In Trang, some tasty geometry
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A bakeshop named Croitre bucks the ring-cake trend with a delightful square version
The fact that there were already more than 100 cake shops in central Trang – or that she had little experience in the trade – didn’t faze Kwanruedee Boonsiri at all. She and her team came up with something a little different.
Kwanruedee’s humble shop, called Croitre, naturally also has the ring-shaped cakes for which the southern province is famous, much like European Bundt cakes. But she makes them a little differently, and she’s extended the geometry selection to include square cakes too.
Trang’s light-as-chiffon delicacy comes in a range of colours and mingles the tastes of butter, oranges, coffee and pandan leaves while shunning baking soda and preservatives. It’s the classic take-home souvenir for visitors to the province.
When Kwanruedee opened for business several months ago on the bakery-lined Trang-Phatthalung Road – right next door to Cake Tha Pap, which does more trade than any other shop – she wanted to offer a different kind of souvenir.
“It was always my mother’s dream to have a cake shop, so we decided to open one at the front of our house, which saves a lot on costs,” says Kwanruedee, whose main income still derives from her job at Dhipaya Insurance.
“I was nervous about the idea to begin with, but my mother was full of ambition and had no hesitation. I knew I had to support her and try to make her dream come true, regardless of whether we failed or succeeded.”
The square cakes at Croitre are identical in lightness and texture to the celebrated ring cake, but the layered toppings include cream of pandanus and young coconut, Thai tea and foi thong – the threads of egg yolk. You can buy the cake in a box, cut into nine convenient pieces, for Bt95.
Kwanruedee and her mum were lacking in experience in baking, so they’ve been fortunate that their partner, Narongrith Ieadnoon, had an elder brother who’s a pastry chef. He helped with the recipes and showed Narongrith how the goodies are best baked.
“It took me about six months to make my first great cake,” chuckles Narongrith, who has a degree in engineering, or all things, from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, the Prince of Chumphon campus.
“Our cake is softer than the traditional ones made around here and is less sweet, which appeals to people who are careful about their health. We use whipped-cream cake that’s light and doesn’t harden, even in the refrigerator.”
Next up for the team, says Kwanruedee, is a moist mamon sponge cake they’re now trying out on customers. “There are different flavours – orange, chocolate, lychee and pandanus – and it sells for Bt15 per slice. The feedback’s been good, so we’ll be selling it in the shop soon.”
Croitre is a nice spot, simply decorated but with windows all around, yet the customers for the most part don’t linger, preferring instead to pick up their cakes and go.
There is good reason to linger, though – the freshly brewed coffee (espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino), the cocoa and the iced Ceylon lemon tea and green tea, plus Italian soda and kiwi, strawberry, apple and honeydew smoothies. The drink prices are pocketbook-friendly, ranging from Bt30 to Bt45.
Southern comfort
Croitre is on Trang-Phatthalung Road in Muang district, Trang.
It’s open daily from 7.30am to 7pm.
Call (061) 191 5877.
