Let me say, before I go any further, that I am not at all in to cakes that look like they’ve been heavily influenced and inspired by Shrek’s body colour…but, don’t scoff until you’ve tried this particular one. Read on, those that dare:

I usually do make a pudding when I have a dinner party at home. Well, almost always, (read about the Mount Sinai Pudding Lady here who I used during a recent weak moment) but I am ashamed to say, I failed this Saturday.

My offering was spectacularly and unapologetically ‘bought’. I decided it was much better that I didn’t try to deceive anyone with an almost homemade looking creation.

What was it?

Gula Melaka Pandan Cake from good old Cedele. Not a fan of local puds? I PROMISE, this will make you change your mind. The initially rather scary looking green interior is in fact light and airy and owes its hue to cold pressed pandan leaves (and, I rather suspect, a good dose of food colouring too). The gula melaka is in the icing and adds a subtle, dark brown sugary richness to it all. Crucially, everything, somehow, manages not to be too sweet.

It was a rip roaring success last night, despite its green-ness (if you are still skeptical, you can also buy this cake by the slice, in store, rather than commit to a whole one).

What do you think? Do you think it’s cheating to buy a pudding for a dinner party? Where do you go for your failsafe shop-bought goodies?