Another Ben 10 Cake

Nicholas's mummy found me through the internet search while looking for Ben 10 decoration cake. Made some variation to the design as compared to the 1st Ben 10 cake that I made 2 weeks ago. Am glad that Nicholas and his friends are thrilled to see the cake.

Hello Kitty and Melody Cookies

Starting this week, baking life is going to be busy for me again. With mooncake festival coming, Teacher's Day around the corner and there was a last minute birthday cake to fulfill. Also, not forgetting my list of ingredients that are going to expire that will add on to my to bake list....Sigh! I always wish that I have 48 hours per day so that I can do more thing. Nevertheless, like what I always say to my gal...."Kum-ba-deh!" I believe I can manage it with proper planning. Below are the Hello Kitty and Melody cookies that I had just finished baking for this year Teacher's Day celebration for my kids to distribute to their teachers... Don't you think they are so "kawaii" especially the Melody.......I will post the final packaging when I have time to wrap them as I can't wait to use the HK goodie bags that I have been collecting.

Durian Mousse Birthday Cake

Made this durian mousse birthday for an order from my "regular" customer :) The decoration is far more satisfactory than my expectation and hope the gal likes it too. Didn't realise I need so many of the cookies to wrap the whole cake and of course I didn't factor that in my costing. Will treat it as a gift from me for the birthday gal!

Pokemon Fresh Cream Black Forest Cake

I have always wanted to try Pierre Herme (the well know pastry chef from Paris) Black Forest cake recipe and finally manage to find another excuse to do this. PH's recipe called for chocolate whipped cream and Kirsch flavour whipped in between the pitted cherries and chocolate sponge which is very different from the standard Black Forest cake one used to get from usual bakery store. The cream really taste light and great though the steps involved are quite a fair bit compared to those standard Black Forest recipe that offer.

I made quite a few modification (reducing sugar in the chocolate whipped cream, added cherries on top of chocolate cream and use another chocolate sponge). Overall the cake is great but find that the Kirsch flavour can be stronger but it is just nice if you are offering the cake to kids.

However, I really need to perfect my skill on whipped cream piping and decoration.

Ben10 Fondant Decoration Cake

When I received a request from my girlfriend to produce a Ben10 cake for her son's birthday celebration, as a cartoon idiot as usual, I have ask my kids what is the cartoon about and the details. Originally want to make a the Ben10 boy face but worry it will not look quite the same as the original cartoon though hubby offer to help to draft the face :)

End up I decided to make the Omnitrix F/X watch and also bought some Ben 10 little figurines to complete the look and also the boy can keep it as toys. The little circle by the side is not a pattern but the luminous sparkling light that the watch will emit when Ben the character transform into different figures.

Through the process of baking this cake, I think I find another reason to upgrade to a bigger oven or may be bigger kitchen! Haha!

Spongy Muffin

MuThe best dome shaped muffin I have baked so far using Alex's Goh recipe.

Durian Mousse Cake

I had baked extra vanilla sponge and was still wondering what cake should I make with that since I have a long list of "T0-Bake-List". However when I saw the durian stalls at the wet market, Bingo! that was my answer then - Durian Mousse Cake which happen to be one of top priority items in the baking list.

I had requested for this special recipe from my ex-colleagues at least 10 years ago. So far, the durian cake made by her was the best that I had ever tried and had been telling myself I have to make this one day when I master the sponge cake to complement the durian filling. Finally, this is my long awaited durian cake. Don't be deceived by it's plain and boring look...it's fabulous as long as you like durian and ice-cream and that's how I can described the taste of the cake. One of the main success factor is because I used top grade D24 (XO) durian for this cake and also the way the durian mixture is prepared as per recipe....so far I had never taste another durian cake that taste as great as this recipe yield.

Green Tea Red Bean Mousse Cake

Green tea red bean is my hubby's favourite combination when come to japanese dessert. Thus, he had requested for that combination as his birthday cake. I like the taste of the Hokkaido Azuki beans though I hope it can be a little less sweet.

To make this cake not too green tea flavor, I substitute the middle sponge layer with vanilla to create that "professional" look....who knows end up with extra vanilla sponge and create another excuse to make another cake which happen to be a GREAT success - Durian Cake!

Chocolate Banana Cake

Make Chocolate Banana Cake with the Chocolate Sponge Cake that I baked yesterday. The little hand is a proof of my son trying to "attack" the cake.

Successful Sponge Cakes - Chocolate

Having success with the vanilla sponge, I decided to try baking Chocolate Sponge and so happen sis-in-law came over to my place to have Mother's Day lunch, we jointly baked this chocolate sponge. The cake is perfect but may be I have been using Valhorna Chocolate in almost every Chocolate recipe...in fact I am a little sick of the taste and smell... also find all my chocolate baking smell and taste the same. I will try to explore other brand of chocolate ingredients.

Fresh Cream Mixed Fruit Cake

Decorated and make this mixed fruit sponge fresh cream cake using my 1st successful sponge cake for my domestic helper's birthday! Happy Birthday Joyce! The cake taste delicious and received great review including from her neighbourhood friends!

Successful Sponge Cakes - Vanilla

In fact, I set myself quite a high challenging task for this year to bake a successful sponge cake without using spongecake mix or any spongecake emulsifier and also had chosen the separated egg method. FINALLY! I had succeed.

Thanks to the baking lesson (I have learnt a few tips from there) and also thanks to Linda from Imperial Kitchen for her tips and recipe. I really appreciate that for the breakthough and with that...my to bake list is going to increase with the new found success.

My First Successful Sponge Cake!

Trying to show everyone how spongy it is!

But didn't know it will leave a dent! :)

The finishing look and I like the fresh eggy and rum smell! My son keep digging into it before I can decorate it.

Princess Cupcakes

Baked this princess theme cupcakes for my girlfriend's gal 5th birthday celebration. Along with the princess theme, there is last minute request for some boy design for the classmates.

Personally I like the castle most and the tiara and glass slippers cake toppers. For the boy design, am quite satisfied with the Power Ranger and 3D UFO. Has to dig out my boy's sticker book for the PR design but end up prefer the design from his shoe...end up have to walk few round to and fro from the table to his shoe to take note of the pattern :)

Was so happy when I saw this tiara cake topper from the bakery supply shop...wipe out most of the stock they have :)

Same goes to these glass slipers...how I wish I am Cinderlla!

I like the UFO more than the alien...hope the boys love them too.

Power Range from my boy's sandal design :)

My favorite knight!

Princess Carriage...In fact want to made 3D carriage with using my 3D semi-dome cake pan but end up find it too time consuming.

Want to post this picture as it was taken by my domestic helper...she was so funny as all pictures was taken by her for this order as I was running out of time since my friend was on her way to pick up the cupcakes and I was still struggling with the last few pieces. Saw her taking these picture and asked her why you placed it upside down and she say she though this is some cartoon character...on second look...they do look like Mickey shapes :)

Baking Class

One of my plan for Y2008 is to be able to make great taste and look birthday cake in addition to cupcake. Although I had previously attended 2 baking classes, I am still quite skeptical about my skill on baking a good sponge cake.

Happened to find out that Gina from Kitchen Capers was conducting baking class for Chiffon and Sponge cakes. I was glad that I attended the class as it really regain my confident for my next attempt. The recipes given were really good and in fact by far that was the best baking class that I had attended based on recipe and learning experience.

I already have in mind the list of cakes that I am going to bake for upcoming occasions :)

Preparation work prior the class commence.

Baking chiffon and sponge cakes with separated egg method.

This is how it looks like after mixing both egg yolk and white batter.

Using piping bag to pour coffee chiffon batter into daisy baking pan.

Using Madeline tray to bake green tea sponge cake.

Ready to bake...

Almost done...

Pandan Chiffon

Green Tea Sponge Cake

Lemon Sponge Cake

Guess what cake are we baking ?

It is not any cake but Nasi Lemak compliment from Gina and Secret Chef. This is how it looks like and it taste real good!

We also had Longtong curry with paste made by Gina....taste yummy!!!