Sweet treats from home chefs, Part 1

Hey, hey, the gang’s all here. You’ve planned the perfect brunch, and you want to round it off with something equally special.

No five starry show-offy creations that are more frosting and icing than the real thing. Instead, call on these fairy godmothers who turn out scrumptious tortes — and other treats — at home.

Choose one in your neighbourhood, order ahead, and drive over with your goody bag. Here are Trendy’s top four picks for cakes to carry home.

Jaya Kochhar: Sugar-paste flowers cascade over fondant-quilted devil’s food or lemon curd-filled vanilla chiffon sponge. Heartache to take a knife to.

Mala Bindra: It’s her gorgeous chocolate cake that got her famous. A slice is never enough.

Niloufer Dhondy: This saint uses oil (never butter or cream) to turn out addictive apple cake, Belgian couverture-cloaked chocolate sin, and other luscious fruity numbers.

Neeru Sahni: Her praline-encrusted chocolate cake looks as good as grandma’s — until you hit the out-of-this-world chocolate mousse filling. Can’t wait for her strawberries-and-cream sandwich, next on the menu.

You can pass them off as homemade. Because they are.

Jaya Kochhar, A1/278 Safdarjung Enclave, Delhi; Tel: 9818077161. Mala Bindra, 2 Palam Marg, Delhi; Tel: 9811039894. Niloufer Dhondy, C298 Sushant Lok I, Delhi; Tel: 9810173833. Neeru Sahni, 8 Shriram Road, Civil Lines; Tel: 9811511115.
Prices: Rs. 400/kg to Rs. 750/kg.

And tomorrow read about our fave desserts from home chefs, for when a cake won’t make the cut.