Meet Susie and Seema who are the queens of home-made cakes in Kannur

Susie's kitchen at the Red Cross Road near Payyambalam in Kannur becomes a treasure house of rich plum cakes during the Christmas-New Year season. Susie Mathew has been a known name in the home-made cake industry for the last 20 years. It is her rich plum cakes that have overwhelming demand during the Christmas season. This delicious, melt in the mouth cakes cost up to Rs 900 per kilo. Women come to Susie to learn the nuances of cake baking. Susie, who has been running cooking classes, specializes on cake baking. She is all set to try out some unique dishes that would make this year's Christmas extra special. Interestingly, Susie's 'rival' in cooking is her daughter Riya who is settled in the US. In the Vanitha Pachakarani contest held in 2011, Riya had won the first prize while Susie came second.

Susie's husband Ronnie and son Richie, who is in Dubai, are the duo's greatest supporters and critics as well. Susie says that home-made cakes are 100% pure made with high quality ingredients. She adds that it is this trust that has sustained her in this field for the last 20 years.

Seema Krishnan, who hails from Burnassery, becomes extremely busy during Christmas season. Her 'Heaven Cakes' is bombarded with orders for her delicious Christmas cakes. Seema began baking when she was working as a computer instructor in Kuwait. However, baking has been Seema’s passion and profession for the last 8 years. This year, Seema has prepared her special cake by adding the fruits that have been soaked in rum for 3 years. She says that these fruits add extra taste and flavour to the cakes. Those who do not prefer the rum cakes can try her special cakes made using fruits soaked in orange juice. You can even try her delicious sugarless cakes. The regular plum cake costs Rs 500 per kilo. Meanwhile, the rich plum cake is sold for Rs 800 and above. Seema proudly says that she has the wholehearted support of her husband Krishnankutty and children Radhika and Rahul, which gives her the strength to follow her passion.

Those who are looking to prepare and sell home-made cakes should begin the preparations at least months before the Christmas season begins. The fruits that are soaked in rum or orange juice should be stored for at least 6 months in dark rooms. The cakes could be baked a week before the Christmas as they have a shelf life of at least 2 weeks without refrigeration. Delicious cakes could also be prepared using fruits soaked in alcohol and juice just three days before baking. However, the taste and smell of these cakes would not be as good as the first one.