Sinfully delicious!

City-based bakeries and cafes are all geared up to welcome this festive season. Marz-o-rin in Camp has delicious plum cakes and yummy pies on offer. “We have some special variety of plum cakes in store this season. Apart from the regular plum cakes,there are Gelatin Plum Cakes which are very popular with people. We also have eggless plum cakes so that the vegetarians are not left out,says Nowel Steven of Marz-o-rin,adding,“We also have different kinds of pies especially for this festive season.” The preparation of these cakes usually starts 10 days before Christmas. According to Steven,“The rectangular plum cake loaf sells most during this period as it is delicious and is reasonably priced.”

Copper Chocs also has mouth-watering plum cakes,chocolate cakes and fresh fruit cakes on a platter for its customers. Kavi Motwani,owner,Copper Chocs,says,“The soaking of fruits for the Fresh Fruit cake starts three months in advance. We start preparing for these cakes from December 15. If they are made earlier,they just get spoilt.” The other tempting flavours Hazel Nut and Ferrero Rocher. Perfect choices for people who want to experiment.

It seems the city will be treated to a whole variety of plum cakes what with Monginis too ready with the savory cakes. From the rich plum cake to the traditional Dundee cake which comprises almond and raisins,there a lot for Puneites to choose from. Digambar Chauhan of Monginis,Parihar Chowk,says,”This Christmas,we also have Chocolate Melody cakes and Chocolate Your Love cake. Then,for Christmas,there’s the New Year Blush cake.”

Adding a further Christmasy touch to the season,Forennte Patisserie in Koregaon Park has gone that extra mile to make colourful short bread cookies in the shape of Christmas trees,bells,Snowman and so on. They also have Yule logs,Mince pies,Marzipan sweets and chocolates,Hot cross buns and Gingerbread men! Owner Namrata Kripalani says,”We make a limited quantity of plum cakes in advance and for this we start preparation one year in advance. Gingerbread men and the plum cakes are our highest selling goodies.”

For those who also want to indulge in chocolates,Melting Moments has liquor and hazel-nut chocolates. Owner Swati says,“We begin preparing for this season a week after Diwali. Most people prefer assorted chocolates so that they can enjoy more variety.”

Christmas Contest
Christmas is just around the corner! If the festive fever has drowned you in happy expectations and your home has been raided by lights,then we want you to share the joy with us. Send over pictures of your adorable Christmas Tree,in full glory of baubles and stars,and dolls and electric bulbs. The top three entries will receive meal vouchers to top Pune restaurants. So,let the celebrations begin! Mail your entries to: contest.pune@expressindia.com . The last date for entries is December 26,2010. The winners will be announced on Tuesday,December 28,2010.