Johannesburg - As much as I love cake, when a craving hits (as it often does), if there isn’t a bakery or home industry nearby, I’ll happily go without rather than try my hand at baking. I’ve had more than my fair share of baking disasters, and apart from this being a waste of ingredients, it’s a waste of time.
However, sometimes a store-bought cake doesn’t hit the spot, as these cakes tend to be dry as a result of being left out too long. I’ve tried a few supermarket muffin and cake baking kits and the quality just hasn’t been up to scratch.
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked cake sifting through your home, or the taste of a slightly warm, crumbly just-baked treat, so when NoMU announced a new range of nine baking kits last year, I immediately knew I’d be a fan.
Launched in 2000, NoMU has built up a strong reputation as one of South Africa’s leading (and independent) food innovators. I’ve been buying their skinny hot chocolate and spices for years and I love their uncomplicated approach to cooking, as well as their consistency when it comes to quality. The baking kit range includes cakes, biscuits and muffins, with my favourites being the chocolate fondant, chocolate brownie, and breakfast muffin kits.
All the dry ingredients are in the kit, so you’ll just need to add wet ingredients like eggs, milk or oil. There are clear instructions on what to do, making the recipes foolproof. Your role is limited to mixing the ingredients together and sticking your mixture in the oven – simple as pie.
The chocolate fondant kit even includes fondant moulds, while the chocolate and vanilla cake kits include icing mix.
Those who are more comfortable in the kitchen should not be put off the baking kits – the beauty lies in their versatility, and NoMU encourages one to experiment with the kits. For example, the pancake kit can be transformed into cinnamon doughnuts, while the oatmeal cookie kit works great as a crumble topping.
Also, there’s no end to the toppings or fillings that can be used with the kits, allowing you to customise your cake just the way you like it – add peanut butter to your chocolate fondant, or add fresh carrot and a cream cheese frosting to turn the breakfast muffins into carrot cake. - Sunday Independent
The NoMU baking kits are halaal- and kosher-certified and retail at between R28 and R48.50. For more information and to order online, visit: www.nomu.co.za.