sweet peek: cake works

chocolate hazelnut crunch

i was thrilled to discover that honolulu pastry chef abigail langlas took over the old mary catherine's spot last year. this exceptionally talented lady of cakes grew up baking away in her family's big island kitchen eventually leaving the islands for culinary school in england. an apprenticeship at the four seasons london followed then abi continued on to france to perfect her considerable confectionery chops before returning to hawaii to dazzle diners at alan wong's.

my first introduction to abi's delightfully decadent creations was through my wedding floral designer who insisted abi's cakes were not too be missed. intrigued, the fella and i immediately booked an appointment to meet the best kept sweet secret in town. at the time, abi spent her days as the pastry chef at the honolulu coffee co. filling the case with perfectly composed desserts and baking up wedding cakes on the side.

one bite of abi's chocolate hazelnut crunch cake (shown above) and we were both smitten. happily, she was game to indulge the mister's request to craft two layer petite cakes as table centerpieces (chocolate hazelnut crunch and green tea-rimisu, shown below). to this day, our wedding cake(s) still receive happy reviews from the foodies on our guest list.

green tea-rimisu

our petite & scrumptious wedding cake! (top right)

lucky for us, an impromptu visit to the bakery case to reminisce over bites of our wedding day confections has been an unexpected bonus. once upon a time that case was tucked in the back of the honolulu coffee co.'s ala moana outpost, however we finally found our way to cake works' new storefront over the summer and it looks like our little secret is finally out.

take a peek at the gallery of sweets at the official cake works website or stop by and say hello!

• where: 2820 south king street
• shop hours: mon to sat, 9a to 7p & sun, 9a to 6p

p.s. my own little wedding cake can be found in the online gallery (or in the photo collage above, top right corner). a very happy surprise!

Comments

[Eri]

There used to be an excellent strawberry dacquoise cake at the Honolulu Coffee Company...on my last trip back to Hawaii, they did not have it anymore...I wonder if she still makes it at her store?

[leigh]

aloha eri! there's always the possibility the strawberry dacquoise was sold out for the day. also, i suspect the honolulu coffee co. occasionally rotates the offerings in its dessert case.

i did spot a few sweets from the honolulu coffee co. menu (like the green tea-rimisu) when i stopped by cake works. alas, my favorite chocolate hazelnut crunch was nowhere to be found.

best to ring ahead and inquire to avoid disappointment.