The "pull me up" cake comes with sacrosanct instructions. Refrigerate the base, bring it out an hour before cutting, and do not refrigerate the sauce, which we have already sneakily tasted. Commands are duly followed. When it is time to assemble, we heat the ganache for 30 seconds in the microwave to get a molten lava consistency. The process is akin to sitting at the edge of your seat before a final goal or watching a thrilling film climax. There are some oohs and aahs when we pour the sauce on the cake, and finish the deed with the toppings of brownie, praline and Ferrero Rocher. Video cameras on, we are waiting for the final reveal. The cake is encased in a towering sheath of plastic. We hold the edges of the sheet and give it a gentle nudge. It slides up easily and we do it slowly [for the 'gram, of course]. The cake is now dunked in the cascading ganache, and one thing is clear: there is no clean way of eating it. We hungrily cut a slice and indulge.

The last six months have been eventful on the global health front, but somewhat uneventful when it comes to ringing in celebrations. No more gatherings at home or parties at your favourite restaurant. Despite the limitations, there has been no dearth of virtual excitement, with baking fads topping the list. The pull me up cake is the latest.