If you’re a fan of all things sweet and all things cute, you’ve probably scrolled past those utterly realistic-looking fruit-shaped cakes that have taken social media by storm. One patisserie in particular had the internet going wild over it – the Aurora Patisserie in LA and their delightfully actual fruit-shaped fruit cakes! It seemed like everyone, from celebrity foodies to your average dessert enthusiast, was trying and reviewing these fun treats, and the hype was simply explosive. For those of us living all the way across the world, it felt like we could only admire them from afar.
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Or is that really the case?
Thankfully, you don’t need a plane ticket to the US to indulge in these delectable confections. These lovely fruit-shaped desserts can also be found much closer to home!
Être Pâtisserie
First up on our sweet expedition is Être Pâtisserie. With locations in both Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, this patisserie has been making waves on social media for its too-cute-to-handle petit gâteaux. Particularly, their realistically shaped mango cake is an absolute showstopper. Imagine biting into a perfectly golden mango, only to find that its “skin” is actually a crunchy chocolate shell – a true ASMR moment waiting to happen! Inside, a luscious, fruity and sweet mango cream awaits, because, of course, a mango-shaped cake should taste like a mango itself. While this mango marvel is the talk of the town, Être Pâtisserie also boasts an array of other equally delicious and adorable petit gâteaux – that just might be too cute to eat!
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The Lounge at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur
Next, let’s whisk ourselves away to The Lounge at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur. While not exclusively a dessert shop, their afternoon tea offering is a treasure trove of charming, fruit-shaped sweet treats. Specifically, their ‘101 Days of Summer’ afternoon tea set features some real gems just waiting to be discovered. Amidst the fragrant teas, savoury bites, and other tiny cakes, two stand out for their uncanny fruity resemblance. Aptly named the ‘Banana Cake Planifolia’ and ‘Tropical Coconut’, these desserts were certainly a highlight of the afternoon tea experience.
The ‘Banana Cake Planifolia’ looks like a miniature banana, incredibly realistic, right down to the tiny “ripening spots” meticulously replicated on its “skin.” This delightful dessert is a harmonious blend of locally harvested bananas, delicate vanilla planifolia, subtle poppy seeds, and a rich, luscious dulce de leche. Then there’s the ‘Tropical Coconut’. While perhaps not as “realistic” – after all, have you ever seen a coconut this tiny? – it undeniably looks like a mini coconut! Its casing is also crafted from chocolate, encasing a delicious coconut mousse filling, and, for a delightful surprise, a wonderfully tart passionfruit jam in the middle. All the flavours intertwine beautifully, like a tropical symphony on your palate.
Venturing Out: Cédric Grolet Singapore
If you’re willing to venture just a little bit further, but still within the region, a visit to our neighbouring country Singapore is definitely a choice. The name Cédric Grolet is far from new or unknown; it’s a highly sought-after patisserie renowned for its exquisite and hyper-realistic fruit-shaped desserts, as well as other refined pastries. This is the acclaimed French pastry chef Cédric Grolet’s first, and currently only, location in Asia – making it a must-visit spot for dessert aficionados in the region.
Prepare to be enchanted by their scrumptiously realistic strawberry cake. This cake is covered in a delicate, thin chocolate shell giving way to a creamy diplomat cream, a light choux pastry sponge, a vibrant strawberry vanilla gel, and fresh, juicy strawberries. Or perhaps, check out the apricot cake, which truly looks like an actual apricot has been plucked from a tree and placed on your plate. It features a thin chocolate shell, a rich apricot ganache, an apricot gel, and fresh apricot pieces, all combining to create an uncanny and delicious illusion.
So, whether you’re staying local or planning a quick getaway, these edible works of art are well within reach. Gone are the days of just scrolling past them on your feed; for it’s time to treat your taste buds and snap your own delightful photos or videos.
