From The Straits Times    |

ROSE PINEAPPLE TART
$24.80 (10), from Old Seng Choong. Order at www.oldsengchoong.com from Dec 26, 2016.

This was perhaps the most unexpected pairing in the list – rose and pineapple – but it worked surprisingly well, with the rose flavour soothing the acidity from the pineapple jam. The fibrous filling was even flecked with pink rosebud flecks, lending an elegant quality to the treat, which was shaped like a pineapple. The overall texture was soft, very much like Taiwanese pineapple tarts.

HAE BEE HIAM LOVE LETTERS
$23 (145g), from Baker’s Well, 35 East Coast Road, tel: 6348-6864.

We agreed that these love letters should become the new egg roll. Bigger and thicker than conventional love letters, these sported a muted red hue – the first hint of the fiery flavour to come. And we were not disappointed. The spiciness kicked in at first bite, with the savoury shrimp paste flavour coming through quickly.

VEGAN COCONUT LOVE LETTERS
$32.80 (400g), from Delcie’s Desserts and Cakes, #01-83, 34 Whampoa West, tel: 6282-2951.

Egg rolls without eggs? Delcie’s has managed to do it. What’s amazing is we didn’t miss the quintessential ingredient in the crispy love letters, thanks to the strong coconut flavour from the fresh coconut milk used. 

COFFEE INFUSED CRANBERRIES PINEAPPLE TARTS
$23.80 (450g), from all Joe & Dough stores, including #01-10 Orchard Gateway, tel: 6702-4656.

The coffee flavour was very subtle – only a very discerning palate would have picked it up. But savour it long enough and you’d detect a slight bitterness from the coffee that adds complexity to the flavour. It was neither too cloying nor tart.

KUE LAPIS PANDAN
$67 (1.1kg), from Rasa Sayang. Head to their booth at Takashimaya Square, Ngee Ann City, tel: 9222-2106, from Jan 1.

Moist, buttery and delicate, this kueh lapis had the rich fragrance of pandan. The attractive jade green shade is derived from a blend of pandan extract and paste, as well as suji leaf extract.

VEGAN MELTING ALMOND COOKIES
$28.80 (50), from Delcie’s Desserts and Cakes, #01-83, 34 Whampoa West, tel: 6282-2951.

Another vegan-friendly treat sans eggs and dairy, 70 per cent of each almond cookie is made of almond nuts. No almond essence was added, so there wasn’t that artificial aftertaste you sometimes get in regular almond cookies. The natural fragrance of roasted almonds was apparent with each bite into the powdery biscuit.