Simple and lemony

I was cracking my head on what to make for my husband's birthday. I was also thinking of an appropriate design for the cake when he said that all he wants for his birthday is a lemon cheesecake.

I was looking forward to making something different but I guess I just have to do what the birthday boy wants. So lemon cheesecake it was ....

Swiss Meringue Butter Cream

There is only one word to describe this frosting ... Yummyyyy!!! It's light and delicious.

I have always been using butter icing: a combination of butter, icing sugar, pinch of salt and vanilla essence. And I love it.

Swiss Meringue Butter Cream (SMBC) is something that I have seen in recipe books but I never tried it out until yesterday.

I used SMBC to frost the Chocolate Oreo cupcakes. This frosting is very simple to make. I found the recipe on Dyann Bakes.

First, double boil the the eggs whites, sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture on the double boil.


Keep whisking until the sugar is disolved. If the sugar is not completely dissolved, then the end result will be grainy.

Then remove from heat and whisk it at medium speed on a mixer until meringue is stiff, and the mixing bowl is cool to the touch. The meringue will be white and shiny, and sticky!

Here's a tip: To save time and mess, I used my Kenwood mixing bowl over the double boil. Then straight onto the mixer. Do this only if your mixing bowl is heat resistant.

As you can see, I am using a thermometer below. You don't need a thermometer to do this recipe. I was just testing out my new toy.

Only when the bowl is cool, switch to the paddle attachment. Still on medium speed, add the butter a few cubes at a time.

A word of caution: You want to combine the meringue and butter evenly. If the bowl is still hot, the butter will melt and will not combine well.

Continue beating until butter is mixed well. If at any point in time, you find that the mixture looks watery or curdling, don't panic. Keep beating and until it all comes together.

Then increase the speed and beat until everything is smooth.

Lastly, add flavorings or colour of your choice. I used vanilla essence.

Below are cupcakes decorated by my three mini chefs!


My next project: Italian Meringue Butter Cream (IMBC).

A surprise from Australia

I would say these are double treats: Chocolate Oreo cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Butter Cream topped with Oreo cookies.

A birthday gift for a guy who loves Oreo cookies. These cuppies were requested by his friend who is studying in Australia.

Another toy!

I got another early birthday gift. A digital thermometer from my friend, Manjeet.

This was really a pleasant surprise.

Recently, we went to Pastry Pro to collect an edible image icing that I had ordered.

While I was talking to the lady at the counter about my order, my friend was busy checking out a digital thermometer. A little later, she asked me if I had bought one and I said no. I asked her if she was getting one and she said yes. Even then I didn't suspect anything.

We always joked that Manjeet buys more stuff than me when we go to a baking supply shop. Manjeet does not not bake, nevertheless, she is one of my biggest supporters. :)

Right after we got into the car, she was bursting with excitement when she handed me a plastic bag. She said that she couldn't wait that long for my birthday to pass me my gift.

Inside the bag, you guessed it, was a digital thermometer! Thank you so much, Manjeet!

This toy will be handy for chocolate and sugar work. You need to know the right temperature to temper chocolate and cook sugar to create works of art. Or even use it when I make the Italian Meringue Butter Cream!

I wonder if there are any more surprises like this coming my way!

It's never enough

I told myself that when I get my hands on Planet Cake, I will have all the books I need. That's it, no more books on cakes or cake decorating.

Boy, was I wrong! I read alot of cake book reviews and now, I am itching to get Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat and Mich Turner's Spectacular Cakes.

And again, I tell myself that when I get those books, my collection will be complete.

It's a good investment for my cake making hobby but, *sniff* *sniff* :(, it sure will burn a hole in my pocket.

The book list will be endless, I am sure!

I love my garden

Kiran ordered this cake for her father-inlaw's 68th birthday. He loves his garden.

I chose this design because it is different from the usual: guy standing upright and mowing the lawn. This somehow seems more humorous.

This is a design inspired by Small Iced Things. Thanks, Nicky, for allowing me use your design!

Let's play poker!

This cake is for a young man who loves playing poker. His family and friends organised a farewell party for him as he will be going abroad to further his studies.

All the best to you!