Culinography: Momofuku Cake In My Purse

I know this piece of cake doesn't look so hot, but to be fair, it's been through a lot.

Last weekend I was at a house party in Williamsburg. It was still Passover, so I was having wine instead of beer, cheese with no crackers and trying not to look at the cookies. I'd been going through a week of this, and there were only two days left. I MISSED BREAD! As if things couldn't get any worse, in walks a box with the words "MOMOFUKU BANANA CAKE" written in bold font.

Oh dear God, let my people free! I can hardly remember the conversations I had after that point--the only thing on my mind was that banana cake on the table two feet away. People kept eating it and exclaiming "OH, WOW! Who brought this cake?"

I mean, I am really into dessert. I have read about Christina Tosi for years and somehow never tried her goods. This was just too much for me to handle. It was a huge cake and after at least an hour, two thirds of it was still left and it was time for me to leave. I thought about cutting a piece, putting it on a plate, asking for saran wrap and taking it home. But that's rude, I would never do that. So instead, I cut a piece, put it on a large napkin, walked to a corner as if I was going to sit and eat it, and then shoved it in my purse.

I felt bad about it (but only a little). I don't think anyone saw. As I said goodbye to the host, I felt compelled to confess and told her I'd put a piece of Momofuku cake in my purse. I think she thought I was joking or something. I was exhausted after the very long journey home to Park Slope that night and went straight to bed when I got home. Sunday morning I awoke and sat straight up in bed. MY CAKE! It spent a whole night in my purse! Ah, well, I thought. It survived David Chang's kitchen and a subway ride to Williamsburg--I'm sure a night in the ol' bag wouldn't do much harm. In it went into the fridge till Monday night.

I broke Passover Monday evening with a plate of mussels and a lovely pork loin at The Kingswood (and of course I ordered dessert, too). Then I came home as quickly as I could and went straight for the fridge. This cake. THIS CAKE! Holy guacamole!

I'm pretty sure that even had I not been deprived of baked goods for a week, this would have been just as impressive. In fact, I'm sure of it. This stuff was OFF THE HOOK! I yelled from the kitchen. You have GOT to try this! Seriously--so moist and carmelly and these great, GREAT crunchy bits.

I managed to saved the mister a bite. A small one.

Photo by Erin Gleeson.