Flashback Monday: Pirate Ship Cake

About a year ago, I made a special birthday cake for my friend's son.  The theme was pirate.  She send me photos of what the cake should look like.  This was a huge challenged for me cos I'm not really good at this. However, I gave my heart and time in making this cake.  I even cried cos I was really afraid that it will not turn nice.  No worries no tears fell on the cake.  At first, I felt satisfied and proud of what I've accomplished.  My kids liked it.  They said it was nice, even my other friends said that.  I've heard congratulatory remarks :-P   Sadly, I felt less appreciated by the one who requested it...I dunno.  On a side note, I didn't even charged her cos at first when she asked me to, she asked for a charged. Since then, I wasn't inspired anymore to make theme cake :-(  

I browsed a lot of pirate ship cake in google and pinterest of how I would go about it.  And here's the result of my hard work :-P

My friend was the one who prepared the paper flag / paper standing.  According to her, it was his son's choice. Oh well...

P.S. the images were just a phone shots.  

Nutella Cupcakes

I let my daughter prepared nutella cupcakes a year ago (late post).  She did the ingredients preparation, weighing, mixing and scooping.  She did a great job.  In fact it was perfect!!  

Ingredients and instructions:

Pre-heat oven at 350F.  Line muffin cups with paper liners.  Combine in mixing bowl 2x large eggs, 10 tbsp / 68g of flour, 1 cup / 280g of Nutella.  Mix until all ingredients are blended.  Scoop into cupcake liners. And bake for 30 mins or less. 

I saw this recipe in Pinterest. I don't have the exact link but if you search, there will be tons of links and photos.  We make this often cos it was so easy and only three ingredients required.  Initially, we followed the exact measurement in the ingredients.  Then for the next batch, I added the nutella more than a cup.  The result was more moist and tastier, much better than the original taste.  You will never go wrong actually.  But for the flour, it should be exact.  Aside from cupcakes, I tried the brownie type, same so delish!!! 

top with chocolate ganache is awesome or melt nutella in microwave is even better ;)

I really love this! I can eat all! My hubby even eat this one cos the sweetness is perfect.  Not too sweet!  

S'mores Addict!

Flashback video I grabbed from my Instagram using QuickSave App.

This was a fun time with my kids. My kids likes mallows and every time they eat, they often imagined the bonfire. Thought of s'mores since we have the ingredients on hand. From that day on, we became s'mores addict ;-)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Choco Mallows

I remember I've said in my past post that my son is a picky eater, yeah until now.  I can only name five food that he'll surely eat.  He is also not really a sweet lover.  Like if he eats sweets - he only eats choco chips and gummy candies yet don't eat much.  He is not into ice cream either. That's why until now at the age of five he hasn't loss any tooth, as in no tooth decay! :).  He wants to take good care of his teeth.   In fact, he worries when we talk about losing his teeth someday like her sister. 

Anyways, this choco mallows is an exception. For the record, he can eat 6 pieces in one day!! So I try to buy it at least once a month :d.  This can be bought in Filipino store.

Macaroon Workshop

I attended a macaroon workshop with friends few months ago, the usual this post is long overdue.  The fee was quite cheap so we grabbed the deal.  The workshop was time constraint and was held only in open space inside the mall.  I know making macaroons is difficult and needs ample time in preps so the workshop only covers on how to make the filling and decorating the macaroons.  We all enjoyed decorating the macaroons.   She gave us the detailed/complete recipe of macaroons and filling.  I haven't tried her recipe yet.  I don't know haven't bake for months.  

Microwave Brownie in a Mug

Was just browsing on different recipes that I would like to try and stumble upon Chow.  I saw one of their interesting video on how to make brownie in a mug using microwave.  So, I tried it at once.  See photo for the result of what I made. 

I don't have 12oz mug so I used 12oz ramekin.  I followed the exact recipe and instruction and it turned out good. It tasted like brownie, the flavor just to satisfy your craving.  A good option for lazy brownie lover like me who at times don't want to bake but wants to eat.  I would definitely try this again. 

For the recipe, you need 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 tbsp water; few drops vanilla extract; dash of salt; pinch of instant coffee; 3 tbsp sugar; 2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder; and 2 tbsp of flour.

Watch video for the instruction.

Day 77/365: KFC Egg Tarts

18 Mar 2011 Photo of the Day

I heart KFC egg tarts. I usually buy a box and can eat everything in one sitting, true! :)) Their tarts are so yummy & soft, it melts on every bite! :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 76/365: Yummy over-load

17 Mar 2011 Photo of the Day

It was just like heaven eating vanila-choco ice cream with chocolate cake!! Yummy goodness!! Best on a hot sticky weather :))

Day 70/365: Caramel Sauce Ala Frost

11 Mar 2011 Photo of the Day

I was actually craving for chocolate cupcake with caramel sauce.  I remember when I was working in Manila, one of my office mate often ordered a homemade chocolate cupcake with caramel sauce for us.  The caramel sauce was so perfect and I loved it!  I was hoping I could make that too, so I tried one of the recipe from allrecipes.co.uk.  The recipe was a bit watery for me so I experimented of adding cornstarch on my last additions of cream.  I've made additions of cream and cornstarch till I reached my desired creaminess.  After it cooled down, I was surprised it turned out to be frosty.  In fairness, the caramel taste and sweetness was just perfect.  I enjoyed the caramel flavor top with my favorite chocolate cake :)

Day 46/365: Homemade Mamon

I tried the Mamon recipe of Panlasang Pinoy. It was fine, its like the taste of ordinary mamon we buy in ordinary bakery store.  This is one of the easiest and enjoyable recipe I've made aside from brownies :)

Day 37/365: Just another brownie day . . .

I made brownie on our CNY celebration, it was good but not that chocolatey.  Yet nothing left the next day so I made a another brownie.  The second batch that I baked was more chocolatey and moist.  I made adjustments and it turned out more yummy.  I just hoped that my Sunday version of brownie was the one I made last Saturday hehe.  

Healthy Brownies

I’m naming this healthy brownies cos I used whole wheat flour and no butter.  For those who have egg allergy, this one is for you.  This is far different to the one I baked before, refer here.  To compare, my old version is more delicious, moist and very very yummy.  This new one is still good, but not that moist anymore – not cakey.  But its not that dry either.  If you try this, don’t be surprise that your batter will be like a cookie batter.  No worries, its okay.  If you don’t like that kind of batter, I suggest you add half a cup of non-fat milk or non-fat evaporated milk. 

Ingredients:

Brownies -

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup fine white sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 5 tbsp canola oil
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup warm water

Frosting -

• 100g dark chocolate chips
• 100g all-purpose cream or heavy cream

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350F / 175C.
2. Add all dry ingredients in a large sifter.  Sift twice in a mixing bowl.  While sifting together, you will notice that everything’s well combined.
3. Then add all the wet ingredients.  Mix with spatula or fork until smooth.
4. Pour mixture into a prepared greased square pan (about 9-inch) and bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.  Cool completely in pan.
5. For frosting, combine chocolate chips and cream in double boiler.  Mix till melted and well combine.  Remove from heat.  Continue mixing to cool. 
6. Once both are cooled, pour the frosting into the brownie pan.  Spread evenly.  Put in fridge for at least an hour to set.  Slice brownies from pan and serve.

Feel free to try this recipe and please don’t forget to send me a note / comment here.  A link to my site is highly appreciated.  Thank you and enjoy! :)

Carrot Cupcakes

I'm trying my best to prepare healthy meal for my family.  I would love to try transforming it to near healthy as possible.  What I made this time was something more healthy.  My cupcake was inspired from one of my cookbook collection.  The original recipe was good but since I'm using different flour,  I made modification on the procedure as well as the other ingredients like flour, sugar, vegetable oil and added non-fat evaporated milk.  Since I used whole wheat flour, I sifted it twice to incorporate air and added additional liquid like milk to avoid the dense texture.  I was happy it turned out really good.  I like the soft texture, sweetness, flavor and the color.  Even when put in fridge, the cupcake was still soft.  I suggest you try this too.  If you try my recipe, please link back to me and feel free to leave me a note here.   



Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour, sifted twice*
  
• 2/3 cup sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
  
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, finely shredded
  
• 2 eggs, room temperature
  
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk, non fat

*For the whole wheat flour, re-measure the flour after sifting twice – make sure it’s the correct measurement. 

Procedure:

Prepare cupcake cases in muffin tray.  Preheat oven to 180C or 350F.

Place the sifted whole wheat flour in a large mixing bowl.  Add sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and ground cinnamon and mix together with rubber spatula.

Add carrots, eggs, canola oil and mix with a hand mixer until combine.  Do not over mix.

Finally, add the milk and mix well.  Again, do not over mix.

Scoop the mixture into the cupcake liners up to 2/3 full. 

Place in the middle of the preheated oven and bake for  15 minutes.  Do not over bake. 

Remove from oven and leave to cool at least 5 minutes.  Then transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely.  





A bonus!  Here’s for the icing…

Cream Cheese Icing 

Ingredients:

• 112g cream cheese
  
• 25g unsalted butter
  
• 80g icing sugar

Procedure: Combine the cream cheese, softened butter, and icing sugar in a bowl and whisk with hand mixer until smooth.  Once cupcakes are completely cool, spread over cupcake.



Serve and enjoy!! :)