The Peppermint Chocolate Cake

So I did it again. Another chocolate cake ! This time it is a whole new spin with a hint of peppermint. I had to take a drive to a few shops selling baking goods searching for the peppermint extract which at last blessed me with a peppermint paste. The only thing which went wrong was the chocolate ganache which ended up pretty thick and a little too much messing with the final look of the cake. Well things happen, right?

So the recipe is as follows;

The peppermint chocolate cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup  sugar

• ¾ cup cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1½ teaspoons baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

• 3/4 cup evaporated milk

• ½ cup Butter (softened)

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup chopped almond

• 1 teaspoon peppermint paste

• 1 cup boiling water
  

• Pre-heat oven at 160 C. Grease and line 2 8 inch baking pans.

• Sift all the dry ingredient in a large bowl

• Cream butter and sugar with a mixer 

• Add eggs (one after another), vanilla extract and peppermint paste and beat till well-combined

• Using a spatula fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk for 3 batches.

• Turn your mixer at high speed and slowly pour the boiling water and mix for about 30 secs

• Pour the batter into the pans equally and bake for 30-40 minutes

The Peppermint Buttercream frosting

• 1 cup butter ( softened)

• 2-3 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint paste

• a drop of green colouring ( if desired)

• 2 tablespoons evaporated milk

• Cream butter till pale

• Add the sugar 1/2 cup for each addition and beat at high speed while alternating with a little milk

• Add some colour if you feel the paste is not green enough

Chocolate ganache ( linked)

Frost your cake and let it chill before pouring the ganache! Don't be too generous :p
You may decorate your cake with chopped nuts like I did or chocolate rice would be a great combination too with the peppermint flavour of the cake. Be creative!

Renuka G

No-Bake Nutella Cheesecake

Another successful no-bake cheesecake after the oreo-version the other day! This time it is all about nutella. I think it is one of the greatest creations by mankind which I could have every single day if only I'm not so much of a fitness freak. The recipe is actually pretty easy and quick except for the 6 hours of leaving the cake to chill and set. Trust me, I seriously lacked patience on this one.

The Recipe

Ingredients

140 g Butter (melted)

250 g Digestive biscuits (crushed)

450 g Cream cheese

250 ml Heavy Cream (chilled till it's time to use)

60 g Icing Sugar (sifted)

2 Tablespoons Nutella 

Vanilla Extract

4 Ferrero Rocher (chopped) + 3 for decorating (optional)

Chopped Hazelnuts

Steps

• For the biscuit crust, pulse digestive biscuits and the melted butter in a mixer or food processor.
• Spread evenly on a springform pan, leave to chill
• Cream the cheese and icing sugar until well combined
• In a separate bowl beat the cream and vanilla extract until soft peaks are formed. 
• Fold the cream into the cheese mixture with a rubber spatula
• Add the chopped chocolates and 2 tablespoons of nutella, fold again
• Pour the mixture into the pan with the crust.
• Chill for about 6 hours before decorating

I used about 4 tablespoons of nutella which I melted using the microwave at high for 20 seconds as a ganache.Then some chopped hazelnuts and chocolates. 

It  tasted heavenly!!!

Steamed Chocolate Cake with Chopped Almonds

Nothing can be as heavenly as a moist chocolate cake. Even better, when it is steamed and coated with a rich,creamy chocolate ganache. Next level! Today I will share with you my favorite steamed moist chocolate cake recipe.  This is definitely a keeper!

The Cake

Ingredients

180g  Butter or vegetable oil spread
100g Sugar200g Evaporated milk100g All purpose flour50g Cocoa powder
30 g chopped almonds1/2 tsp Baking powder1/2 tsp Baking soda
Vanilla Extract

2 eggs

Steps

• Sieve all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and add the almonds.

• Add butter, sugar, evaporated milk and vanilla extract  in a pan. Stir over low heat until well combined. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

• Once the mixture is warm enough to touch, add the eggs and whisk.

• Add the mixture to the sieved dry ingredients and fold.

• Steam for 45 minutes and cool it before spreading the ganache.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

125 ml UHT whipping cream
130 g Semi sweet/ dark chocolate

Steps

• Heat the cream to a simmer 

• pour it  on the chocolate  and stir well until a smooth ganache is formed.
  

You may decorate your cake with almond flakes, chocolate rice or fresh berries. I used almonds and glazed strawberries.

Renuka G

Mexican Coffee Bun

I recently privatized my main blog because I am and will remain busy for some time but I always have time for a little baking  experiment hence, this blog shall remain active. Today in my kitchen it was smelling all coffee and cinnamon. I baked the famous mexican coffee bun or better known as Rotiboy/ Pappa Roti.

This is my second attempt making the sweet buns. The previous time I used all purpose flour instead of bread flour which produced buns that were hard in texture. Today they were fluffy, soft and just nice. 

You will have to start with the topping and refrigerate it before making the dough for the bun. The filling is so simple that all you have to do is cut butter into 10 g cubes and freeze them.  

The recipe is as follows:

The cinammon-coffee Topping ( for 10, 55 g coffee buns)

Ingredients
100 g softened butter
60 g icing sugar1 egg plus another half ( do the division :p)1 tbsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp watersprinkle of ground cinnamon100 g all-purpose flour

• Mix butter and sugar until creamy

• Add the eggs gradually followed by the coffee mix and cinnamon

• Sift the flour into the bowl and mix at low speed till well combined

• Refrigerate the topping 

The bun ( yields 10 medium sized buns)

Ingredients
250 g bread flour
10 g milk powder (any brand)
35 g castor sugar
4 g instant yeast
half lightly beaten egg ( use the one left from the topping)
135 g lukewarm water
35 g softened butter

Steps

• Sift and mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl
• Add the egg and water, beat at medium speed till well combined
• Add butter and knead till a soft dough forms
• Shape them into 55 g balls and set aside for 10 minutes
• Flatten the balls to add the cubed butter (filing) and gather the edges, pinching to seal.
• Place the balls on a greased baking tray and leave for 45 minutes allowing the yeast to proof.
• Pre heat the oven at 190 C
• Pipe the topping on top of the buns
  
• Bake the buns for 15-18 minutes

Best eaten the day itself while they are still warm (not too hot). Enjoy the buns and also the smell of the whole house!

Renuka G

Baked Curry Puffs

If you are a Malaysian, you got to love curry puffs. They are the irresistible crispy pastry filled with curried potatoes or chicken enjoyed for either breakfast or tea. There are two versions to it. One being the deep fried curry puffs while the other is the baked curry puffs. They are both mouth watering but I love the baked ones more because of the buttery pastry crust. It's just next level, you know?

I have made baked curry puffs or what they call as empanadas a few times before. However, it lacked the crisp and was too crumbly like apple pie crust. That was till I found this recipe which gave me the desired texture and tasted equally yummy.

The Recipe (yields 16 medium curry puffs)

Ingredients

3 cups All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Butter (frozen then shredded)
1 Medium Egg (lightly beaten)
5 Tbs Ice Cold Water ( or as required to bind the dough)
A pinch of Salt

Egg-wash for a brown crust : 1 lightly beaten egg

Method

• Sift flour into a large bowl
• Add the egg and salt, shred the frozen butter using a grater and mix with your hand.
• Once a clumpy dough forms, add the cold water a tablespoon at a time until the dough is firm and doesn't stick to the sides.
• Wrap the dough using a cling film and chill for 30 mins or till ready to be used.
• Shape the curry puffs , insert the filling (less is more), brush the egg wash on top and chill for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the fridge and brush the pastry with egg wash one more time.
• Bake in a 190 C preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.

The filling is curried potato and I added wedges of hard boiled egg because it goes well with the baked pastry taste. Instead of curry leaves, I put in chopped coriander once I off the heat for it gives an extra kick with the fresh smell. Otherwise, it's just a normal curried potato with chopped onions, chillies, coriander power, Chili powder and some salt. I don't really have a recipe that I follow , mostly eye-ball everything and cook!

Let the filling cool at temperature before shaping the curry puffs. Always make sure the pastry dough is chilled. Don't keep at temperature for long as it will affect the texture of the curry puff crust.

Renuka G

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake

Today I finally made the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake! It's a rich flourless chocolate cake with creamy mousse layers. You cannot have more than one slice for you will savor each bite of the single piece like a trip to heaven.

I usually make modifications from a recipe or take a few and come up with my own version. This time though, I followed every single step precisely. That being mentioned, I will share you the link to the recipe and if you are lazy to navigate, I have it for below .

The Recipe

Ingredients :

For the Bottom Layer

6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces, plus extra for greasing pan
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
¾ teaspoon instant espresso powder
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs, separated
Pinch salt
⅓ cup light brown sugar

For the Middle Layer:
2 tablespoons cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
5 tablespoons hot water
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1½ cups cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
⅛ teaspoon table salt

For the Top Layer
¾ teaspoon powdered gelatin
1 tablespoon water
6 ounces (1 cup) white chocolate chips
1½ cups cold heavy cream

Directions

1. Make the Bottom Layer: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan that is at least 3 inches high.

2. Melt the butter, chocolate and espresso powder in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla and egg yolks; set aside.

3. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt at medium speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Add half of the brown sugar and beat until combined, about 15 seconds. Add the remaining brown sugar and beat at high speed until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, about 1 minute longer, scraping down the sides halfway through. Whisk one-third of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain. Carefully transfer the batter to the prepared springform pan, gently smoothing the top with an offset spatula.

4. Bake until the cake has risen, is firm around the edges, and the center has just set but is still soft (the center of cake will spring back after pressing gently with your finger), 13 to 18 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. (The cake will collapse as it cools.) Do not remove the cake from the pan.

5. Make the Middle Layer: Whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water in a small bowl and set aside. Melt the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.

6. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream, granulated sugar and salt on medium speed until the mixture begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 15 to 60 seconds.

7. Whisk the cocoa powder mixture into the melted chocolate until smooth. Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Spoon the mousse into the springform pan over the cooled cake and gently tap the pan on counter 3 times to remove any large air bubbles; smooth the top with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the top layer.

8. Make the Top Layer: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water; let stand for at least 5 minutes. Place the white chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring ½ cup of the heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add the gelatin mixture, whisking until fully dissolved. Pour the cream mixture over the white chocolate chips and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is completely smooth. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes (the mixture will thicken slightly).

9. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase the speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 15 to 60 seconds. Whisk one-third of the whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture to lighten. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain. Spoon the white chocolate mousse into the pan over the middle layer. Smooth the top with an offset spatula. Return the cake to the refrigerator and chill until set, at least 2½ hours.

10. The cake can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 45 minutes before releasing it from the pan. Garnish the top of cake with chocolate curls or dust with cocoa, if desired. Run a thin knife between the cake and side of the springform pan, then remove the side of pan. Cut into slices and serve. (For clean slices, dip a sharp knife into hot water and wipe dry between cuts.)

( Source: The Brown Eyed Baker)

It's pretty tricky when it comes to the mousse so make sure you measure each of the ingredient right. I have to mention, I still am a big fan of mousse recipes that has eggs in it. They have a much creamier texture compared to this one. But since the cake itself is already rich and has triple chocolate treat, this lighter version did the justice.

Renuka G

Blueberry Cheese Tarts

Given a choice between cakes and tarts, I rather pick cakes but I can't resist a yummy creamy tart like this one either. Today I baked my favorite blueberry cheese tarts! They say you will get a perfect shell if you prepare the dough a day before and keep it chilled, I didn't have that time. Or to be more honest, I didn't have the patience.  It turned out yummy still, so I'm happy. 

The Recipe (yields around 12 medium tarts)

The shell

Ingredients

85 g Butter

15 g Confectioner's Sugar

145 g All Purpose Flour (sifted)

1/2 Small Egg ( Use your discretion but avoid adding too much of the whites as it may give a hard crust)

Vanilla Extract

Steps

• Beat the butter and sugar till creamy (not pale like for cake)
• Mix the egg and vanilla extract using a whisk
• Add the flour in 2 batches. Mix with your hands till a soft dough forms.
• Wrap in cling film and keep chilled for 30 minutes if using immediately, or store overnight.
• Take a lime sized dough and press around the tart moulds.
• Fix the edges with a knife. ( Run the knife on the top, cutting the extra dough on the sides.). Prick the bottom with a fork as shown in the picture.
• Bake in a 170C preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Once cooled, store in an airtight container.

The Filing

Ingredients

It should be a little runny, don't worry.

130 g Cream Cheese 

20 g Caster Sugar

1/2 Small egg (the remaining egg )

Vanilla Extract

Colorings (if you desire to decorate)

Blueberry jam of your choice

Steps

• Cream the cheese and sugar with a beater
• Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix at low speed.

Preparing the tart

Fill or pipe in a pea sized amount of blueberry jam into the baked shells. ( I used Steffi's)

Pour/ Pipe in the cream cheese mixture.

Decorate the tart with the colorings ( I made a cherry deco)

Bake the assembled tarts in a 170C preheated oven for 5 minutes.

I like my tarts chilled so I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It lasts longer this way as well. You may replace the blueberry jam with other fruit jam and make a whole new flavor, that's up to you. Good luck!

Renuka G