Shopping that doesn't make sense!

[KHONDAHM]

I recall back when the Lotus stores were just starting to spring up, I went shopping for a cake. I bought a great looking cake with white icing. Later discovered the icing was mostly Crisco-like grease! So, next time, I decided to make my own cake. Nevermind that most homes (or apartments) don't have ovens - they were fully stocked up with cake mix (including Betty Crocker brand), but NO CAKE FROSTING! D'oh! So I figured surely it was a product buyer oversight. Nobody would sell cake mix (branded, at that!) and not carry frosting to put on it just as pictured on the box. Well, here it is several years later and still no frosting! Not just at Lotus, but also at the other big stores. Cake mix and no frosting. Uuugh!

I even ran into some top executive fresh from the UK and complete with entourage at a Lotus a few years back and took him to the isle. His reply? "Well, it may be because frosting does not sell in the Thai market.". My reply "Sir Doofus, there are no OVENS in a Thai kitchen, so wth would you even bother carrying cake mix? And if you are carrying cake mix WITH a picture of frosting on the box, then wth wouldn't you carry the frosting??? Who the hello buys cake mix and not need frosting??? Aaaargh!

So, I went to the store again recently and STILL see cake mix for sale but not frosting!!! I feel a shopper rage episode coming on...!

PS - Ok, so I was a bit more diplomatic, but I wanted to tell that exec exactly that.

[Shado]

Even in the states, I would never buy the prepared packaged cake frosting. Too expensive and home made frosting is just tooooo easy! Some confectioners sugar (they have it here) some room temperature butter or oleo, a few drops of milk and vanilla (all locally available) and bingo, cake frosting. You just have to mix a few ingredients together and there are lots of very simple recipes on the web. After making the basic frosting you can tailor it to you personal tastes. Some cocoa power for chocolate, or strawberry flavoring, orange, lime a little fresh coconut, there is no limit.

Believe me KHONDAHM, it is really easy, economical and tastes good to boot. Sometimes I will whip up a quick batch of confectioners (powdered) sugar frosting to spread on store bought sugar cookies or pound cake. For sure, it certainly ain't rocket surgery!

[KHONDAHM]

Thanks for the quickie recipe! I will give it a try next time, though I know I will screw it up. I'm TOO American sometimes. We need our ready-made!

[parrot]

The frosting that Ms. Cake uses on her cakes is delicious. Doesn't have that crisco taste. It's on Prajak Rd., near the 407 Bus stop. All her products are good quality.

[BobHelm]

Tops in the Complex might be worth a look KD. they seem to have quite a bit in the 'home baking' section that the other Supermarkets do not stock...
Tang Nee Soon also carry some cake fillings & toppings, but I am not sure if your requirement is amongst them - they tend to be mainly of the Thai/Chinese variety I think.

[lee]

Have you tried this place KD? udonthani-bakery-cake-t16256.html

[KHONDAHM]

Thanks for all the tips. I will check into all of them.

[thrilled]

So tell me this,how do the Thai's bake without an oven?
I went shopping at places like home pro and found ovens for sale.But not many Thais have ovens in their homes.
I've been baking almost all of my life.I can't figure it out.Is it just Thai's that don't bake or is it all of southeast asia as well?

[KHONDAHM]

So tell me this,how do the Thai's bake without an oven?
I went shopping at places like home pro and found ovens for sale.But not many Thais have ovens in their homes.
I've been baking almost all of my life.I can't figure it out.Is it just Thai's that don't bake or is it all of southeast asia as well?

Ovens just started showing up within the past few years. Hence, houses built prior don't have them. Breads have never been a significant part of the Thai diet, so no demand. The ovens that are in the market now are (from what I can tell) a response to foreigner demand. Additionaly, older villages just don't have the infrastructure to supportseveral homes having electric ovens and Thai kitchens are not ordinarily designed for them. Newer homes seem to be changing that, though. Still, most ovens won't get used because of the Thai diet. I know that to be true in our household and those of friends.