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{ Recipes } Black Forest Cake




This is a kids friendly version of black forest cake. I made it for our connect Christmas party last year (plus a surprise cake for my dear friend). Since there are few kids and two pregnant ladies in the party, I decided to make a non-alcohol version of this cake.

I don't usually make the same thing more than once, because I like to try different things. If I ever make it again, it is either I really really love it (mango sago, which I will post later) or I really really want to conquer it (e.g. macaron). Nothing in between.

Sometimes, I don't know where I got this braveness from, but I always try to make new thing if I am going to a bring-a-plate party. It is not because I am so confident in my skill, this is only simply because I have a reason to make new and more complicated things. It is more a motivation to challenge myself, as I know I will only have one chance, otherwise, I am totally screwed and got nothing to share on the day (my plan B is always take away pizza lol).

Before Christmas, I bought a box of nice cherries from Garden City. To be honest, I know I am not going to finish it before it got rotten. I had to think a way to finish it before it happened. Then, black forest cake came across my mind. I wanted to make this for a long time and I know Mr. Pear like to eat chocolate cake. So, it was a win-win situation.

As I said, I was brave enough to make the cake on the day right before the party for the very first time. I would not have the luxury to redo if it stuffed. Therefore, I paid extra attention to every single step of the recipe. After the cake was out from the oven, I was not very happy as it looked so dry.

However, I really did not have time to make another one, so I still put the cake together and bought it over to the party.

Surprisingly, the cake came out very moist and it tasted just as nice as the store bought cake! I seldom say my food is good, as I was taught from young that this is not humble. But, I just can't help myself after the first bite of the cake... "It is so yummy!!!" I said that with an unbelievable tone, as I knew how it looked like before it got assemble. The result was brilliant and most of my friends liked it! Success! Yes! :D 

{ Recipe } Orange Madeleines



I have heard madeleine for a long long time. It is a shame to tell you now... Actually, I have never had one before! Yes, please don't laugh at me... This little elegant looking cake is the best to have in any high tea gathering with friends.

I bought a madeleine tin for over a year, but I have yet to bake any until I saw this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. This is not difficult to make (only 4 steps!) and the smell of the orange is so attractive and addictive!

My first attempt was quite successful and I was surprised I got order straight away after I posted the pictures on my facebook page!

The pictures that shows in this post are the quantity for 4 batches of madeleines, but the measurement in the ingredient section is for 1 batch which is 12 madeleines. Therefore, please do not compare the amount in the pictures to the one that you make if you are using the quantity in the ingredient section.

{ Recipe } Lemon Almond Ricotta Cake (GF)


It has been while since last post. How have you been? It is almost end of the year. Can you believe it? I am pretty happy with what I have done earlier this year. But lately, my mind is full of many questions that I can't find the answers which makes me really stressed and unease. I seem to forget the basic of happiness.  

Anyway, I made this cake back in August for a morning tea at work. This is my first time baking a gluten-free cake. I have to admit I have the impression that flourless cake must taste boring and the texture is very dense. But! This cake completely changed my mind! It was soft and tasty! The smell of almond was so strong when I took out the cake from the oven. It was absolutely amazing.

{ Recipe } New York Vanilla Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce


I never have a sweet tooth and I am never fond of cheesecake. It sounds very weird that this comes from a person who bakes a lot of desserts. Having said that, every now and then, I will suddenly have a craving for some sweet stuff. 

 This time, I want to make a cheesecake and I have my reasons... another way not to waste food! :D

 1. There are two blocks of cream cheese close to expiry date. (lesson learn: do not buy anything because it is on sale) 
2. There is a pack of girl guide biscuit sitting in the pantry for over 10 months. (lesson learn: do not try to make all the little girls happy by buying all their biscuits on hand... but... I just want to encourage them!!) 
3. There is a box of frozen blueberry in the freezer. 

 I have got most of the ingredients, all I need to do is putting them together. Simple as that!

 If you want something refreshing and not too rich, this is the cheesecake you will love to try!  

{ Recipe } Dark Chocolate Cupcake with Peanut Butter Frosting


This actually happened in August last year. Yes, after that I was pretty occupied with different things and that is why I have been MIA… and I didn't think about this until now - making a good use of my commuting time on the bus. Do I get motion sickness? Not really, otherwise I will be really bored on the bus... haha.

Anyway, in early June (of course last year), a close friend of mine asked if I could bake some cupcakes for her wedding. She would like to have chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting and vanilla cupcake with strawberry buttercream. I know what you are thinking, you must think I must be very good at baking and friends keep asking me to bake for their special occasions.

I can honestly tell you that I am nowhere close to good, but I am persistent and determined. I like to challenge myself and try my best to achieve result. However, it only happens when I am interested. Heh~

I had not been baking back then as my oven was a bit old and the heat sneaks out from the oven. How can I bake a good cake with this oven? Plus, I have never decorated a cupcake! Can you believe it? So me being me, I was freaking out. Therefore, I started to practise with the RSPCA cupcake day and the result was amazingly good. 

This cupcake is rich like brownies together with the peanut butter frosting. Tell me, who can resist such a perfect combination? 

* Sorry, I was too concentrated to make this mini cupcakes, so I forgot to take the step by step photos. 
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