Ms Skinnyfat

Ok I lied! This is really the last Chinese New Year post and I'm ending it with sweets from my all time fav Tiong Bahru Bakery. It's cny goods with a twist by French baker Gontran Cherrier with three localized creations to celebrate the Lunar New Year – the Pineapple and Coconut Tart; Orange and Chocolate Marble Cake; and Chocolate and Hazelnut Kouign Aman.

The first interesting dessert was Gontran's interpretation of our local pineapple tart - the Pineapple and Coconut Tart ($8.50). A smooth and light pineapple mousse is set on a snappy sugar pastry base, topped with light coconut chantilly cream, white chocolate disc, and a touch of edible gold leaves for good luck. I was surprised that the tart tasted refreshing instead of the cloying sweetness that i was half expecting. I liked this better than our normal cny goodie.

Then there's the Orange and Chocolate Marble Cake ($18 whole cake / $4.50 per slice). Not quite a substitute for the super rich (and fattening) Kueh Lapis but it would feature well on any afternoon tea. The coarse tea cake is full of dark French chocolate tinged with subtle citrusy zest. Flavors are on the mild side but done purposely so to cut through all that CNY richness. It's really a tea cake so pair it with a cuppa to moisten it.

S can vouch that I'm a KA monster and I can never resist getting 1 (or 2) of the original KA from TBB. The specially created Chocolate and Hazelnut Kouign Aman ($4.50) is made with rich French chocolate and has crushed hazelnut folded in. I thought it was more similar to the TBB croissant, with a laminate that is less buttery and thus a slightly more doughy texture and a matte appearance. Taste wise, I enjoyed the moist chocolate hazelnut center which wasn't too sweet. It was almost like a chocolate pain. Pretty obvious that my favorite is still the crunchy sweet original KA. Tip- toast it a bit to make the edges crunchy!

Tiong Bahru Bakery’s Chinese New Year creations are available in stores already! Grab them from now till end of the month (28 Feb 2015), at all Tiong Bahru Bakery outlets.

Of course, since Valentine’s Day is also around the corner, get your hands on the Nougat and Strawberry Macaron ($8.50), a big crunchy sweet heart for your sweetheart. It's a little too sweet but that's exactly what V Day is about isn't it? I loved that cream but not so the sticky chewy center. Think I had more fun breaking these hearts. Available from 9-15 Feb 2015, at all Tiong Bahru Bakery outlets!

I don't think I've done many TBB posts on the blog even though I do frequent their outlets quite often. Even if you don't fancy the seasonal creations, you'll not go wrong with their savory selection. My other staple at TBB is their Quiche Lorraine ($7). Trust me when i say i only eat the TBB quiche lorraine these days. The amazing silky egg custard has chunks of smoky bacon and a light hint of caramelized onion in it and it's amazingly yummy when the tart is fresh out from the oven and still crisp on the exterior. 

56 Eng Hoon Street, #01-70 Singapore 160056 Tel: +65 6220 3430 

#B1-11/12, Raffles City SC, Singapore 179103 Tel: +65 6333 4160

L1-16B, Tangs Orchard, Singapore 238864  Tel: +65 6735 3787
Daily: 8am - 10pm