Through my childhood, Christmas meant plum cake, available at local bakeries. With more bakers honing their pastry skills, new-age techniques and cutting-edge flavours, Christmas treats in Coimbatore have certainly come a long way. Their passion for floury delights is reflected in the quality of presentation and the taste. Having been given an opportunity to visit some of bakeries in our town, it is with pleasure that I introduce you to the goodies on offer in this festive season. Prices range from Rs.40 to Rs.1200 depending on the kind of treat.
Yummy genie
The happy bakers at Yummy Genie are Surabhi and Mythili. They have a loyal clientele that favours their baked goods made without using any artificial preservatives or food colouring. They grow their own cherries, which find their way into the plum cake mix along with dried fruit soaked in rum and brandy for a whole year. These are then folded into the batter for a limited quantity of whole cakes and a few batches of muffins exclusively for Christmas. The orders need to be placed four days in advance so that they can brush their special glaze. These muffins are bursting with the goodness of almonds, cashew nuts, figs, dates and apricots.
For more details call 9688966449
Choco Choza
Anbuchelvan and his team at Choco-Choza have truly gotten into the spirit of Christmas. Any special goodie ordered during the season will be hand-delivered by Santa himself. They have a selection of festively packed hampers and boxes. Take your pick from stockings, Santa’s hat and pillar-boxes. They make a selection of moulded chocolates, plum cakes in red, white and green fondant. An equally attractive display is their chocolate Santa’s house complete with reindeer and Santa Claus covered in white chocolate to mimic a snowfall.
For more details call 8220400100 or 7418074185
Chocolates and Such
Aanchal Chetan’s Yule logs are pretty to look at. Made of a Swiss roll sponge covered in chocolate, there is also a yummy chocolate sponge version filled with coffee and Kahlua. The chocolate is smeared on top is smeared for the log effect and decorated appropriately with holly leaves and berries. She also makes mint-flavoured marshmallow pops covered in dark chocolate with Christmas sprinkles, traditional gingerbread cookies and small tree-shaped sticky date puddings with caramel sauce. The flavours of date and caramel make a delicious combo and the size is just right.
For more details call 4210121, 9751012121
La Stanza
This is a fairly new enterprise and Chef Gautam is brimming with ideas for X’mas. Plump squares of jujubes in seasonal colours are available for free to anyone who stops by his café during the holidays. He makes his own mixed fruit jam from a special concoction of berries that he sources. This glossy red jam is smeared over his special plum cake and topped with candied fruit and nuts. He also makes fondant-covered cakes with reindeer and Santa Claus figures. The Christmas treats at La Stanza extend into the hot kitchen as well. On offer are roast duck, roast turkey and plum pudding in a bubble. Gautam is passionate about molecular gastronomy and eager to showcase it on his Christmas menu. Do make a reservation for the hot meals.
For more details call 7373638888
Bakeroe
Christmas trees are on offer at Bakeroe in the form of sugar cookies. Festively decorated with coloured icing, these are sure to catch the eye. Owner Praveena is specially fond of their aged plum cake. A lot of care goes into the mixing and baking and so only a limited quantity is up for grabs. This year, she has also ventured into making chocolate turtles topped with fondant snowflakes. These are fat chocolate-covered pastry rounds sandwiched with caramel and nuts. Her plum pudding is moist and is served in small cups, topped with a white glaze and pretty holly leaves. They are all wrapped individually making them perfect for gifting.
For more details call 6566055, 6556662
Café V’s
Stollen is very popular in Europe during Christmas. I like to think of it as the lighter white version of a traditional plum cake. Vishak of V’s makes a yummy loaf filled with juicy raisins, candied fruit and a generous dusting of fine sugar. He makes it every year just for Christmas, along with plum cake, gingerbread cookies and small mince pies. The mince pie with the lattice topping looks as attractive as those in a glossy magazine. The stuffing comprises of nine dried fruits dunked in alcohol and spices before being ensconced in pastry and baked until golden.
For more details call 4322206
