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We are fully booked from 26 ~ 30 May 09. Thank You for your support once again!

Strawberry Jello Cheesecake

Up for sale now! @ S$22 per box of 20 bite-sizes!

ps: this is a no-bake cheesecake, needs refrigeration. Pick-up at the Homebaker's Residence Only.

Warning: Extremely Addictive

Just in case you're looking for cakes...

& you're wondering what's with all the rantings...it's because:

1. the Kitchen is temporarily closed for renovation from 7 May 2009 to 25 May 2009 and the homebaker will take in orders from 26 May 2009
2. the Homebaker's very free, besides changing diapers & feeding the Little One
3. there's really nothing much left to do, 'cept keeping this blog alive.
   

Thank you all for dropping by our blog! We really appreciate your patience & understanding!

Strawberry Hearts Jello & Cheese Dessert

This dessert is definitely a hit with kids and a sure winner at parties or get-togethers with friends and family. Made of layers of biscuit crumbs, cream cheese and strawberry jello, this tastes as good as it looks. Sadly, this dessert doesn't hold well in our weather (the jello was melting when I took the pics after slicing the slab below). So it's best served chilled right after dinner and store leftovers in the fridge else you'll see those tiny little fellas wandering around your worktop.


Speaking of tiny, I felt like a lilliputian yesterday. It was a long-awaited interview opportunity. I was exhilarated when I received their call, which I thought I didn't make it as the resume was sent 2 months ago. I was unusually nervous but I was all prepped (I even did my hair at a salon!) for the interview.

For a start, things doesn't look too good. It's not very reassuring when you see 5 other smartly-dressed with highly-educated-looks waiting for their turn to be called. It doesn't help when I'm petite (damn, I knew I should have worn those heels).

The real crunch came when the interviewer started with, "you don't have a degree in humanities or education...you'll have a longerrr learning curve..." stopped abruptly with pursed lips and eyes fixated waiting for my answer. What can I say? "Oh Ok, what the ____? Didn't you READ my resume? I'm a business communications grad! For Gawdddddd's sake."

Of course, I didn't or couldn't say that for the following reasons:

1. I need a job
2. I need the money
3. No JOB = NO $$$

Plus the fact that it's a stat board, absolutely no obscenities unless you plan to migrate.

The interview was, of course, over in less than 5mins. I thanked them, excused myself and left with heavy steps, even the hair felt heavy. Maybe it's the hair.

Anyway, that was yesterday. I felt alot better now (after having 1/2 dozen of strawberry cheese). At least something to cheer about yesterday...perhaps, I should just stick to baking?

Sugar Rush

Just went to Bakerzin and treated myself to a bag load of macarons. I'm in desperate need of sugar, chocolates or anything sweet and rich for comfort (more of that later). Tried the chocolate/strawberry macarons (sorry couldn't take any pics of these enticing little buns cos I left my camera and part of my brain at home)...anyway, it was disappointing. I was expecting something smooth, chewy and moist but these were too crumbly. So next,
good ol' choco-pie did lift my spirits...for 5 secs and it's back to misery. Called the Hubby and as usual, gave his support and reassurance in an unmistakable and oddly soothing tone, that never fails to perk me up. Oh, not to mention the new phone that he's getting for me, which he says it's a gift for our wedding anniversary, though a month away. This is why I married you (not because of the gifts, pleaaaaaseee), you make up for the other half that I'm lacking, ie, keeping cool, calm, composed, confident, and staying positive. Thanks dear for everything!

Now, back to the kitchen to make my favourite strawberry jello cheesecake for dessert!

1st Birthday Party

The little one is turning 1 next month! I've planned quite a few events before but this time will be a little tricky (couple that with the humidity & a cranky baby) as the patissier is none other than the unglam homebaker, ME. Still, I'm so excited as I work out this list of stuff to prepare for her party:

Cakes

1. 8" Strawberry Shortcake covered with Cherry Kirsch Whipped Cream & topped with plenty of strawberries
2. 1/2 dozen of Nutella cupcakes with Nutella frosting (plus a little powdered sugar)
3. 1/2 dozen of Strawberry Yogurt Cupcakes with whipped cream
   
4. 1/2 dozen of Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Dessert

1. Blackforest Trifle to be served in dessert cups (mini ones)
2. Millionaire shortbread bars
   

Gift Party Pack

1. Ultra Fudgy Brownie wrapped in gold/red/silver candy foils
2. Chocolate Cookies iced with the words 'Thank you'
3. 2 dozen orange butter cupcakes covered with marshmallow fondant

To do list:

• Gift boxes with tags
• Italian ladyfingers (or maybe just buy off the shelf?)
• Print more namecards?
• a cake stand?
  

Cookies+Fondant

Made these for my niece's birthday last weekend.

Sugar cookies decorated with fondant (home-made) and sprinkles (store-bought)

Photos and stickers courtesy of The Hubby.

This is for my cousin Lucinda who's very interested to know how I made these. I just followed the Wilton recipe that came with the mini cookies cutters I bought at Shermay's but with a little tweak of my own. Makes about 30 cookies.

Sugar Cookies Recipe

115gm unsalted butter, softened at room temperature for about 30mins
140gm caster sugar
1 tsp clear almond extract
1/2 tsp clear vanilla extract
180gm all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Half an egg (I used 25gm out of 55gm egg measured on a digital scale but you may well use your own judgement)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and extracts. Add the flour mixture into the mixing bowl, 1 cup at a time, and mix until smooth or dough-like.

For this recipe, you do not need to chill the dough (although many recipes call for it). After mixing, roll out dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Dip cookie cutters into flour before each use. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheet and bake for 6-7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove tray from oven and leave cookies to cool slightly before removing them from baking sheet to cool completely on cooling rack.


Marshmallow Fondant Recipe (adapted from Cake Journal)

128gm regular/white marshmallows
1 tbsp water
250gm icing sugar, sifted
Crisco for greasing hands, mixing spoon and worktop
Food colors (I used wilton gel paste) or cocoa powder

Put the marshmallows in a heatproof bowl and add the water. Put the bowl in the microwave oven and heat it on high for approx. 30 secs. Stir the marshmallows until smooth and sticky. This is the time where you can add your chosen food color/cocoa powder or give it flavour.

Now add the icing sugar and stir the mixture with a well greased spoon. Keep adding icing sugar until it looks like a dough. Turn out the “dough” on a greased work board and with your hands greased with Crisco start kneading the marshmallow fondant. Keep adding the icing sugar a little at a time until it is not sticky anymore.

Be careful not to use all the icing sugar as too much icing sugar can make it too dry. It is ready when it feels pliable and ready to roll. If you are not using the marshmallow fondant straight away, rub a bit of Crisco on it and wrap it in cling-film and seal it in an airtight bag.

Or to save yourself some trouble, just buy a pack of marzipan (aka white fondant) at any supermarkets. To colour the marzipan, use a toothpick to dip into the gel paste (a little goes a long way) and put it on the marzipan and knead till there's no visible streaks left.

A little more about...

Our Pride & Joy (when she's quiet & nice) with The Hubby


The Family

& more of the frumpy homebaker...That said, I really got to change my hairstyle.

New Kitchen, New Look

With everything packed, stacked and boxes chocked full of baking supplies, I can finally bid farewell to my old unpredictable oven which, I feel, longs to take a break from the heat and overuse.

As we awaits our move into the new kitchen, I've been playing around with the blog's templates, colors and fonts but still undecided on the final look. After hours of previewing and pestering the Hubby to decide, we finally settle for the plain but refreshing new look.

Hope you all like it!

pssst: or maybe I should stick to the old one?