The First to Celebrate

I was looking for a reason to bake some cupcakes last week. And just nicely, last Friday was one of my sisters' birthday. Too bad that her college break was only until 4th January. But she still gets her birthday cupcakes even though it was two days early. *I doubted that the cupcakes could last until the actual birthday!* ^_^

The cupcakes were family favorite. Just a simple chocolate cake. It was moist and delicious on its own. And even more so when filled with chocolate ganache. I wanted the cupcakes to be a bit festive for the occasion, though butter cream was totally out of question since she'll be carrying those all the way to college by train. The safest choice I managed was the ganache. Even that was not visible. Hopefully it gave a pleasant surprise to whomever she shared the cupcakes with. 

With the ganache filling, the cupcakes tasted like chocolate fudge cake. It got really rich after left overnight in the fridge... Just the thought of it already makes my mouth water!

The day was hotter than usual when I decided that a scoop of ice cream to go along with the cupcake was like a match made-in-heaven. It truly was, except for the ice cream melting too much quickly due to the hot weather. Not that it was unpleasant. The melted ice cream tasted like cold strawberry milk! Chocolate fudge cake plus cold strawberry milk equals to bliss... And constant craving of both after that!

C Is For Celebration!

So what's the occasion???

As if you didn't already know... ^_^ 

We ARE celebrating Malaysia Team a.k.a Harimau Malaya going into the third round! 

Heck yeah!!! We won by aggregate 2-1 against Lebanon last night... *smiling so hard my face hurt!*

Simple Works!

I enjoy making cupcakes. One of the reason for it is the simplicity. I hate having to wash so many bowls to begin with. So a recipe that does not require me to take out all the bowls from the cupboard is always my go to. This one here is my favorite and a crowd pleaser. I made them again for my dad's birthday. It was a rave! Do enjoy!

What's With The Cupcakes & The Weather?

Good morning!

These past few days has got me under the weather. With the hot weather and the haze, it's actually no surprise... We need to take extra care on our health at time like this. Or we'll be prone to all the ailments that entitles with it. I for one, has caught the flu. With the watery eyes and a running nose, not much can be done. Wrong. Guess what I've been up to this week despite the lack of updates?

I Totally Forgot...

I woke up today feeling a little odd. Like I was forgetting something. Yeap, something important. But I dismissed the feeling and went about doing my usual chores. As I was about to go into the living room, I noticed the calendar that shows today's date. 11th April. 

Not As I Imagined

I've been meaning to use the over ripen bananas in my fridge, hence I'm making this not-so-sweet cupcakes with a secret center! Indulge... ^_^

Hot Cheesy Deal : Cheesecakes On Sale Again!!!

Have you ever been to manis? Online cupcake store with LOTS to choose from! But only for tomorrow, that is Wednesday (9/2/2011) they'll be a discount for their delectable cheesecakes.

strawberry blush, pineapple mush: a birthday story

here is a special edition post specially for my younger sister, currently studying in johore. yesterday was her birthday *happy birthday again acik*.. and since she isn't home, i teased her about making some cupcakes. but  of course i'm not that cruel!  ^_^

instead, i make some...TODAY! hehehe...too bad you are not here to enjoy it...*sorry ;)* don't worry, when you get back, i'll bake it for you. back to the cake, it is basically just a simple cake with ingredients that pretty much stocked up in your pantry. not to mention it takes only a little of your time to do it.

originally, it was vanilla flavored cake. but to make it a bit more festive, i add a little bit color, strawberry extract and throw in some chocolate rice. and instead of using paper cups, i baked them in small tart molds *to get them out of the mold requires a bit more patience!*. here you go...cute cakes for birthday party!

small strawberry cakes with pineapple sauce

makes about 12-16 cupcakes (depends on size)

• 1 1/4 cups self raising flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp strawberry extract 
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• a few drops of pink coloring

1. preheat oven to 175 Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Place paper cups in two cupcake pans
2. sift flour + baking soda + salt in medium bowl and set aside
3. in mixer: beat eggs + sugar until creamy and lightened in color at medium speed.
4. lowering speed, add in oil + vanilla and strawberry extracts + yogurt
5. then slowly add in flour mixture and mix until all incorporated
6. pour into cups and bake for 18 - 23 minutes, checking with a toothpick if it comes out clean, it done

pineapple sauce

• 3 cups cubed pineapple *from fruit, not canned*
• 3/4 water
• 1/4 sugar
• 3 cloves

1. combine all ingredients in a small pot, cover with a lid and let it simmer for 30 minutes under medium low heat or until the pineapple become mushy
2. remove from heat, let it cool down a little before pureeing in food processor
3. let cool to room temperature before using

playing with colors

these cupcakes reminds me of the colors of paddle pop ice cream. i love them since a child and still love them! =P i said i want to practice frosting before, so here i was playing with butter cream and food coloring, trying to create a rosette...took a lot of concentration! the result was not exceptionally pleasant, but i think i made some improvement. *pat myself on the back* ^_^ 

since i've been working hard on them, i might as well showing them off. hehehe...here we go!

announcer : it's show time! the beauties are ready for the runway now, so hold your breath...and music, start!

okay, these aren't rosette but they are cute i just have to put them on the line too!

that's all folks! till the next runway show! ;-)

cupcake madness part 2

as i promised, this is part two for cuppy madness. i am crazy for chocolate, but that doesn't mean i shy away from any other flavor. it's like between LIKE and LOVE. i LIKE cinnamon, strawberry, vanilla and some other flavors. but i LOVE chocolate. see what i mean? 

so here, i made strawberry flavored cupcakes filled with meringue buttercream and topped with chocolate ganache and little cream rosette. and LOOK at THE MESS i made when making all these! yeap, i'm not that kind of organized girl. anyway, these little darlings were worth every effort. *sigh...after making these, i slept like a log. :-P 

cupcake madness part 1

another post on cupcakes!! who doesn't love these cuppy little sweet things right? i bet everyone has their own favorite flavor. and as for me, i'm truly the chocolate person. woooo...i can hear them calling on to me already.^_^.  

the sweetness of sugar balanced by the subtle taste of bitterness in dark chocolate...okay, confession. I'M DROOLING AS I TYPE THIS. if not for the benefit of my behind, i'll eat four of these delicious little thing in one sitting! urgh...

as you can see, this is part one. stay tuned for the next cuppy thing! ;-)

craving caffeine

have you ever felt that you crave something soo much that you want it at the very moment? yeap, i bet you guys have been there. little voice in your head keep telling you to go find it; when you finally get your hands on it, your world seems to return to its axis again... 

well, this time, i had a craving for coffee and a cake. it's not one but TWO cravings that i must appeased to make my world whole again.

so, i MUST feed this hunger immediately! quickly... WHAM! BAM! BANG! 

its done. now time to savour every moment of it... =P

oohh yeah baby...thats sums it all..velvety soft, moist, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake.    and to make it seriously heaven, coffee buttercream. oh.my.god. i'm drooling all over again as i type this. yumm... =P

little cakes

last week was my baby brother and mine birthdays. so i decided to bake some cupcakes. he loves chocolate and thats what i'm going to make. the cakes was easy to make and the taste was AMAZING! but i had a little problem with the frosting... it looks perfect after whipping but getting too soft minutes later... 

:-( still taste good though..

anyway, we still enjoy them and it taste even greater when its cold! (i like mine cold from the fridge! =P) he brought some to class on Monday and the classmates love it! success...^_^