On a sunny afternoon during FMT’s visit, this quaint bakery-cafe was bathed in an orange glow from the sunlight as patrons savoured their desserts and drinks.
“I wanted this place to feel welcoming, like a home,” explained the owner, Michelle Young, 29, adding that the design of her own home served as the inspiration.
In fact, some of the cakes and pastries are family recipes.
On any given day, there are at least eight kinds of cakes, four kinds of cookies, six kinds of doughnuts as well as a selection of cupcakes – most of which are enticingly displayed on the counter.
The Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Roll – a dark chocolate chiffon cake with a luscious homemade hazelnut praline cream centre – is simply exquisite. It is topped with lashes of dark chocolate hazelnut and berries.
Another highlight on the menu is the Crumb Berry Cheese Bread. The brainchild of Young’s father, this rich blueberry cheesecake sits on a base made of bread.
“I remember asking him to make it for my 14th birthday and it has a special place in my heart,” Young shared.
Love a good marble cake? Then you’ll love the buttery and moist version Young bakes with the traditional rich chocolate swirls.
According to her, this cake was inspired by her mother’s recipe, and she tested it with at least five different types of butter before settling on a good quality French butter to produce the desired taste.
“It reminds me of my childhood when I would enjoy this cake with a cup of Milo for breakfast or after school,” she said.
The Pistachio Doughnut is one of the best sellers here. Inspired by a recipe from Young’s father, the soft and fluffy outer layer of the doughnut envelopes a generous helping of pistachio cream inside.
For those with a sense of adventure, try the strawberry milk with matcha cream. There are three layers to this beverage – homemade strawberry jam, fresh full cream milk, and matcha cream – what’s not to like?
The jam is tart with just the right hint of sweetness, and according to Young, is made fresh every day. The combination, although unique, works well and is delightfully refreshing.
Coffee lovers meanwhile can indulge in a cup of hot latte. Chocolatey and with a nutty hint, the brew here is not too strong and is served with a sprinkle of chocolate powder.
If you’re hankering for something to warm you up on a cold day, a cup of dark hot chocolate will definitely hit the spot! One of the best sellers in the café, this beverage is wonderfully thick, creamy, and best enjoyed slowly.
Additionally, there is also a selection of juices and kombucha available.
For the upcoming Chinese New Year, Young has prepared a selection of mini chocolate chip cookies, mini matcha almond cookies, almond oat cookies, and the latest addition to the menu – fortune crackers.
Inspired by the street food she enjoyed in Seoul three years ago, these fortune crackers are crispy yet chewy and come in the flavours of matcha, chocolate, peanut butter, mocha, and nutty milk.
Young splits her time between running her bakery-café with managing Bakes and Inks, her online business where she bakes customised cakes for special occasions.
So, what keeps Young going?
“Every time I pass by this place, I cannot believe that I actually own it. It’s always been a dream of mine and after taking a step of faith to open it in January 2021, I feel very satisfied,” she shared, adding that in the future, she hopes to open another outlet in the Kepong or Damansara areas where many of her customers reside.
Michelle Young Bakery-Café
C-1-8, Aurora Place Bukit Jalil
Jalan Persiaran Jalil 1
57000 Kuala Lumpur
Business Hours
10.30am to 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
For more tantalising desserts, go to Michelle Young’s Facebook and Instagram profiles.
For her customised cakes, view Bakes and Inks’s Facebook and Instagram profiles.