It was a bright and sunny morning when the delicious scent of vanilla drifted from the kitchen windows of Thuy’s house. Birds chirped happily on the branches, and butterflies fluttered around the blooming flowers in the garden. Lala, Xuka, and Chip were gathered on the porch, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement.
“Do you smell that?” Lala asked, sniffing the air with a dreamy expression.
Xuka’s eyes widened. “It smells like cake!”
Chip licked his lips. “Thuy must be baking something amazing again!”
Just then, the kitchen door opened, and Thuy stepped out wearing a cute apron with a big strawberry printed on the front. She waved at the trio. “Good morning! I was hoping you three would come early today. Guess what? I’m going to teach you how to bake my special strawberry vanilla sponge cake!”
Lala squealed, hopping up and down. “Yay! I’ve always wanted to learn how to bake!”
Xuka clapped her paws. “Me too! Will we get to eat it afterward?”
“Of course,” Thuy laughed. “But first, we need to follow the steps carefully. Baking is fun, but it’s also a bit like science — you have to measure everything just right!”
Chip nodded seriously. “I’m ready. Let’s make the most delicious cake ever!”
The four of them stepped into the cozy kitchen, which was already prepared for the lesson. Flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and fresh strawberries were neatly laid out on the counter. There were bowls, measuring cups, whisks, and even cute aprons waiting for the little ones.
“Aprons on, hands washed,” Thuy instructed.
Everyone hurried to wash their hands, giggling as Chip accidentally splashed water on his nose. They put on their aprons — Lala’s had pink hearts, Xuka’s had tiny cupcakes, and Chip’s had a superhero with a whisk.
“First, we start with the dry ingredients,” Thuy said. “Lala, can you help me measure the flour
Lala took the measuring cup seriously and scooped the flour slowly, leveling it with a butter knife just like Thuy showed her. “Like this?”
“Perfect!” Thuy praised. “Now pour it into the big bowl.”
Xuka added the sugar, counting out loud to make sure she didn’t spill. “One cup… and a quarter. Done!”
“Now the wet ingredients,” Thuy continued. “We need four eggs. Chip, can you crack them?”
Chip grinned. “I’ve been practicing cracking eggs with my paws!”
He tapped the eggs gently against the bowl. The first one was a success. The second… not so much.
“Oops! A little shell got in there,” he said, fishing it out carefully.
“No worries,” Thuy said kindly. “Even professional chefs make little mistakes.”
They mixed the butter and eggs, poured in a splash of vanilla, and combined everything with the flour. The room filled with an even more delightful aroma as the batter came together, smooth and golden.
“Now we fold in the chopped strawberries,” Thuy said, handing each of them a small spoon.
“I love strawberries!” Lala exclaimed, sneaking one into her mouth.
“Me too,” Xuka agreed, doing the same.
Thuy chuckled. “Save some for the cake, you little taste-testers!”
Once everything was mixed, Thuy helped them pour the batter into a round cake pan. She placed it gently into the oven, setting the timer.
“While we wait,” she said, “how about we make some whipped cream for the topping?”
Lala’s eyes sparkled. “With a whisk?”
“Yep! It’s a good arm workout,” Thuy teased.
They all took turns whisking the cream, adding a bit of sugar and vanilla. Their arms got tired, but the fluffy, sweet result was worth it.
When the oven timer dinged, they rushed over, noses in the air.
“Stand back,” Thuy said gently as she opened the door.
The cake was golden brown, with little red strawberry bits peeking through the top. The smell was so heavenly that even Chip, who usually had the most patience, began hopping from paw to paw.
“We have to let it cool first,” Thuy said.
“Ohhh,” all three groaned together.
“While we wait,” Thuy said with a wink, “let’s decorate the table! We’ll make it look fancy for our cake party.”
They folded napkins into fun shapes, added some flowers from the garden, and even made a little sign that said “Super Delicious Cake Celebration!”
Finally, the cake had cooled enough to frost. Thuy helped them spread the whipped cream over the top, then let them decorate with whole strawberries, sprinkles, and even a few chocolate chips.
“It looks like something from a bakery!” Lala gasped.
“It’s so beautiful I almost don’t want to eat it,” Xuka said.
“Almost,” Chip added, reaching for a slice.
Thuy cut the cake carefully, giving everyone a generous piece. As they took their first bites, their eyes lit up.
“Mmmmmm!” Lala hummed. “This is the BEST cake ever!”
“The strawberries are so sweet,” Xuka said.
“And the cream is fluffy!” Chip added, licking a bit off his cheek.
Thuy smiled, feeling proud. “You three did most of the work. You’re natural bakers!”
They sat at the table, eating their cake and sipping cool strawberry lemonade. The kitchen was a happy mess — bowls, spatulas, and flour-dusted countertops — but none of them minded. It was a mess made of fun, friendship, and something truly delicious.
Lala leaned back in her chair. “Can we learn to make more things with you, Thuy?”
“Of course,” Thuy said warmly. “Next time, maybe chocolate cupcakes or banana muffins?”
“Yes!” they all shouted in unison.
And so, a new tradition was born — Baking Days with Thuy. Each week, Lala, Xuka, and Chip would visit, excited to learn, laugh, and most importantly, share the joy of making something sweet together.
As the sun began to set and the birds started their evening songs, the three friends left with full bellies, flour-speckled aprons, and happy hearts.
That day, they didn’t just learn a super delicious cake recipe — they made a memory they’d never forget.
