Boba Lava Cake

I’ve always been into baking but it wasn’t until my friend added me to the Facebook group Subtle Asian Cooking (thanks Hilary) that I found my baking niche. Seeing others recreate childhood foods or Asian fusion foods began my unending list of things to bake.

It so happened that my (boba-loving sister) Phoebe’s birthday was coming up (it was either boba or hot-cheetos). I first saw a small boba lava cake by 85ºC Bakery and Cafe on my Instagram feed. It sparked my usual rabbit hole recipe search process: I look on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, study Subtle Asian Cooking and Youtube for recipes, then combine everything together. It's just a long-winded way of reassuring myself that I did the research, so if anything goes wrong, it's the recipe.

I found this earl grey chiffon cake recipe by Openthepantry, now my go-to recipe person.

During that COVID summer, I was either studying for the LSAT or baking in the kitchen. I had a dream of opening a cafe, so my friends (who thoroughly reviewed my boba lava cake and priced it) reassured me that it is sellable. I sold these cakes informally on my Instagram to live out my cafe dream, but it was a short-lived endeavor before I had to fully focus on my LSAT.

And then I did a pop-up at Neat Coffee in Costa Mesa. The point was to fulfill orders all at once before school began. I one-manned baked 30 cakes, designed the packaging, and prepped the table decor. My greatest fear was that no one would show up. I was given the time slot 1:30 - 4:00 PM, but by 2:30 PM I was sold out.

I was SHOCKED by friends who drove from all over Southern California to support me. I’m still learning to pursue my crazy ideas, but a look back at this day reminds me of the people who’d always show up for me.