakers Traders. Cookie cutters shaped like Santa, gingerbread man, Christmas tree, snowman and star are high on demand.
Apart from fondant moulds of infants, angels and bridal couples, readymade fondant and gumpaste are also available. For butter icing, there is a frosting decoration pen set to do different patterns and turn tables, on which you can place the cake and turn it around for smooth icing.
Sprinkles and sparklesGold, silver and metallic ice blue stars are the trendsetters this season.
The best part being that these are edible. Other colourful sprinkles of different shapes like flowers, hearts, smilies, butterflies, stars, holly leaves, pearls and flying saucers are also available. “Shades of gold, silver, bronze, copper and pearl are new additions in food colour. Other introductions are air brush colours used for air brushing cakes and oil based colours used in chocolates. Edible pearl sprays lend a ‘varnished’ or ‘pearly’ effect to your cake and flowers”, says Anitha Issac. Non edible decorative cake toppers like the holly leaves, Santa, flowers, ribbons, Disney characters and bridal couples are other favourites.
IngredientsThe ingredients used for the traditional fruit cake have also evolved into an exotic assortment of dried fruits like the dried strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, prunes and kiwi. Although these are high on pricing, they score high on the taste factor. Bakers Traders offers decorative gift boxes which can be used for gifting these baked treats. From flour to sparkles, everything you need is right here in Kochi. So this Christmas, get set to churn out some lip-smacking goodies from your own kitchen. Happy Baking!
