Magic Cakes

These two unusual cakes from the H.K. Diamond Bakery in Monterey Park seem like the work of magicians rather than ordinary bakers. The Swiss roll contains six checkerboard squares of orange, vanilla and coffee-flavored cakes outlined with white icing and wrapped in a sheet of chocolate cake. Coffee vanilla roll has an unusual mottled finish that makes it appear sun-dappled. Inside the yellow outer layer is a swirl of coffee-flavored cake edged with white icing. Both cakes are light and soft, delicately flavored and not overly sweet.

Swiss roll, $5.50; coffee vanilla roll, $5.25, at H.K. Diamond Bakery, 742-746 W. Garvey Ave., in Deerfield Plaza, Monterey Park, and other locations. (626) 289-5172. For photographs of other bakery products, including Chinese pastries, check its Web site, https://www.diamondcakes.com.