CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE – A NEW PRODUCT

They cleaned up as best they could and set to work on their final attempt. Whether it was the lateness of the hour, the lingering euphoria from their food fight, or simply that they had finally hit upon the right combination, this batch turned out perfectly. The pastry was golden and flaky, shattering satisfyingly when they bit into it. The chocolate ganache was rich and smooth, perfectly complemented by the gooey caramel center. And the sprinkle of sea salt on top brought all the flavors together in a burst of sweet-salty perfection. Jasmine and Lola looked at each other, eyes wide with excitement. "This is it," Jasmine breathed. "This is the one." Lola nodded enthusiastically, her mouth still full of pastry. "Mmhmm," she mumbled, giving a thumbs up. They quickly wrote down the recipe, not wanting to forget a single detail, then cleaned up the kitchen. As they finally left the bakery, the sky was beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. "We did it," Lola said, throwing