Muhibbah (Merdeka Kuih Cake)

What's on and in it

• Pandan sponge — made with real pandan leaves, not essence
• Gula melaka buttercream — palm sugar, caramel-deep and lightly smoky
• Coconut mousse — the light layer that stops it feeling heavy
• Ondeh-ondeh truffles — rolled in coconut, the way the kuih is
• Kuih talam — pandan and coconut, cut into cubes
• Kuih bahulu — the little flower-shaped sponge cakes, the ones that used to live in a tin on top of the fridge
• Chocolate couverture coconut shells — filled with gula melaka sauce
• Pandan sauce and a gula melaka drip down the sides

Ingredients: Unsalted butter [cow], flour, sunflower oil, caster sugar, coconut cream, palm sugar, whipping cream [cow], whole egg [chicken], pandan leaves, water, egg yolks [chicken], white chocolate, coconut milk, salt, milk [cow], coconut puree, coconut, baking powder [raising agent (INS 450(i), 341(i), 500(ii))], flavouring substance, chocolate couverture coconut shell, colour (INS 102, 133), gelling agent [cow] (INS 428), tapioca starch [modified] (INS 1442), sodium bicarbonate [raising agent (INS 500)].

Allergens: contains milk, egg, wheat (gluten) and coconut.

Please note: the gelling agent is beef-derived gelatin. It is halal certified, but this cake is not suitable for vegetarians.

Storage. Keep refrigerated. Take the cake out about 20 minutes before serving so the buttercream softens and the pandan comes forward — straight from the fridge it tastes flatter than it is. Best on the day of delivery, and good for up to 3 days chilled.

The decorations. The coconut shells, ondeh-ondeh, kuih talam and kuih bahulu are all edible. The Merdeka topper, hibiscus flowers and pandan leaves are decoration — lift them off before slicing.

Delivery. Free delivery across KL, PJ and Selangor. Decorated by hand to order, so this cake needs 1 day's notice and is not available same-day. Merdeka is Monday 31 August; offices usually celebrate Friday 28 August, so order by Thursday 27 August for a Friday delivery, or by Sunday 30 August for Merdeka itself.

Is this cake halal?

Yes — Elevete is halal certified, and that covers this cake in full, including the gelatin.

How far ahead do I need to order?

One day. The ondeh-ondeh, kuih talam and coconut shells are all made and placed by hand, so this cake isn't available same-day. Merdeka falls on Monday 31 August, but most offices celebrate on Friday 28 August — for that, order by Thursday 27 August.

What does it actually taste like?

Pandan and gula melaka, the way you already know them — the pandan is grassy and fresh rather than perfumed, and the gula melaka is caramel with a smoky edge that keeps the whole thing from turning sweet. The ondeh-ondeh carry the coconut, and the bahulu gives you something dry and crumbly to break up all that buttercream.

How many people does it feed?

20-30 as a proper dessert portion, and more if you're cutting for a pantry table where people take one square with coffee. Feeding a bigger floor? Square Pandan Gula Melaka Cake Bites come pre-cut into shareable squares, no knife or plates needed.

Can I order a smaller one?

The 5-inch Locale Mini Cake is the same pandan gula melaka flavour at a size that suits two to four people. It doesn't carry the Merdeka decoration, so if the occasion needs to be visible on the table, stay with this one.

Can you deliver to more than one office address?

Yes, and it's worth telling us early so we can plan the route. Message us on WhatsApp with your addresses and the date, and we'll sort the timing and the invoice in one thread.

Can I add a message card or candles?

Add-ons are on this page — pick them before checkout. For anything custom, such as a company logo on the topper, message us on WhatsApp and we'll tell you what's possible for your date.