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.