It was a bright Saturday morning, and sunlight streamed through the open window of the small, cozy house. Lala woke up earlier than usual. She stretched her little arms, rubbed her eyes, and smiled to herself. Today, she had a plan. Mom had been working so hard all week, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of everyone. Lala wanted to do something special for her—a sweet surprise that would warm her heart and fill her tummy with joy.
“What can I make?” Lala thought, sitting on the edge of her bed. Then she remembered how Mom always smiled whenever she steamed little rice cakes for breakfast. “Yes! I’ll make steamed cakes for Mom!” she whispered excitedly.
Lala tiptoed out of her room so she wouldn’t wake Mom, who was still resting. The kitchen was quiet, except for the faint sound of the ceiling fan spinning slowly. She tied her hair back with a colorful ribbon, put on her little apron, and rolled up her sleeves like a true chef.
First, she opened the cupboard to gather ingredients. She found a bag of rice flour, a jar of sugar, a small tin of baking powder, and a bottle of fragrant vanilla essence. She also spotted a can of coconut milk—Mom’s favorite! “Perfect,” Lala thought. She set them neatly on the counter and took a deep breath, imagining how delicious the cakes would smell.
The first step was mixing the batter. She measured the rice flour carefully, just the way Mom had taught her. She poured it into a large bowl, added sugar, and slowly stirred in the coconut milk until it became a smooth, creamy mixture. Then, she added a few drops of vanilla essence. The sweet aroma immediately filled the kitchen, making her giggle with anticipation.
As she mixed, Lala hummed a cheerful tune. She remembered how Mom always said cooking was not just about the recipe—it was about putting love into the food. “So I’ll stir in lots of love,” she whispered, twirling the spoon one more time.
Now came the tricky part—pouring the batter into small molds. She found the flower-shaped silicone molds Mom kept in the drawer. Lala carefully ladled the batter into each one, trying not to spill, but a little drop landed on the counter. “Oops!” she laughed, wiping it away quickly.
She set up the steamer pot on the stove, filled it with water, and placed the molds inside. As the water heated up, steam began to swirl inside the pot. Lala covered it with the lid and set a timer. She knew she had to be patient—the cakes would take about 20 minutes to steam.
While waiting, Lala decided to make the kitchen extra nice for Mom. She wiped the table, arranged a small vase with fresh flowers from the garden, and laid out a plate and fork for the cakes. She even poured a cup of hot tea so Mom could enjoy them right away.
The gentle hiss of the steaming pot filled the air, and soon a mouthwatering smell drifted out. Lala peeked inside—soft, fluffy cakes were slowly rising in the molds, their surfaces smooth and glistening. She couldn’t help but feel proud.
Just then, Mom’s sleepy voice came from the hallway. “Lala? What are you doing so early in the morning?”
Lala’s heart raced. She wanted the cakes to be a surprise, so she quickly answered, “Nothing, Mom! Just… um… making something special for you!”
Mom chuckled softly and walked into the kitchen. Her eyes widened when she saw the steaming pot, the neat counter, and Lala standing there with her apron on, cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Are you… making steamed cakes?” Mom asked, smiling warmly.
“Yes!” Lala grinned. “I wanted to make breakfast for you today. You always cook for us, so I wanted to make something with my own hands.”
Mom’s eyes softened with love. “That’s so sweet of you, Lala.” She walked over and hugged her tightly. “You’re growing up so fast.”
The timer dinged, and Lala carefully lifted the lid, letting a cloud of fragrant steam escape. The cakes were perfect—soft, bouncy, and lightly golden. She used tongs to place them on a plate, arranging them like little flowers.
“Ta-da! Steamed coconut cakes, just for you, Mom!” Lala announced proudly.
Mom took a bite, and her eyes lit up. “Mmm! These are delicious! So soft and sweet… and they taste even better because you made them for me.”
Lala beamed. “I’m glad you like them!”
They sat together at the table, enjoying the cakes and tea. The morning sun made the moment even warmer, as if the whole world was sharing in their happiness.
After breakfast, Mom insisted on helping Lala wash the dishes, but Lala shook her head. “No, Mom! Today you rest. I’ll take care of everything.”
Mom laughed softly. “Alright, Chef Lala. But I have to say… this is one of the best mornings I’ve had in a long time.”
The rest of the day was filled with laughter, little conversations, and the sweet scent of coconut lingering in the air. Lala felt proud—not just because the cakes turned out well, but because she had given her mom a gift from the heart.
And from that day on, steaming cakes together became their little weekend tradition. Sometimes they tried new flavors—pandan, chocolate, or even banana—but the coconut ones always held a special place in their hearts, reminding them of that sunny morning when Lala surprised her mom with a simple act of love.
It wasn’t just about the cakes. It was about the warmth of doing something for someone you love, and the joy that comes from sharing it together.
