Alice's Little Kitchen: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Mocha-Flavored Layer Cake w/ Mocha Frosting

A simple birthday cake that I made for my friend. It's a mocha flavored layer cake with "not-so-pretty" decorations, but my friend loved it, so I guess that should be enough. LOL. Need to improve my decorations skills. I think I'm not an art person then. >.< .

Mocha-Flavored Layer Cake w/ Mocha Frosting
Ingredients:
4 eggs
100g sugar
100g vegetable oil
50g milk
140g cake flour
30g cocoa powder
2 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp coffee powder
2 tbsp warm water

2 cups butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp coffee powder
2 tbsp cocoa powder
4 tbsp warm milk

Pink-color food gel

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two 9-inch pans greased with oil/butter with parchment paper.
2. Beat eggs and sugar till slightly pale. Add in oil.
3. Dissolve coffee powder into warm water and mix into milk.
4. Alternately add in the milk mixture and flour mixture till well mixed.
5. Pour into the well-greased 9-inch pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool completely.
7. Dissolve coffee powder and cocoa powder into warm milk. Then beat butter, powdered sugar and warm milk. Adjust consistency. If too runny, add more powdered sugar; if it is too stiff, add more milk. Beat till the frosting is shiny and firm.

Assemble:
Cut the cake into 4 slices, and leave 1 slice aside. Keep around 3/4 cup of frosting aside for further use. Apply the mocha frosting in between cake layers. Use 3 cake layers only. Then apply the rest of the frosting around the cake layer.. The 4th slice of cake is broken down into small pieces and is used to decorate sides and the top of the cake. Mix the 3/4 cup of mocha frosting with pink food gel. Pipe the pink frosting in a piping bag and decorate the top of the cake. Decorations are opened to creativity. Any types of creations are welcomed here.

Enjoy =)

Coffee Sponge Cake

Coffee Sponge Cake
Ingredients:
2 eggs
80g sugar
80g vegetable oil
30g warm milk
2 tbsp coffee powder
100g cake flour/all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 360F. Grease a 9-inch pan and lined with parchment paper.
2. Beat the eggs and sugar till slightly pale. Add the oil.
3. Dissolve the coffee powder into the warm milk till well mixed.
4. Alternately add the milk mixture and the flour mixture into step 2.
5. Pour into the well-greased 9-inch pan and bake in oven for 30-35 minutes or toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool completely.

Cut it out and enjoy this coffee fragrant cake. Another simple yet yummy cake! Remember to match it with either a cup of coffee or a cup of milo/chocolate drink. =)

6-Layer Chocolate Cake

6-Layer Chocolate Cake

This is just a basic chocolate cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting as filling. A sudden crave of chocolate is inside me at any time. Sometime this kind of basic chocolate cake is the best to eat when you cannot think of anything to bake. The end product will make you smile no matter how it looks. Simple is the best! And there is nothing not to love about layer cakes. I love layer cakes, the higher the better.

Pork Floss Layer Cake

Pork Floss Layer Cake

Ingredients:

2 eggs, separated
20g sugar
80g vegetable oil
1/3 cup green onion, chopped
5 tbsp white sesame seeds
100g cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder
20g milk

1 tbsp cream of tartar
40g sugar

pork floss
mayonnaise

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a rectangular pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat egg yolks, sugar, and oil till slightly pale.
3. Alternately beat in milk and flour mixture. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar till form stiff peaks.
5. Mix egg yolk and egg white mixtures till fully combined.
6. Pour onto pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle green onion and sesame seeds on top of the batter. Drop few times to release air bubbles gently.
7. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or till golden brown or feel a springy surface when touch.
8. Let to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then take out from pan and continue to cool.

Assemble:
Cut into desire shape (square/rectangular) and apply mayonnaise on surface of the cake, then put pork floss in between the cake. Ready to serve.

Very nice! Very moist, and absolutely love the pork floss and mayonnaise, great combination with cake as well! Savory taste cake.

Enjoy =)

Nutella Sponge Cake w/ Chocolate Sprinkles

Nutella Sponge Cake w/ Chocolate Sprinkles
Ingredients:
2 eggs, separated
40g sugar
80g vegetable oil
30g milk
100g cake flour
1 tbsp baking powder

1 tbsp cream of tartar
40g sugar

Nutella
Chocolate Sprinkles
butter

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Beat egg yolks, sugar, oil till fully mixed.
3. Alternately mix milk and flour mixture into mixture till combined. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and sugar till form stiff peaks.
5. Mix with egg yolk mixture and egg white mixture till fully combined.
6. Pour batter into a rectangular pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes or a springy touch on surface when touch.
7. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, and take it out to be cooled completely.
8. Cut the cake into three sections, and apply nutella onto each layer and all the outer layers, then sprinkle chocolate sprinkles. Let it cool in fridge to set.

Enjoy =)

Red Velvet Cupcake

Red Velvet Cupcake

I made this for a friend's marriage. I was so excited for them as if like it's my own marriage. LOL. Then, I realized it is so hard to get a marriage present for them, because they have everything, and I have no experience in what to buy. Why don't use my skills to make something for them since they are not having a big party, just a simply 1-table dinner? So, I decided to make something that shout LOVE! Red Velvet Cupcake immediately came to my mind. Red with White shouts Love and Wedding to me! Hehe...

Wish them forever happy! =D

Tiramisu Pandan Cupcake

Tiramisu Pandan Cupcake (around 6 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1 egg
80g sugar
80g vegetable oil
20g milk

2 tbsp pandan essence
100g flour
1 tbsp baking powder

6 ladyfingers, into half
2 tbsp coffee powder
1/2 cup hot water

Steps:
1. Preheat oven at 350F.
2. Beat egg, sugar and oil till fully mixed.
3. Add pandan essence into milk, and pour milk mixture and flour mixture into step 2.
4. Dissolve coffee powder with hot water and dipped the ladyfingers into the coffee liquid.
5. Scoop batter into cupcake liner till 1/2 full, and add 2 half ladyfingers to each cupcake. Then scoop some batter onto the cupcake until it covers the ladyfingers till 3/4 full. Do the same to the rest of the cupcakes.
6. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

It's something different than the usual tiramisu flavor. I want to try some different combination that tiramisu coffee flavor can do, so I try out with one of my favorite, pandan flavor. The pandan flavor is not that overpowering, as well as the coffee flavor. So, it does not come out as weird. It is just something different, I guess. LOL.

Enjoy =)

Pandan Coconut Cupcake

Pandan Coconut Cupcake (around 6 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1 egg
60g sugar
60g vegetable oil
25g milk
80g flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp pandan essence
30g desiccated coconut flakes

Steps:
1. Preheat oven at 350F.
2. Beat egg and sugar till slightly pale. Add in oil.
3. Mix pandan essence into milk. Pour this mixture and flour mixture into the step 2 and mix well.
4. Scoop batter into cupcake liner till 3/4 full, and sprinkle coconut flakes onto the cupcake.
5. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

The texture is not the best, but it is still soft and moist. If you keep till another two or three more days, remember to reheat in microwave by sprinkling some water on top of the cupcake to give it more moisture. For another time of making this recipe, I will definitely add 20g more oil to give it more moisture.

Enjoy =)

Apple Crumbly Cupcake

Apple Crumbly Cupcake (around 6 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1 egg
50g sugar
50g vegetable oil
20g milk
70g cake flour
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
50g cubed granny smith apple

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Beat egg, sugar and oil till slightly pale.
3. Add milk and flour mixture with cinnamon into the mixture till fully mixed.
4. Fold in cubed apple.
5. Scoop batter into cupcake liner till 3/4 full, and bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or till toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool on wired rack.

The apple cupcake is very soft, tender, and moist. The hearty cinnamon smell combine with the apple is the best combination.

Enjoy =)

Egg-less Vanilla Chocolate Chips Cupcake

Egg-less Vanilla Chocolate Chips Cupcake
In this cupcake, there is no eggs, and I use unsweetened soymilk and vanilla yogurt in this cupcake. The end product of this cupcake is quite dense and still soft. The cupcake has a very strong vanilla smell/taste to it, the chocolate chips are just to add the texture of this cupcake. I love how it came out even though the cupcake does not look that appealing.>.<.

Ingredients:

80g sugar

80g vegetable oil

200g vanilla yogurt

60g soymilk, unsweetened

130g flour

80g chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl using a hand mixer.

3. Scoop batter into cupcake liners till 3/4 full.

4. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or till toothpicks inserted come out clean.

5. Cool completely on wire rack.

Enjoy =)

Healthy Chocolate & Chocolate Chips Cupcake

Healthy Chocolate & Chocolate Chips Cupcake
Ingredients:
2 eggs
120g sugar
100g vegetable oil
80g soymilk, unsweetened
200g plain yogurt/vanilla yogurt(if use vanilla yogurt, don't need to use vanilla extract)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
150g flour

20g cocoa powder
100g chocolate chips

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Beat eggs, sugar, and oil till mixed.
3. Add in soymilk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and salt.
4. Add in flour mixture and mix well.
5. Add in chocolate chips and gently fold till mixed.
6. Scoop batter into cupcake liners and top with chocolate chips (optional). Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or toothpicks inserted come out clean.
7. Cool on wire rack.

In this cupcake, I add in unsweetened soymilk and plain yogurt to increase the healthy level. Anyway, this cupcake still gives you a moist and soft texture.

Enjoy =)

Snack Bento

Some snack bento for me and my boyfriend. I have subscribed from Nature Box, and cannot wait to try it. The above bento box is for my boyfriend. It consists of chipotle spicy chickpeas, sour cream & onion sesame sticks, hershey's chocolate kisses, and mixed spicy chocolate nuts mix.

This snack bento is mine. It is very simply. No time to prepare in the morning. I brought Hup Seng crackers, french toast granola, and 2 pieces of chocolate love-shaped cookies that I bought from IKEA.

I will have more bentos to come. I am trying to arrange my time so that I can prepare bentos for my boyfriend and me.

Till next time! =)

Lemon Glazed Loaf Cake

Lemon Glazed Loaf Cake
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
80g sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 lemon zest
1 lemon juice
100g flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 360F. Grease the 13 inch loaf pan.
2. Beat the butter, egg and sugar till slightly pale.
3. Add in lemon zest, lemon juice into the batter.
4. Add milk, salt, flour mixture into the batter until well mixed.
5. Pour into the well-greased loaf pan, and bake in oven for 45-50 minutes or until toothpicks inserted come out clean.
6. Cool inside pan.

Sugar Glaze:
80g sugar
20g lemon juice
60g water

Cook the lemon sugar glaze in a pan on a stove top, and stir constantly to avoid lumps. When the mixture reaches shiny and glossy texture, then it is done. Poke the top of the cake with fork/chopsticks. Quickly pour the lemon sugar glaze on top of the cake and let the glaze dip into the cake. Let it cool till set.

See how moist the lemon glaze cake. Very moist and lemony! A must try!

Enjoy =)

Orange Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Orange Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 eggs
80g sugar
100g melted butter
100g flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt
40g orange juice
2 tbsp orange zest
80g chocolate chips

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
2. Beat eggs, sugar and butter till all incorporated and fluffy.
3. Add in vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest to batter and mix.
4. Add in flour mixture till mixed.
5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Scoop batter into cupcake liners till 3/4 full and bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or toothpicks inserted come out clean.
7. Cool completely on wire rack.

The fragrant of orange smell that surrounds my house when the cupcake is done and taken out from the oven is definitely wonderful!=)

Enjoy!

Blueberry Muffin w/ Crumb Topping

No one eats blueberry, so I have leftover in the fridge. I decided to make blueberry muffins. It is weird, you know. Many people who do not like fruits will eat them if they are incorporated into muffin, cake, cupcake, etc. That's how I do it, and that's how you can do it too! =P

Blueberry Muffin w/ Crumb Topping
Ingredients:
Crumble Topping
50g cold butter
50g sugar
50g flour

Steps:
Mix all ingredients using fingers and put into fridge till ready-to-use.

2 eggs
80g sugar
100g melted butter
100g flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
100g fresh blueberries

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin pan with muffin liners/cupcake liners.
2. Beat eggs and sugar till slightly pale. Then, add butter and mix.
3. Add in flour mixture and vanilla extract till fully combine.
4. Gently fold in the fresh blueberries.
5. Scoop batter into muffin liners till 3/4 full, and sprinkle crumb topping on top each batter.
6. Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes. Adjust time accordingly. Some ovens need lesser time or more time.
7. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nothing can go wrong with blueberry muffins. The fresh blueberries really make the difference. Don't use frozen blueberries, the texture and taste are different.

Enjoy!

Glazed Coffee Cake Muffin

Glazed Coffee Cake Muffin

My boyfriend does not like sweet foods that much as me. But, there are still some exceptions, such as this coffee cake muffin. He loves coffee cake, so I plan to make him some.

I put another layer of cinnamon sugar in between the batter to give another layer of texture. Next time I should put more in between the batter, it does not show too much of it in the above photo.

It makes me fall in love to this muffin as well. It has the cinnamon, hearty smell when the muffins were taken out form the oven. I added the crumb topping on top of the batter. Crumb topping is also my boyfriend's favorite because it is gives you the crunch when eating instead of only a soft muffin texture. Not overly sweet muffin!

Enjoy!=)

Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies

This cookies is called Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies. Very easy recipe, and yet very tasty. It has a crunchy outer layer, but when you bite into it, the inner part provides a soft texture. I absolutely love this kind of cookies. The decorations are done by me and my sister. Instead of just mixing the chocolate chips into the cookie batter, we choose to put on top to make it look different than the usual chocolate cookies. Surprisingly, I love this design. It makes me feel like a kid again. >.<. LOL.

Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients needed: 1/2 cup butter, 50g sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 20g milk, 100g flour,1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 30g chocolate chips.
Tools needed: a mixing bowl, spatula, parchment paper, a rectangular pan.
Steps: Mix all ingredients using a spatula in a mixing bowl till all fully combined. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the batter into a round-shaped ball and place it on the pan with parchment paper. Use palm of your hand to press the cookies flat. Place the chocolate chips on top. Bake the cookies in oven at 350F for 12-15 minutes or until cookies reach golden brown. Cool completely on pan.

Cookies (2) - London Almond Cookies, Chocolate Almond Rice Krispies, Valentine's Chocolate-Coated Crackers

Who does not love cookie? Especially the chocolate ones. For me, it is irresistible. =P

London Almond Cookies w/ Surprise filling

Ingredients: melted chocolate, chocolate chips, butter, flour, eggs, sugar, almond

Tools: a rectangle pan, spatula, mini cupcake liners, double boiler, oven

Chocolate Almond Rice Krispies

Ingredients: rice krispies, chocolate (melted), powdered sugar, egg whites, slivered almond

Tools: a rectangle pan, spatula, mini cupcake liners, oven

Valentine's Chocolate-Coated Crackers

I have some leftover melted chocolate, so me and my sister utilize the chocolate by coated with unsalted crackers. Since it was near valentine's day, so we decided to make it based on the Valentine's theme.