Cake Run 23: Conti's Ube Custard Cake

Welcome to another episode of Cake Run. Ever tried eating a violet cake before---one that is not accomplished through food coloring? Well you are in for a treat for today's cake run called the Ube Custard Cake. 

Ube is the local term for purple yam and is widely used across many different viands in Asia.
You can choose to eat it directly which is the usual practice in China as you can see different stalls along the street and restaurants selling hot purple yams for snacks. In my locality, it is popularly used as a flavoring for desserts like ice cream, pastries and cakes. So how does an ube or purple yam cake look and taste like?

Visual: Looks like one of those hand gloves with the crisscross patterns, worn by women during dance galas. The white pattern then terminates at the circular curve of the cake, like flowers or jewelries that adorn a woman's wrist. The violet frosting are like window drapes, hiding the ube and the custard that you just can't wait to slice it open.

Getting in, we are met with 8 layers including the violet frosting on top. It is a play mainly between violets and yellows refereed by thins strips of whites and browns. Yellow and violet really do make a good match---just a side thought when pairing dresses, shirts and skirts;)

Taste: Mmmph. It certainly did justice to its name. The custard is just the right amount of sweetness and is the only thing in the entire cake that is sweet. The white cream despite its trivial appearance plays a major role in enhancing the taste of the custard. And let's not forget the main highlight which is the ube. 

The ube or purple yam when eaten directly is not really sweet, so I was quite curious as to how it will make a good flavoring for a cake. Turns out, what the makers did was that they added purple yam bits within the breading so that its taste does not get lost when eaten together with the custard; otherwise, it will just be a custard cake. Every so often you would feel something solid, breaking the smoothness of the custard and the cream. It is like your "stopper" or "humps" along the highway.

Have a Yam-my Day! I'm excited to hear your thoughts on this one; especially those who are from outside of Asia wherein yams are not usually part of your regular cuisines.

Craving for more Conti's? I invite you to check out their Choco Almond Sansrival and Chocolate Tiramisu.