Milo Pound Brownie Cake

"You're almost there. 2.8km", the board writes.

We glanced at one another amongst our group, as if a ritual before the war. It wasn't a question, really, nor a suggestion. We knew we had to start running. 

From our relaxed attitude, it was obvious this wasn't our first run. Run the first 0.2km, then, run the last 0.4km and run whenever a teacher is at sight. Those were the rules. And from experience, be aware that a teacher jogs along with the very last runner.

But here's the catch. At the end of the 3.2km race, you'd be offered a cold cup of Milo and a long queue to the loo.

This was how Milo came into a hormonal-pimpled-rebelious-teenager's life who now has owwies in her teeth because she sleeps with a spoonful of milo-slash-nutella in her mouth.

The name is Milo. I am beautiful chocolate and ovaltine malty made better. I taste best when half-sticky or coating the surface of cold milk.

Chocolate Banana Muffin

This early morning, as my sister woke wearily from her bed and I have finally readied my face for public scrutiny, I said to her 

"I'm growing an afro."

A look of annoyance, then... a cold shoulder. 

"Really!! Look!!" 

Tucking my head as low as possible, I shoved the crown of my head to her face. Popping out, was a twirling little...you know, hair.

My sister isn't the type to wake up happy, or nice, or you know... kind. Despite the strand of hair celebrating its ridiculous number of twirls, conquering the crown of my head, announcing the possibility of an afro in the coming of my adulthood, not a creak of smile wavered from the tip of my sister's lips. 

At this point, convincing her of my afro mutation was futile. I plan to try it out during her birthday when she is in a better mood. The possibilities are slim, nevertheless, I'm not one to give up easily. 

"Good luck"

she is not humored.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Lying awake, tossing and turning, I realised. I missed baking. With my most trusted apparatus I was born holding, my wooden spoon, I decided it was time for a cookie recipe to succeed.

My long-awaited desire to try recipes by Russell from Chasing Delicious was well rewarded. Thus, announcing my victory against the cookie army. 

Yes!! I won you little pieces of cunning devils.

Chocolate Mousse Pie with Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce

It's momsie's birthday.

I'm lucky that way, mom's birthday is always close to Mother's day. Meaning, I get to save a hundred bucks more than you every year. (might be the reason for my "success").

I was stumped for this post, people. I have no clue how to write for my mom. Then, I thought of what I do best, baking.

When I think of my mom, I wouldn't think of a rainbow cake or a cheesecake, I wouldn't think of a 3-tier cake with lilies or daisies, I wouldn't think of a cake at all. A Pie. But no, not an apple pie. She's funkier. She's addictive, she keeps you on your toes. Then, just when you think you got her figured out, she splashes you with a layer of crazy.

This pie is amazing. The chocolate mousse is healthy and light but dark and bitter. Topped with a crazy chocolate peanut butter fudge sauce, enveloped by a flaky crispy crust. That's how she is, obviously amazing yet still holds surprises at every corner.

To Momsie: I love you the way I loved you 10 years ago. I thank you the way I've thanked God for you. I'd cry and grab your feet when you leave the way I did back then. Happy Birthday and may you grow younger this year the way you did last year.

Zebra Pound Cake

I don't have a bundt pan. I'd kill to have one. 

Really. Tell me who, I'll bring my razor along.

That being said, I hope you'd be able to justify these cakes not with how they are, but how they could have been (like Baker's Royale). Treat it like you would treat your gothic teenager. 

This cake reminds me a lot of my kiddo days. Simply vanilla and chocolate was all I know, was all I thought i would ever eat, was all the flavors I thought existed. 60 cents worth of cake wrapped in clear plastic wrapper. 3 layers, no bigger than your 10 year old palm, each glued by chocolate chantility cream. I take on the slice layer by layer, up to the last layer, the last bite. The conquest was about to end, I was about to wake from the dream, it was unbearable. I wanted more, just one more.

But no, there's always only 1 for each of us. No more, no less. It was a simple little treat. It wasn't a meal, it wasn't dessert. Just a break from the day. Just 10 minutes of silly chocolate-covered-teeth smile to let our mom know, we're happy today, we're doing fine today, thank you for today. 

I had to share this experience with you foodies. It's not always about how expensive the ingredients are. It's not about how pretty the cake is adorned. It's not the box or the wrapper it comes in. It's just us, the cake and that very day. 

Brownie Layer Cake with Chocolate Pudding and Caramelised Almond Flakes

I wanted a full head-on brownie, the best brownie ever. Dark. Bitter. Heavy. Chocolatey. But more than the usual "slice of brownie".

Interesting fact me #1: 

I often talk to myself, "this goes here, that goes there". Of course, not loudly (that would be crazy). But the hand gestures seem to freak people out. 

Interesting fact me #2: 

I am 96.125% sure if people know what's going through my head, I'll be killed within the amount of time it takes for people to gather around, holding torches, chanting "die! die! die!" (because that's the fun way of killing someone).

You see, folks, I love my "I-can-eat-everything-i-want" days. Usually followed by moments when I was pleased with Mister Scale-o, or after days when I succeeded to lay off the Kettles chips. But also because brownies is Mr's favourite! And the way to a man's heart is through his stomach!

Interesting fact me #3:

Whenever I giggle for more than 10 seconds, i would have a hard time stopping. This could go on for minutes even hours. And it tends to happen when I have something in my mouth. I'm a sprayer!

B-back to the brownie. Since i have the day off to  eat whatever I want, I wanted cake! Of course, nothing new there. But what could go well with those bitter, dense brownies? What could make brownies even more salivating than it already is? Something smooth. Velvety. Sweet. Light. Something that speaks the epitome of comfort.

Interesting fact #4:

I am very afraid of animals. All kinds of them. Even Hamsters.

 Interesting fact #5:

 I appreciate the gesture and effort of a gift more than the gift itself. Doesn't matter if it was a vintage $5 spoon or a $1000 DSLR. 

Puddings! Gooey dark brownies with sweet milky puddings. Love is on the plate. Of course, when there's so much in a bite, I always like to add a little extra topping to set it on the go. Caramelised Almond Flakes!
Interesting fact #6:

Sometimes my body refuses to go back to sleep after 3 am. Occasionally, it needs to bake something.

Interesting fact #7:

I think I'm a closet dancer (gasp!).

Hence, Brownie Layer Cake with Chocolate pudding and Caramelised Almond Flakes was born.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Vanilla And Chocolate Chips Cinnamon Muffins

I can see in the dark. I mean, I am trained to live in the dark. When the sun is down, I like to switch off all lights in the room and catch up on various TV series.This was difficult for everyone else. Seeing as I'm sharing my room and the constant need for people to come into the room in search for the stupidest things at the stupidest hours. Unlike me, they have not been trained to see in the dark feel in the dark. 

My long and constantly untidy black hair paired with my immediate "Hissss!" the moment a light is turned on, often leaves people in disarray. Ah, those shocked faces, always a pleasure.

That's how I'm able to eat in the dark, without leaving crumbs all over the place. This does not portray elegance or discipline of any sort, which I'm very much short of. But until you learn how to feel in the dark, sweetcakes, you are not allowed to bring food to the bed. Understood, Bambi?

Anyway, I chose to use a muffin recipe that is rated and reviewed by over 5,400 people. To Die for Blueberry muffins from All-recipes by Colleen. I adapted it to the following:

Tiramisu and Homemade Ladyfinger (For Adults Only)

I've gone over my head real bad this time. How could I possibly endow myself with such a task, enduring this silky amazing'ness I call Tiramisu. Tis like leaving trails of sweets to the snack cupboard which is left unlocked for a set of horrifying triplets to bring you sugar tremor.

Just a few more and I assure you, folks, I will need a new body to reside in. But its Tiramisu, you say. Its the silky amazing'ness, you say. ... End of discussion.

Tiramisu, oh tiramisu.

My relationship with food was never healthy, is never going to be healthy. My desire for desserts was once diagnosed by a psychology-student friend as an exertion of unfulfilled childhood needs. That happened before I fell in love with burgers and sandwiches. Let's just say, that changes everything.

But Tiramisu, oh dear Tiramisu. I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. Now, the recipe. I found this recipe long before I thought i could blog about baking. I have long forgotten where i found it, all i know was that, it is wicked good, but wicked.

Chocolate Granola Bars

A sunday morning, I was ready to watch the various new episodes from HIMYM, TBBT and Modern Family. I readied a mug of coffee in one hand, my laptop and phone in the other and held a slice of white bread in my mouth. (Greedy, i know)

Suddenly, the bread disappeared. Still hungry, I went back to the fridge but no snacks was at sight. I shut the fridge door, lowered my expectations and pry into the fridge a second time. (This usually works.) I watched the various 'potential' snacks at hand and ideas flew into my mind chanting "bake! bake! bake!"

It is only time before they pronounce my sanity doubtful, really. I started lining out the ingredients and the rest is history. 

Granola Bars. It is amazing how such simplicity and promptness turn out to be such a delicious snack.

 For extra fun, I lined up marshmallows and poured some cornflakes over as toppings.

Pie Pops - Banana, Homemade Nutella and Blueberry.

We recognize people who are "alone" very easily, especially during Valentines Day. I'm one of those. Maybe I'm giving out obligatory chocolates, maybe I'm accompanied by other "alone" people but I've never officially given a special chocolate to a Valentine.  

So when I say "I hate Valentines Day", do NOT take my word for it. I mean, who doesn't love to make a big deal out of chocolate! I know I do (I'd make chocolate our currency if I can)!

    

Anywho, Valentines Day is another reason to show your love. It is another excuse to make a big deal out of surprises and romance. Another day to show your relationship off to everyone else...

That being said,

I hate Valentines Day.

This day of the year, cheesy lines aren't "gay", couples in a public lives in their own world, girls making duck faces are suddenly tolerable and chocolate stores turned evil.

Dear future me, go get a room.

For now, if it's a chance to bake, it is a chance I wouldn't miss. And since appearance is oh-so-important for today, let's try to make things look prettier and mini'er than I would prefer.

Banana Filling:

1 banana cut diagonally

a pinch of cinnamon

1. Mix the ingredients together.

Nutella Filling:

makes about 1 3/4 cup nutella spread.

2 cups shelled and skinned raw peanuts

1/2 cup of your darkest, richest unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt plus additional to taste (I used an extra 1/8 teaspoon) 3 tablespoons peanut oil

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread the peanuts evenly over a cookie sheet and roast until they darken, about 10 minutes, rattling them around a bit halfway through to they toast evenly.

2. Transfer the peanuts to a food processor and grind them for about 5 minutes. First they’ll become a paste then they’ll become more of a paste and finally, they’ll liquefy. Scrape down the sides as needed.

3. Add the cocoa, sugar, salt and two tablespoons of the oil to the food processor and continue to process until well blended, about 1 minute. 

4. Add the last tablespoon of oil if the consistency seems too thick.

Blueberry Filling:

• makes about 16 3-inch pie pops.
• 1/2 recipe puff pastry dough (recipe from: previous post)
• 1 1/4 cups blueberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 egg for egg wash

1. Mix all ingredients together. 

2. Prepare cut out doughs, push a skewer stick into one of the doughs.

3. Spoon sufficient filling onto the dough.

4. Seal with another dough piece. 

5. Using a fork or the skewer, push down the edges of dough.

6. Bake at 190 celsius for 20 minutes.

7. Brush egg wash sparingly on the crust.

8. Bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown.

9. Do not move the skewer around while pie is still hot.

I used several different fillings. Because I'm not a big fan of Blueberry, they're too classy for me. I love chocolate and bananas. I'm like that. Onto what it tastes. They're pies! They're awesome pies on pops!

Happy Valentines,

Jes

S'mores Pistachio Brownies

Its Chinese/Lunar New Years soon. Office in Chinatown = Craziness. I'm not a big fan of crowds, queuing, waiting, or standing up actually. But for one reason, I part the red sea. There it was, with its dark and thick scent of nutty sweetness roasted in black coal pebbles. It's chestnuts. Tis the season of chestnuts! And right beside them are these beautiful green gems. Pistachios. Tis the season of pistachios!

Indeed. Chinese New years bring out the best of snacks. We spend the past month (after christmas and new years) losing the extra pounds to fit in a chinese traditional dress only to gain two-fold of the weight back. Just to be safe, get a bigger Cheong Sam.

The roasted chestnuts didn't make it and i had to keep the pistachios away from the crazy wolves. Hence, whilst dreaming the day I can have a traditional campfire desert, I decided to bake up some s'mores (brownies style), with pistachios of course.

Pink Ombre Layer Cake - Another Birthday Post

 Happy Birthday, Christina.

To be honest, when I first came back after my time abroad, I was afraid. Afraid how I would settle in, afraid of what's different and what's new, afraid how i need to re-connect with my "old" friends.

 They were the people I spend my every days with. We'd be in school together, have our lunch together, shop together and hang out every weekend together. However, as I left for my commerce degree, we started to grow apart. The years I've missed are the very years they needed someone. The years I was away were the very years our characters were built. We've changed. I've changed.

Yet, as gentle as they were, it was as if i've never left. They welcomed me. No awkwardness, no ice breakers, no need for hugs or tears, it was just the way it has been and should be. 

Specially to C. We've confide in each other, we've shared our moments, played mean pranks to one another (maybe that's just her), embarrass one another (again, just her) and had too much fun and laughs (maybe just me).

As she goes through her toughest points in life alone, I could only bit my lips and curse the people who made it hard for her. But not anymore. C, amongst the presents and cakes you've received today, my utmost present for you is. 

"A true friend is one who stays through trials of deserts and storms"

Brownies - Birthday Post

Growing up, I've never spent a birthday without being in tears. The day is always full of self-pitying and self-self-self. By the time I reached 18 years old, I despised it. I hated making a big thing out of such a day.With facebook and iCloud and iCal, there are hundreds of people to wish birthdays to. Birthdays are no longer as "special" as it seems. 

Out of the 500 friends you have on facebook, how many times do you actually wish "Happy Birthday" genuinely? But even then, I still couldn't comprehend, why people thrive their hardest to make someone else's birthday so special. What if you don't get the similar effort in return? What if you end up being alone in the bathroom, in tears? 

Being such an extremist about this subject came with consequences. I was bound to be proven wrong. And I was. As though my whole view of birthdays were crushed. All of a sudden, I could comprehend, staying up for hours into the dawn to complete a project, taking out ingredients before the rooster's crow to bake. (Of course there was no roosters involved). But this goes to show that... there ARE people, you would be irrational for. Their smiles are already a sufficient gift in return. So, Happy 20th  Birthday to Yz! Thank you for being the person you are. I truly hope that I will not miss your next birthday and the birthdays to come. I wish that you stay smiling always :)

Now, onto the recipe. Many people love brownies. If they were any less sinful, it would be our staple food. However, there are a few types of brownies. Fudgy, Cakey and Chewy. You can tell from these pictures, the recipe I played around with resulted in a cakey/chewy type of brownies. However, there's good news. If you want it fudgy, just take them out of the oven earlier. However, if you want to go all out fudgy, I reckon you look for a different recipe :) (Personally, I'm the chewy type of brownie girl).

Six Layer Chocolate Rum Cake with Swiss Meringue Rum Buttercream

Have you ever thought of being a little kid again? Where days went by without you worrying about what's going to your hips and thighs. Where running around 5 minutes made you perspire like 45 minutes extreme yoga. Where eating 2 slices of cake was "awww, so cute".

I do. A lot. You would know that exact second when I decide to indulge my inner child. Especially when i proclaim random resolutions like "I ain't sharin' my burger!" or "All meat no vege!" or "I'm eating straight from the pot!" Unfortunately, I kid not.

That's where the 6-layer cake comes in. And the rum...is just to congratulate us for getting over being a 5 year old. The cake I was looking for is a "black" cake. When I was searching for "the" recipe, I go to my favourite cake site and found this. However, things seemed a little too professional. Hence, I went to my new favourite site and found this same recipe. Who could resist challenging themselves, when 2 trusted individuals have tried-tested the recipe. 

Mango Upside Down Moist Chocolate Cake

Firstly, let me start by warning you, you're going to want to make these. So get prepared to buy some cocoa. I took 30 minutes to get the batter ready and left it to bake for 1 hour whilst meeting my girl friends for dinner. When we came back, the dessert was ready.

This cake isn't the fluffiest cake you will ever eat, neither is it the prettiest classy girl in class. However, I assure you, you would want seconds and thirds, each a thicker slice than before. It's so very chocolatey yet not sickeningly sweet, perfectly moist yet not buttery, airy yet dense and with a simple addition of citrus/fruit, it's simply addictive. 

Before we begin with the cake, I would like to thank all of you for the support. I am utterly grateful that I have people reading putting up with what I have to say. So here's to all our hopes and dreams! :)

Mango Upside Down Moist Chocolate Cake! So you follow Jes' blog and you ask yourself, "ooh... mango? she said she hated mango cakes? Caught ya!" Let me explain. I love mangoes, as a fruit, especially these ones from my mother's hometown. These mangoes were from a village called Pasuruan in Indonesia. Even in the capital city, Jakarta, these mangoes are rare and much more expensive than other mangoes. 

This mango is called Mangga Harum Manis, translated to Fragrant Sweet Mango. They're so sweet and fragrant that it is difficult to cultivate (due to attracting insects). Hence, when an aunt of mine brought 10 of these mangoes to my arms, ripening at the same time, I had to come up with something. Whilst I would prefer to have them the way they are, it's almost impossible to consume all 10 within a few days. Hence, I decided to whip up a mango chocolate cake (chocolate because I love it) for the usual friday "gathering" with the girls. In conclusion, no you did not "catch me".

Quiche Frenzy - Traditional Quiche Lorraine. Spinach & Brie, Potato crisp quiche. Chicken breast & mimolette quiche. Self-saucing Chocolate Rum cake quiche.

The results for the rainbow cake was shocking. All of a sudden, friends and family no longer looked at me as the kid playing with play-doh. In layman's term, the rainbow cake was served to test and nobody's dead (except for Steve Jobs, may he rest in peace).

So, this week I promised to bake something savory. I'm never good at this. After-all, the food I like to eat are limited to warm and cold salads, occasional chunk of steak, ocassional burger fetish, sandwiches, eggs, cheese, soups and traditional Indonesian dishes that uses at least 10 different spices that i hardly can translate to English.

My friends often ask, how can I be a "chef" or "baker" if I don't eat. I'm not picky with food, i hardly hate any specific ingredients except eggplants and olives, I just do not have the stomach. I love cakes. I love them to death! However, I don't mind eating a bad cake (over and over), I'm easily impressed over simple presentation or just melted chocolate. I do have a few comments for cake stores who act all high-and-mighty but have bad cakes, yet, I do not have my set of passion to finding the best cake in town.

Atmosphere. Atmosphere is utmost importance to me. Even if the cakes were meh-ok, even if drinks are a little overcharged. That traditional overly midget wooden coffee table, sofas that do not have matching colors, songs played in an acceptable volume and people who serves cheerily. I want that. I want to open that. That's how I got to this quiche.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake - Nigella Lawson (adapted)

This is how it's going to be, what i'm going to tell you is totally in confidence. (The fact that this is on internet doesn't help my point but i would hope as time goes by, nobody will remember this.) My sister has an event to go to. She was going to bring some Konyaku Jelly and some Fried indonesian snacks. Then i asked, "do you want me to bake something for you?" Of course she said no. I became gloomy and soon enough, the words coming across the table was "PLEASE LET ME BAKE FOR YOU!". Alright, i know this is pathetic but my need to feed people just runs one level above all the shame and embarrassment I'm going to get for this.

 If you understand how i felt, please continue reading. If you don't, you can skip one sentence. This sentence.

After relentlessly annoying my sister, she finally said yes. Then my heart skipped a beat. "CRAP ON A CRACKER, what should i bake". No cookies, no muffins, no safety net baking goods (well amongst the things going across the table, i may have said "COOKIES, MUFFINS? ANYTHING, PLEASE, I'll give you a lollipop". Okay, before i move forward, i should say do not try this at home but I baked a chocolate cake I have never baked before. 

 This post would have turned out horrendous if the cake did not turn out well. However, the brave and annoying side of me decided to test the world, challenge life, go against gravity or whatever you call it. 

Bringing a cake to an event that needs to impress my sis & her friends.... I decided to wager:

1. The new food processor.

2. The tweaked untested chocolate cake recipe 

3. The uncertainty of both the above.

 Back to the cake. Once i was sure i wanted to bake a "whole" cake, i know it has to be a simple simple chocolate cake. Then i thought, what's better than those from Nigella Lawson's quick and yet "old-fashioned" recipe? If you've known me better, i'm easily attracted to the words: Authentic, old-fashioned, rustic, traditional and... you get my point. The tweaked recipe has 2x more liquid and less sugar. It was my decision, out of fear, after hearing those dry flaky reviews regarding the recipe.

Macaroon with XO Chocolate Ganache filling.

This would be a short post. Reason being: my macaroon didn't turn out beautiful. As all bakers would know, when you spend 5-6 hours of hard work just to have things end up wrong. For example, when you crossed your fingers as you turn over your chiffon/Angel food cake just to find that half of it was stuck in the pan, or when you baked a pie to realise the crust was soggy and just distasteful, or in this case, have your worst fears come true. That is, following the recipe and every other tip to the letter does not always mean it will work out. But we shall not give up, so get prepared for MANY MORE failed macaroons on the way.

At this point of time, I realised it would be a mid-success. It was never a problem with how it tastes, Macaroons are a piece of art. When I saw (camped hugging my knee watching the macaroons in the oven) how my macaroons have no feet (feet is the crack at the side of the macaroons), i knew it went wrong somewhere. 

As we all always do, we blame something. I blame the humid weather. Emboite (chose it over Tartletteblog.com because it contains much lesser sugar) says the more humid the weather, the harder for the layer of shell to form. Guess what, it didn't form at all... I was suspicious of over-beating it as well as the crust not forming even after resting for 1 hour (It was raining)

Hence, looking like Whoopie pies. Pulling myself together, i grade it a C because any lower wouldn't do the ganache any justice (i used Tartelette's ganache recipe).

Rock on, 

Jes