Butter Cake for Shamsul's Fiance-to-be

It's been a long time that I have last updated this blog. In fact there are some baking projects that I have not updated yet. Sorry peeps. I'm up to my ears with work nowadays :(....

Having said that, it takes a really special event that motivate me to publish this post. Ahem!

What event?

It's the 'merisek' event for Shamsul, my niece! Merisek is a pre-engagement tradition that most Malays still practise. Nowadays it is usually a small event only attended by the parents of both parties, at the girl's parent's house.

But for Shamsul, it was quite a big affair, similar to an engagement.

Thus, it needs a cake! A beautiful (ahem..) cake!

Here it is!

I have been finding the opportunity to try this two-toned rosebuds! At first it was a challenge, but after a while, it's a breeze! Love it! I will surely add this to my repertoire!

More simple two-toned roses at the bottom of the cake...all around the cake...

More rosebuds at the sides...

Lastly, packed in the decorated, transparent box to be presented to the fiance-to-be...

It's a joy to decorate this cake.

Thanks Kak Sal and Shamsul for the trust in me.

For Shamsul, really happy for you and please take care, dear....

My First Red Red Velvet

Happy Birthday Darling Dalilah!

Since Dalilah's birthday was in the middle of the week, I had to do this cake in 'instalments'. Firstly, I bought the ingredients bit by bit the week before, measured the ingredients and sifted the dry ingredients on Saturday, baked the cake on Sunday and lastly, made the icing and decorated the cake on Tuesday.

Phew!

It's okay, I enjoyed it tremendously! I love trying new cakes especially when there is an occasion where I can try it (without much risk *smile*). Thanks to my dear cousin for the great recipe. I peeped here too for additional tips (thanks Min *smile*).

Here's the precious cake for a precious girl!

The red velvet, perching on Dalilah's study table...

A shot from another angle... it's quite a challenge to do this wavy design
(instead of a smooth and clean design)... surprise, surprise!

Aha, a rare gem... a picture of my cake, after it was cut...
I managed to do a 2-layer only...

Darling Dalilah, celebrating with some of her close friends... after
Puteri Islam co-curriculum activity (can see her Puteri Islam t-shirt *smile*)...

May Allah bless you always, my little darling girl!

We love you very much!

Happy 16th Birthday Kak Na!

This entry is specially dedicated to my wonderful daughter, Diana, who celebrated her 16th birthday last weekend.

They say, a picture is worth a thousand words....err, in this case, pictures worth thousands of words...






We love you Kak Na!

May Allah be with you always!

Sheriman's Engagement (5-2-2011)

OMG! At last, this nephew of mine is getting hitched!

At last! And I'm so very glad to hear the news, as I was afraid he's going to be a 'bujang terlajak'....*grin*.

And he ordered these 2 cakes just a week before the event. Luckily I still have some of the required ingredients for fondant, lest I have to dash to Lea-Oven at Putra Heights to get them. The rest of the ingredients and 'accessories' can be found around Selayang.

First, he ordered chocolate moist cake for him (and family ?) to eat. I'm glad he likes my cake!

Simple chocolate moist cake with ganache.
The date should be 5-2-2011 (I was late by a month :(...) , which is the date of his engagement. However, I managed to correct it but forgot to snap the 'after' picture...
Oh, well...*smile*

Second, the engagement cake itself. A fondant cake (red theme) with chocolate moist cake inside...

Ta-da!

This is the finished product, after putting the cake inside the see-through box. The event was held at Simpang Pulai, Perak. Thus, I supplied the box too, with very simple decorations. For safety purposes *grin*...

View from top, before 'sealing' it inside the box..

Picture snapped before putting more 'accessories' onto the cake, ie., golden ribbon and gold beads... Some says it looks better like this, simple and clean...
Oh, well...*smile*

Anyway, Thanks Sheriman (Along) for trusting this not-so-ole' auntie to do this cake for your err, fiancee...

Congratulations Sheriman and Noriah for their engagement! Hope both of you will be wedded before end of the year!

Ha ha ha!

Meatloaf

You can do no wrong with this meatloaf recipe. Especially if your family love burger, sausages and the likes. You can eat it by itself, with bread, any kind of pratha bread or even with rice.

I got it from my friend, Sue, who is now recuperating at home from the effects of chemotheraphy after her mastectomy surgery. She directed me to the website link, but I forgot the website :(. Anyway, thanks a lot Sue, and hope you get well soon!



Ingredients:
1. 2.5 lbs of ground beef
2. 3 eggs, beaten
3. 6 oz herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix
4. 1 cup hickory smoke flavored barbeque sauce
5. 1 onion, finely chopped
6. 1 teaspoon minced garlic
7. half cup milk

for glaze, combine 1 cup barbeque sauce and 1 cup brown sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 175 C or 350 F. Grease 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix items 1 to 7 and placed into prepared baking dish. Shape into 2 loaves.
3. Pour glace over the 2 meatloaves.
4. Cover the baking dish and and bake for 60 to 90 minutes. Uncover the last 15 minutes of baking time. Let sit for 15 minutes before slicing.



Note: I used chilli sauce instead of barbeque sauce as I don't have any barbeque sauce in my kitchen. I also put some curry powder too since I used plain bread crumbs plus some leftover cream crackers (crushed) instead of 'herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix'. No worries. you can mix and match according to your taste and likings :).

It's yummylicious!

Simple Butter Cake - Episode 2

In my previous post, I have submitted a recipe for a simple butter cake.

However, I did not include the accompanying pictures as I wrote it from a different device on which I didn't have the uploaded pictures.

Now, at last my desktop (where I keep all my pictures) is out of the workshop and has been 'cured', Alhamdulillah. So, here are some pictures that should accompany my previous post.

I don't have the full cake picture - forgot to take...:(

The cake was well-received by my family and friends, and I personally think the texture is suitable for fondant decorations.

Hope you can try it and report the results to me!

Recipe: Simple Butter Cake

This is a request from Yah, Ros and Kak Zah. I brought the cake to the office, already cut to pieces as I didn't decorate it this time. They liked the taste and texture of the cake and requested the recipe. I forgot where I got this recipe, but I've already amended it according to my liking. It's a bit on the sweet side, so you are welcomed to lessen the sugar or the condensed milk if you prefer a not-too-sweet cake.

So, here you are!

Ingredients:

250 gms butter (1 stick)
200 gms castor sugar
210 gms all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder (sift together)
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
4-5 tablespoons of condensed milk

1. Stir butter, sugar flour and baking powder in a cake mixer until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the eggs one by one and continue stirring.
3. Add vanilla essence and condensed milk. Continue stirring for about 4 minutes. Don't stir too long, okay.
4. Pour into an 8 or 9-inch baking pan and bake for about 45 minutes 170 C (depending on your oven) or until inserted toothpick came out clean.

* This cake is a bit different because as the usual convention is to cream the butter and sugar first before adding in the rest, usually saving the flour for last.

But, do try it! I'm sure it will change your mind about baking a butter cakes after this!

31.12.2010

Denai Alam.

That's the name of place that this cake went to on 31.12.2010. A warm home. A housewarming-of-sorts event. A gathering of families of a family, bounded by love, surrounded by wonderful food and laughter, praying for Allah's blessing and the for the best that life can offer.

My favourite cornelli design on chocolate moist cake, adorned only with the 'date'.

To Abang Oli, Kak Ros, Kak Long, Aiman, Aqlie and Arief,

Wish you all the best in your new home!!

Happy Birthday November!

Phew!

Amidst busy with exams and taking care of a sick child, I managed to bake and decorate this cake, as promised. A week earlier, I have promised a few 'November-babies' that I would contribute a simple cake for a birthday-bash-among-office-colleagues event.

So, a promise is a promise. I have to manage the time to be able to get it all done. Alhamdulillah, thanks to the support from my family, I did it!

Dalilah, my sick angel can be seen here, resting on the couch while waiting for her mama decorating the precious 11-inch chocolate moist cake, and later position the cake for the camera...
my poor baby (Dalilah)... and my lovely baby (the cake :))...

The cake, view from top. I am still on the vines-design mode. Love it!

Alhamdulillah, Dalilah is okay now.

Happy Birthday to all November babies who read this post ... (including yours truly :))

LOL!

We Are Friends Forever

It was great meeting old friends again especially those that you have not met for more than 20 years!

This carrot-orange-cupcakes-set was specially, lovingly made for the get-together at Subang Bestari. Thanks Jah for the venue, the delicious nasi dagang and the goodies.

Carrot orange cupcakes with buttercheese topping. It is easier to do a smooth topping compared to this 'wavy' design....

The cupcakes before the topping. I pricked the cupcakes with a toothpick and poured carrot+orange juice on the cakes to get tastier, yummier cakes. So yummy! Thanks Kak Zaleha for the recipe....

This is one on the pics at the event, which I stole from fb :). The half-finished cupcakes on the left, 'sitting' near a delicious carrot-walnut cake brought by Yan all the way from Pekan, Pahang. The other cake (ready-cut) is a butter cake with blueberry filling brought by Ita.

Indeed, it was a fun-filled gathering with lovely friends. Thanks Jah, Shada, Yan, Ita, Nin, Sham, Nora, Riz, Za and Ju for the friendship and for being there. For the rest who were not able to attend, we miss you. Hope we can meet again in the near future!

Luv u all!

Bon Voyage, Zafran!

This cake was requested by Haziq and friends for their friend who's going off to Egypt to continue his studies. Zafran is a future doctor, and he has just finished his 2-month-break at home.

His friends arranged a surprise going-off party at the airport (???) for him.

the simple chocolate moist cake ready to be taken to the airport at 6.00 am

I don't know why Zafran was called by this name.... I just wrote according to the script, prepared by Haziq...

Haziq requested a very simple (read: cheap) cake & design. Anyway, I didn't have much time to do a complicated design in a rushed order. Therefore, this cornelli design is enough...

I heard Zafran was really SURPRISED and touched by his friends' gesture.

The cake? It was finished in no time at all!

Bon Voyage, Zafran & Good Luck!

MIL's Open House

Aha! My mum-in-law's Open House! Two in one project! Not only that I could bring something for her Open House, this is a great opportunity for me to try the following:

1. Vanilla cake - usually I did cupcakes with the recipe
2. Use my store-brought blueberry filling, which, I'm dying to try
3. Use again my Cake Leveller for layered cakes. This is going to be a 2-layered cake
4. Try this vine design again. I tried it once before, and I like it!
5. Practise for a better-looking handwriting, and a neater design.

Need to practise more on my 'cake sides' designs...

I think my handwriting is getting better, if I may say so...hohoho

Hope the guests like it!

Corporate Cake - ATAREK

Wow! My first ever corporate cake!

With great trepidation, I planned, bought necessary ingredients (including a brand new 11-inch baking tin), carefully measured the ingredients, and mixed them all, all the while keeping in mind all the tips and tricks that I've learned.

With great suspense, I watched the oven (every 5-10 minutes, mind you) while baking because I was afraid the cake will not turn out as expected as this is the first time I baked an 11-inch squared choc moist cake.

With great excitement, I planned and designed the decoration, thinking that the working adults who didn't know me would be more critical in their judgement of the design. Usually, my own family, friends and children 'patronised' my cakes. Although they support me (a lot!), realistically, they can be a little bit biased... nothing bad about it though, he,he,he... I know they all adore me...ho, ho, ho!

Anyway, as careful as I can, I decorated this cake till 12.30 am on a working day! The most challenging part is the logo and the hand-written wordings. Ops, that's the only design ON the cake, anyway!

Ta-da! My first corporate cake! Purple theme!

Oh well, I still need to brush up on my writing skills... they looked a little
bit skewed hu, hu, hu...

Anyway, from Haziq's tetimonial, I heard ATAREK'S staff received the cake pretty well. Alhamdulillah...

Thanks Haziq dear, for giving me the chance to do this marvelous baking project. I really had fun doing it!

Don't hesitate to inform me if you have any baking projects in the future!

Colorful cakes

These are belated pictures on Raya cakes. Somehow I was in the mood of baking butter cakes with colors, either rainbow cakes or marble cakes. I've baked several of these for Ramadhan and Raya season.

The rainbow cake before cutting.

The rainbow cake after being cut... I love the colors... This cake had 3 colors only. Once I made with 4 or 5 colors. I had so much fun!

This marble cake is sometimes called 'zebra cake'.

The cakes can be beautiful without buttercream, royal icing or fondant! And they are less messy to decorate and to eat!

Happy Birthday Syafiq & Asyraf!

It was an honor to fulfill this order by Ina, Nisa's mom.

Quite a challenge to me since it was a last minute order. Ordered on Wednesday, to be picked-up on Thursday morning. Luckily I was still on Hari Raya leave, therefore I have just enough time to finish it before Ina came. Also, Ina did not require any specific design, therefore, I was given a free hand to unleash(?) my creativity. LOL!

However, I dare not show off my creativity much ... just KISS (keep it simple, sayang).

I am still in the mood of putting colorful candies on my creation...

Just added on some colorful rice deco for a 'celebration' effect... in line with
the kids theme

Hmm... on second thots, I think the candies should enough...

Oh well...

Hope Syafiq & Asyraf liked it! And (more importantly), Ina too!

Thanks Ina for your support!

Happy Belated Birthday Arissa!

Since darling Arissa's 4th Birthday fell on second day of Hari Raya, I can only manage to bake and decorate this cake 2 weeks after! Hope Arissa does not mind it!

I really enjoyed doing this doll cake. The pinkiest pink, as sweet as Arissa... my favourite color too!

Hope Arissa enjoy it!


p/s: first time using Wilton's Wonder Mold, thanks to my dear SIL...

Meeting with Ex-classmates - Green Theme

It was great meeting old friends
Half a day seemed very short
Sharing experiences and reminisce on those days long gone
Kids, families, careers, lost friends and current status
All mingling amidst laughter and good food
As though we were back in those school days
May we meet again soon!


Your truly's chocolate moist cupcakes in a green-themed box.














Inside the box, 12 chocolate moist cake with ganache toppings and buttercream icing.

Hastily done in the morning before the event, managed to do only half of the recipe!











Some of my friends, chattering with each other. The venue was at Burn's spacious bungalow house, situated somewhere behind Zoo Negara.

Thanks everybody for the great time!

Happy Birthday Az-Zahrah

Az-Zahrah deserves a tasty chocolate moist cake for her endurance and spunk.

This spunky girl is only one-year-old, but has endured 3 operations on her tiny feet, including 1 botched operation. Yet, she can still smiling and our heart warmed when we saw her.

a Ben Ten decorated cake (again!) with colorful candies....
I love doing this decoration...

from side view...

Happy Birthday, darling Az-Zahrah....

You are so lucky to have a loving and caring grand-aunt... Auntie Bird.

Thanks Auntie Bird... you know who you are....

Best Wishes To Kak Long & Ijal

I can't wait to use this new 'gadget' that I got from my SIL, a souvenir from her trip to Orlando recently... a Wilton Cake Leveler. Wow!

the cake leveler, thanks a lot Sis!

used the cake leveler to slice the cake into three - the butter chocolate cake, which is
a new recipe from my sister; thanks Sis!

here's the iced 3-layer cake - chocolate buttercream icing

ta-da! the finished decorated cake for Kak Long & Ijal

the cake, view from top

Congratulations Kak Long! A new doctor is in the making!

Happy Birthday Ijal! May Allah bless you!

School Hols Project

**
It's school holidays again!
It's time to be happy and merry.
Or, it's time to be bored and busy.
You choose which state you want to be.
You have the power to control and direct and propel yourself in whatever you set your mind on.
You can complaint and be grumpy.
Or you can smile and be happy/merry.
You can choose which state you want to be.
You and only you, have right to control your own mind.
Happy?
Sad?
Bored?
Pretty/Handsome?
Smart?
Lovely?
Likeable?
Rich?

You are what you think...
Again (I can't stress this enough), you are what you think...

Almond brownies for Kak Nana's makan-makan event last weekend...

A school hols team project by ibu, Hasif, Dalilah & Diana...

** this post is dedicated to my lovely children... and YOU!