When Malsirini Bandara wanted to quit her job in banking in 2012, she knew what she wanted to do for a career - bake cakes and desserts from home! It’s been nearly two years since she started Rose Bud on her own - a home based bakery venture specializing in cakes, desserts and pastries. She started small, and by first following a basic course in bread, cakes and pastries at the Prima Baking Training Centre.

Claming that her red velvet cake happens to be the most popular item on the menu at the moment, I take her word for it and delve into a thick slice. The moist, freshly baked cake coupled with the soft, delectable cream cheese is absolutely comforting and I begin to understand why customers keep coming back to Malsirini for the red velvet cake. While I wish I could polish off the entire slice, I know I have to sample the chocolate mousse cake and the peach gateaux, along with assorted cupcakes. Moving on to the chocolate mousse cake, I’m taken aback by the rich chocolatey, and soft cake sandwiched with soft, creamy, indulgent chocolate mousse. Perfect for dessert after dinner, or combined with a cup of coffee. I can’t seem to decide which cake is my favourite – yet!

Lastly, I start tucking into the peach gateaux and I know then that this is my absolute favourite. Incredibly soft, light sponge cake sandwiched with whipped cream and chopped peaches, this cake is deliciously refreshing and light, which means you can find yourself reaching for another slice without feeling like you’ve eaten too much. Even though the cake is rather large in size and seems rich and indulgent, it really isn’t. Malsirini uses fresh whipped cream and canned peaches for this cake, and it’s more suited for afternoon tea.

She sources all of her ingredients locally and says that she has plans of opening her own cake chop someday, where she hopes to sell cakes, pastries and small desserts. Malsirini also does assorted cupcakes in a variety of flavours in addition to simple fondant shapes for her cakes and cupcakes. She requires a day’s notice for small orders but if it’s a large order for a wedding or special event, she asks that customers inform her at least a month or few weeks prior to the event. For more information and contact details, do check out www.facebook.com/rosebud.lk.

Text and pics by Sarah Kellapatha