Devil's Food Cake..

Too much frosting!

I've always wanted to create the perfect chocolate cake my entire baking life. I've came across recipes of famous pastry chefs from different countries (from books) and little did I know that I would find it from one of our country's most popular and multi-awarded pastry chef, Chef Ernie Babaran.

It's only now that I realize it just takes a little bit of faith and perspective to achieve one's dream, based on a feature I read about Chef Ernie's very inspiring story. His Fundamentals of Pastry Arts class is the one thing I look forward to the most every week. It's amazing how you can learn so many things in a short period of time. It's truly an honor to be in the same kitchen as he is.

Devil's Food Cake is a moist, deep dark chocolate layer cake. Anyone with a chocolate addiction will surely be satisfied with its intense chocolate flavor. Of course, you're going to get it from the best brands of cocoa and chocolate compound. I used Valrhona with this cake and it was absolutely superb. There are also some ingredients I get to use for the first time and because of the awesomeness of this recipe, I'd sure still be making it in the future.

Recipe Link
Devil's Food Cake

'Ice'-ing On The Cake..

I couldn't just let a significant day for my friends and family go by without whipping up a little something for them, anyone that is important to me. I once made a birthday cake for my grandmother a couple of years ago. It honestly looked really bad, but it tasted pretty good. If you guys remember, I made Pink and Purple cupcakes for my lovely niece Bianca on her 7th birthday last year. And how could I ever forget my friend Fleur's 25 and Fabulous birthday party. Just recently, I also made my husband a birthday cake, unfortunately I wasn't able to take pictures because we don't have the camera at the moment. Baking for them makes me happy.

A couple of weeks back, my sister Ella and I were planning about my niece's 1st birthday party over the phone. I was once again asked to make cupcakes and of course, I gladly took the job. Then I thought it's about time I explore the colorful world of cake decorating and make a 9 inch Chocolate Cake with Vanilla frosting. I was pretty scared at first but I went on and dominate the frosting.

It was actually not that complicated. You just need the right tools and be focused. Take your time, don't rush. Feel confident that you'll get it done and relax. That's the main thing I learned in the process.

I've been watching cake decorating videos on youtube for years and I can say it really helped me a lot. My wonderful husband also provided me with books of professional cake decorators where I discovered the dos and donts, and which flavor of frosting best matches with  different flavors of cakes. My sister Ella gave me a turntable which is one the must-haves when it come to decorating cakes specially for the round ones. I know the cake isn't perfect, but I am happy that I was able to pipe pearl borders in a cake for the first time. The little black dots were supposed to look like mickey but unfortunately didn't turn out that way but I know I can do better next time.

The cake and cupcake toppers were made by my sister. It was just simply googled, printed then taped in a toothpick and I can say it was real cute though my sister had a hard time cutting them.

I felt good about the result of my hard work, above all the little troubles I went through. I have to say it was a little better looking than I expected. :)

Peanut Butter Cup Bars..

Once again, a Peanut Butter dessert that will surely bring the house down. Since I wanted to do something productive with the last bottle of peanut butter in my kitchen, not just to spread it on bread or pancakes, I decided to make Peanut Butter Cup Bars again from Brown Eyed Baker.

Photo taken by Brown Eyed Baker

I must say, It is absolutely fantastic! Texture was amazing, not overwhelmingly sweet and you get the subtle taste of the graham crackers. Need I say more! It is the perfect giveaway for the holidays coz it's ridiculously easy to make and it's delicious. Go on and see for yourself.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars Recipe
(Recipe adapted from Stylish Cuisine)

Peanut Butter Fudge..

Peanut butter is one of the best things in life. I can practically live with just bread and peanut butter and anything with peanut butter in it never fails to satisfy my taste buds. I remember when I was just getting started to learn how to bake, I made Chocolate and PB Swirl Bars, though it didn't look pleasant in the eyes it tasted so good, that I almost ate half the pan by myself (of course I gave our friends and neighbors a few slices). My husband is also a big fan and he loves it on Chocolate Cupcakes. I can say that Chocolate is always and always will be its perfect match.

I was unaware that I still have 2 bottles of Peter Pan in my kitchen (leftovers from my hectic December last year)  and being the peanut butter freak that I am, I spontaneously knew what I was going to do with it. First, I made Peanut Butter Fudge from The Brown Eyed Baker. The love for peanut butter is the greatest thing we have in common. I am a huge fan of the blog coz she features stupendously simple and luscious recipes of any kind.

Photo from Brown Eyed Baker

The fudge was absolutely amazing! The texture was good, a little too sweet I can say but all in all, it's the perfect go to dessert. The amount of butter really accentuated the bursting flavor of the peanut butter. I put in small paper cups and boxed it for my friends to share and they went nuts about it.

Go on and share the love! :D
Just click the link below for the recipe.
Peanut Butter Fudge
(Recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking)

Tyrone & Amor's Wedding Cupcakes..

The day finally came for our friend Tyrone's wedding. It was long confirmed and finalized that I will be catering cupcakes for their wedding. The first design plan was actually the Popcorn Cupcakes we made as samples to match their movies/Hollywood theme but the bride didn't agree with it and went for the simple and traditional look.

Chocolate Cupcake with Bride & Groom Candy Topper..

The color themes were red and silver, so I did it with red frosting and just topped 40 pieces of the cuppies with metallic dragees for a silver touch. It was a hundred Chocolate Cupcakes with bride and groom candy topper.

The wedding was just amazingly fabulous. It was thee wedding every bride would wish for. The bride Amor was glowing beautifully in her sparkly white dress, and Tyrone was just as perfect. My daughter Kursten was one of the flower girls and I can say the entourage's wardrobes were astonishing. The reception venue was gorgeous and the food was absolutely mind-blowing. Amor did a pretty good job in organizing everything.

Congratulations You Two!! Have a wonderful life together.. :D

Cupcakes for the Christmas Season..

December was undoubtedly the busiest month for us bakers because of the holiday season. I was absolutely thrilled because it was the most number of cupcake order I've had so far and I'm delightful that I was able to give my customers the best service they deserve. It was true when I mentioned 'nothing satisfies me more than happy customers'. :D

I got a huge order of assorted cupcakes from my uncle Romel on the first week of December. He was very specific about the cupcake designs that I'm terrified I might not be able to make it. Some of the frosting designs I made wasn't actually what we agreed about but he still loved it. Thank God! I was really exhausted in the process, but gladly fulfilled at the end of the day. It was fun doing business with him, considering I was only 3 or 4 the last time I saw him. It was like having a reunion and doing business at the same time.

Banana Chocolate, Chocolate Vanilla and Butter Vanilla..

My friend Arlyn who I used to work with back at Ignite Media Incorporated is a fan of KC's Cupcakes (not to brag :D) that it is indeed why it was her first choice to give away for the holidays. (Thanks Ate Arlyn!) :D

 

Anette is a common friend of my husband and I. She ordered a dozen Banana Cupcakes and a dozen Molten Chocolate Cake to add up on their Christmas Feast.

These are just the few works I had for the holiday season. All in all, I am grateful that KC's Cupcakes did so well for the year 2010. And I hope it gets better as I continue my journey as a baker for the year 2011. I look forward to new challenges and more learning, to strengthen my craft and love for baking.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!! :D