A couple of weeks ago I received a very exciting email asking if I’d be interested in becoming the ‘cake lady’ for a small but well renowned Mexican restaurant in Cambridge…Nanna Mexico.
Since it opened in 2005, Nanna Mexico has built a name for itself amongst Cambridge food lovers and students alike (not that students aren’t food lovers ;). Owner, Luis, has brought the fresh and vibrant flavours of Mexico to the streets of Cambridge and is passionate about providing ‘a healthy, affordable and delicious alternative to traditional fast foods.’ Their Big Ass Burrito is particularly revered! If you’re mouth is watering at the thought, you should check their menu out here.
So, not having yet ventured into the realms of Mexican baking, I set about some serious research and cake trials. I spent a very happy Monday testing a Tres Leches cake…a sponge cake that has a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk and double cream drizzled over it as soon as it’s taken out of the oven, so wrong it’s right!…
a densely gooey mango and cardamom cake…
and a traditional Pan de Elote or sweetcorn cake to you and me :)…
I know it sounds a bit strange but believe me, the combo of pureed sweetcorn and condensed milk is a real winner and creates a deliciously sweet, moist cake.
I packed up a sample box of my cakes and took them to Luis for a taste test…
I was really interested to hear his feedback and to find out whether I’d passed the Mexican cake test. I watched nervously as he tried all three cakes and was extremely relieved to see his face break into a smile. I was even happier to hear that the flavours took him right back to his youth and the cakes his Grandma used to make!
The Pan de Elote was his favourite and it’s the first cake that I’ll be supplying to Nanna Mexico, this very afternoon!
It may not be your usual Viccy sponge but why not be adventurous and try a slice of traditional Mexican cake to satisfy that sweet craving after your burrito or quesadilla?
Each week I’ll be making a new cake, some will be traditional Mexican numbers and some will be British classics with a Mexican twist…that’s all I’m going to say for now…it’s good to keep you guessing!
Afternoon Tease 