The sweet morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window as little Lala bounced in, full of excitement. Today was a special day—Mom had promised to teach her how to make delicious traditional cakes just like Grandma used to make! The kitchen was already filled with the warm aroma of coconut milk, sticky rice, and pandan leaves. Lala’s eyes sparkled as she saw the colorful ingredients laid out neatly on the counter.
“Mom, I’ll help!” Lala said eagerly, tying a small apron around her waist. Mom smiled lovingly. “Of course, my little chef. But remember, making traditional cakes takes patience and love.”
First, they began with mixing the sticky rice flour and coconut milk. Lala stirred the bowl carefully, though sometimes the flour puffed up and landed on her nose, making Mom laugh. Then came the part she loved most—adding the fragrant pandan juice that turned the batter a lovely green. Together they poured the mixture into small banana-leaf molds, folding the leaves gently so they wouldn’t tear.
As the cakes steamed, the kitchen filled with the most comforting smell. Lala couldn’t wait! She peeked into the steamer every few minutes, asking, “Are they ready yet, Mom?” Mom chuckled. “Good things take time, sweetheart.”
When the cakes were finally done, they were soft, sweet, and shiny. Lala clapped her hands in delight. She carefully placed each one on a plate, proud of her work. Mom handed her the first bite, and Lala’s eyes widened with happiness. “It’s so yummy, Mom! Just like Grandma’s!”
They sat together at the table, enjoying their warm cakes with a cup of tea. Outside, the birds chirped, and the morning felt even more beautiful. Lala leaned her head on Mom’s shoulder and whispered, “Next time, can we make more for Grandma too?”
Mom smiled tenderly. “Of course, my little helper. We’ll make even more love-filled cakes together.”
That day, Lala didn’t just learn how to make traditional cakes—she learned that the sweetest ingredient of all was the love shared in the kitchen.
