Desserts - Peruvian Lucuma Cake at Sweets by Belen

I was on my way to check out some thrift stores and I came across Sweets by Belen on Hillcroft near 59. What a fantastic stroke of luck to discover this Peruvian pastry shop. My wife, Greg and Yanni had just been dining the night before at Aji Peruvian Grill and having a conversation about Peruvian and South American desserts.

What blew me away completely, so much that I am in all seriousness telling you "YOU MUST GO HERE AND TRY THIS CAKE IMMEDIATELY" was their Lucuma Cake. Their particular riff on it was an assembled cake consisting of the lightest, most delicate white cake layer, a lucuma mousse, and a center of dulce de leche.

I think it is the best dessert I have taste so far in 2018. And their alfajores cookies were some of the best I have ever had, possibly the best in Houston. Perfectly executed shortbread with a filling of dulce de leche.

What is lucuma? Here is a link that talks about this tropical fruit. Just ignore the pseudoscience aspects of the article.

Lucuma Article in Culture Trip

And here follow, photos of Desserts by Belen.

Mexican - Cajeta, Dulce De Leche and Mexican Candies - Las Delicias Mexicanas on Airline Drive

 

(Photograph courtesy of Mexico Desconocido - Link to the article on Cajeta here):

The history of cajeta and the city of Celaya

The story of cajeta is kinda interesting, considering that cajeta means "little box" in Spanish. Now, most people will use the term dulce de leche when referring to the caramel made from cow's milk and cajeta for the caramel made from goat's milk. 

The town of Celaya in Mexico. Famous for its caramel. Most people, returning to Mexico City through Celaya will make a point of buying sweets to bring back to the capital. And over time, the little boxes that the sweets were molded in or packed in became synonymous with the caramel itself. Such that, if one says "cajeta", it is known what you mean, just as saying "enchilada" implies a tortilla enchilada primarily. When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras as the saying goes.

Now, in Houston there are many opportunities to find the famous sweets of Mexico. Most Mexican grocery stores carry them, and the HEB Mi Tienda stores have an ample selection. Also Reyes Produce on Airline Drive.

But for me, the favorite, absolute favorite, is Las Delicias Mexicanas on Airline Drive. A store that specializes in and stocks all of the wonderful Mexican candies, including cajeta in its many forms. If you are new to this sweet, try some Obleas Sevillanas first.