Soft & Fluffy Milk Bread

Ingredients
70g water
60g milk
5g instant dry yeast

38g sugar
5g salt
1 egg

250g bread flour
40g butter

Directions

• combine water, milk and yeast in a bowl
• add sugar salt and egg and mix well
• add bread flour till evenly combined with a spatula and leave covered for 15min
• knead dough till smooth and add in butter (low speed on KA 2 for 5min using dough hook)
• knead till window pane stage and smooth (medium speed KA 4-5 for 30min), round & put into a bowl, cover with clingwrap and let proof for 1hr 
• cut and shape into buns (8-10pcs)
• cover with clingwrap and leave for 15min
• roll each bun flat, then fold like swiss roll or add any filling
• arrange into a baking tray and leave for another 1hr
• apply egg wash before baking for 12-15min at 170-180°C
• once removed from oven, brush with melted butter

Cream Cheese Filling

200g cream cheese

30g sugar

~ just mix together using a spatula

Foodnote: Oh Em Gee... this recipe is so awesome. Got it from the internet here. I tried kneading by hand and honestly it took me like forever lol. But somehow after more than 1/2 hour of sweat and hitting the dough on the counter top...  finally the dough is no longer sticky and come together and I get the window pane stage. That is the main trick of getting super soft dough. The bread is unbelievably soft and yummy. After baking, it is super soft and delicious just like from the bakery yum yum... I love it so much! The next day it is still soft ooh la laaaa... (psst... will try to use the mixer next time hehe)

Update: So I made this again on 1503 and this time I use the KitchenAid mixer. I divided the dough into 10 (~50g each)... 5 filled with red bean paste (20g) that I bought from Sheng Siong which is nicer than the one from Bake King and another 5 with cream cheese (~1 tbsp). Super yummy and pillowy soft! 

No Sugar Artisan Bread

Ingredients
2 cups of bread flour
1 cup of very warm water (not boiling)
1/2 tbsp salt
1/2 tbsp active yeast
melted butter + white sesame (optional)

Roasted garlic & spring onion butter spread

• mix soft salted butter with roasted chopped garlic and spring onion

Directions

• add the salt and yeast to the warm water in a big bowl
• add in the flour and mix with a spatula or by hand till evenly mixed... it will be sticky
• cover it with clingwrap or if the bowl comes with a cover, leave a small gap for air to escape and leave it to rise for 2 hours (it should double in size)
• flour your hand to handle the dough and divide into 2 equal portions
• round the dough and place it on a parchment paper (or grease the tray) and leave to proof for another 40min
• after 40min, pre-heat the oven to 170-180°C
• brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle white sesame (optional as I find the sesame don't stick well)
• score the dough on the sides and top
• bake for 30 minutes with a water tray at the bottom
• after 30 minutes, turn off the heat and leave the door of the oven open for 15-30 mins 

Foodnote: After trying out the killer toast recipe, I just have to try this easy no knead artisan bread that requires no sugar. Although it is time consuming to have to wait for the dough to rise etc. but it can also be left in the fridge overnight and the next day, just shape and bake. I actually only bake 1/4 of the actual recipe and I got 2 big round loaves of bread that can last me for 2-3 days!! I also made a mistake ggrrr... I found a craft cutter instead of my scoring knife. No wonder it is not sharp that I have to use my knife. After that... than I found my scoring knife ggrrrrr... Definitely will be making this again for my upcoming potluck session... AAANDD... using my scoring knife this time round!! Another mistake I did is to use a greaseproof baking paper instead of parchment paper so the bottom stick ~sigh. Need to slice the paper off the bottom hhhmmm. Next time will just grease the baking tray. Taste wise... very nice when it is hot to eat with butter and jam. Very chewy so obviously I love the killer toast more. However... still nice and I finish a whole loaf *hide*

Made this again for potluck session. This time, I prepared garlic and spring onion spread. It is really yummy and a hot favourite with my friends!! I tried to demo but run out of bread flour so we got Bake King bread flour instead of Prima which I used previously. The dough came out very sticky hhhmmm. Maybe need more flour for different brand of bread flour. Will take note.

Chocolate Chiffon

Ingredients of Part A
Group 1
108g egg yolks (6 nos large eggs)
120ml milk
75ml oil
30g castor sugar

Group 2 (sift together)
120g cake flour (I use Hong Kong flour)
30g cocoa powder (I use Valrhorna)
3g baking powder
3g baking soda
4g salt

Ingredients for Part B
Group 3
228 egg whites
90g castor sugar
3g cream of tartar

Directions

Part A

• in a large mixing bowl add egg yolks, milk and sugar and use hand whisk till fully combined
• pour in oil and mix again using zig zag motion
• add in Group 2 in batches and mix till well incorporated and batter is creamy flowy

Part B

• in a mixer with balloon whisk attachment, whisk in eggs white till frothy before adding in cream of tartar
• whisk till soft peak and gradually add in caster sugar
• increase speed (KA4) and whisk till firm peak

Final Steps

• add 1/3 of egg whites meringue into Part A mixture with hand whisk to lighten the batter
• add another 1/3 mixture till fully combined
• lastly add the final portion and whisk till fully combined before switching to spatula to scoop up from bottom to fold up until no streaks of Part A batter can be seen
• fill in 3/4 of chiffon pan (23cm) and use a skewer to run around through the batter to remove anyair bubbles
• bake at 160°C for at least 40-50min
• remove from oven and turn it upside down on a rack to cool down
• once cooled, use a sharp knife to release the edges and inner ring through pulling motion
• remove from pan and use the knife again to releave the cake from the base of the pan
• ready to serve!!

Foodnote: I usually like the normal pandan chiffon cake but fell in love with this one! It is so soft and the taste is oh so awesome. We even eat it with chocolate ganache... oooh la la... Thank you Chef Susan for this recipe. Hope to attend her bread class next?

So I tried to make this chiffon cake on 12 Sep 2020 and it was a success!! I followed Chef Low advise to use Hong Kong flour instead. Turns out very nice and this really gives me more confidence to bake more chiffon cake woohoo... 

Pandan Chiffon Cake

(Measurement for single 18cm portion. Double portion for 23-25cm chiffon pan)
Ingredients Part A
Group 1
140g egg yolk (8 large eggs)
120g coconut milk
8g kopoe kopoe pandan paste
80g vegetable oil

Group 2
140g sifted cake flour
5g salt

Ingredients Part B
Group 3
210g egg whites
140g castor sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Directions
Part A

• in a big bowl combine egg yolk with coconut milk to prevent hydration while preparing other ingredients
• whisk Group 1 centre to side till completely mixed adding oil last
• add Group 2 and whisk till batter is smooth and no lumps
• once mixture is creamy and flowy, put it aside to prepare Part B

Part B

• using a mixer with balloon whisk attachment, whisk egg whites until frothy before adding in cream of tartar and whisk till soft peak
• gradually add in the castor sugar and then whisk on higher speed (KA8 -10) till firm peak

Final Steps

• scoop 1/3 of egg whites meringue into Part A and fold in till fully combined making sure to scrap the bottom of the bowl
• fold in the rest of the egg whites in 2 more batches
• fill in 3/4 of chiffon pan and use a skewer to run around through the batter to remove any air bubbles
• bake at 160°C for 40min to 1hr till skewer comes clean from center of cake
• remove from oven and turn it upside down on a rack to cool down
• once cooled, use a sharp knife to release the edges and inner ring through pulling motion
• remove from pan and use the knife again to releave the cake from the base of the pan
• ready to serve!!

Foodnote: Glad that I now can make my own chiffon cake weeee.... I also discovered from FB similar technique of baking that produces super soft spongy cake. Will definitely be trying those recipes. I am so happy and looking forward to more bakes this year!

Today 19 September 2020, I finally tried to make pandan chiffon cake at home. I feel more confident after the success of making chocolate chiffon cake by substituting the flour. Since I still have hong kong flour, I use it for pandan chiffon too. The cake become so fluffy that it cracked hehe. But texture and form is very satisfying. Will definitely be trying to make other flavor of chiffon. Feeling satisfied and glad that I take the Basic Cake course yippee.... 

Vanilla Swiss Roll with Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients for Sponge Cake
160g egg whites
120g castor sugar
120g egg yolks
70g cake flour (sift 3x)
a pinch of salt
40g vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

• pre-heat oven to 170 degree C and prepare baking pan lined with baking paper
• whisk egg whites on medium speed with balloon attachment till soft peak
• gradually add in sugar till firm peak (ie when whisk is lifted, egg whites form peak that is hooked)
• add in egg yolks one at a time on low speed just till evenly mixed with every addition
• sift flour and salt directly over the batter in 3 batches and use a hand whisk to mix it evenly (do not over whisk or the batter will deflate
• temper oil with 2 scoop of batter
• pour back tempered oil into the batter and mix well
• add in vanilla extract and use a spatula to fold the mixture to fold gently until evenly mix
• bang mixing bowl on counter top 2 - 3 time to remove big air bubble
• spread batter into baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula pushing batter into the corners
• jiggle pan lightly to level the batter and tap on countertop gently twice
• bake on middle rack for about 20min till middle of cake is springy
• remove from oven and drop pan from 1" high for 3-4x to release side of cake and to prevent cake from sinking
• remove cake from pan and flip cake on a clean baking paper, skin side facing down
• place a clean baking paper on top of cake and flip cake over again, now skin side facing up
• leave cake to cool on wire rack

To assemble cake

• place cake on a new piece of baking paper, skin side facing down now
• peel baking paper on cake
• spread chocolate ganache
• roll cake on baking paper to guide along

Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache filling
200g dark chocolate couveture (55%)
200g heavy cream (35% whipping cream)
20g honey to add shine
20g butter (optional)
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

• heat cream on low heat and keep stirring till bubbly on the sides
• remove from heat and pour in the chocolate
• let it soak for a while
• using a spatula, stir center to side... center to side
• to put aside before using, cover with clingwrap touching the chocolate and use another clingwrap to cover the bowl

Foodnote: TBC

Vanilla Sponge Cake

Ingredients for Sponge Cake
Part 1
275g eggs (5 nos.)
10g vanilla extract
130g castor sugar

Part 2
130g cake flour (sifted 3x)

Part 3
30g vegetable oil

Directions

• in a mixer with balloon attachment, whisk eggs, vanilla extract and castor sugar on low for a while just to combine all ingredients together
• turn to high speed (KA 8-10) for 8min
• turn to lower speed (KA 3-4) for another 2min
• total should be 10min to reach a ribbon stage
• remove batter from mixer and fold in cake flour in 2 batches
• in a separate small bowl add in the oil and scoop in some batter into the oil and mix well (oil tempering)
• pour back the oil mixture into the batter and mix well
• prepare 2 nos. of 6" cake rings by lining it with baking paper (inner) and aluminium foil (outer)
• scoop batter into each mould: 140g portion
• bake at 190°C for 18min
• turn cake over to cool it
• once cool, slice each cake into 2 and decorate it with cream, coulis jam or fruits
• chill before serving

Ingredients for Chantilly Cream

500g non-dairy whipping cream

50g icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Directons

• whisk all ingredients with balloon attachment till firm peak and keep in the fridge till ready to use. If over beat, just add a bit more cream to soften the cream

Foodnote: TBC

The Killer Toast

Ingredients
260g bread flour (I use Japanese bread flour)
3g instant dry yeast
160g egg (one extra large egg) + full cream milk mixture
30g sugar
2g salt
30g salted butter

Directions

• mix all dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl then add in egg+milk mixture using paddle attachment till it comes together (5min)
• add in butter and mix till window pane stage (20min low and 10min high speed)
• round and rest dough for 10min
• divide into 3 portions and roll flat like a swiss roll and place in bread loaf pan
• proof till dough reaches 90% of pan height (about 1hr in the oven with hot water)
• bake in oven at 175°C for 45-50min (for open top, cover with aluminium foil if the top gets too brown around 20-25min)

Foodnote: Came across this recipe here and I just have to try it because I have all the ingredients on hand and it looks so simple and easy. However, I only have a small egg weighing 45g hehe... but it still comes out good. This recipe is a keeper!! Love that the portion is for a single loaf. I ate it warm with melted butter yum yum... love the crispy tasty crust. Oh yeah... store the bread in airtight container.

Check out how I use this recipe to make cat loaf.

Sweet Corn Custard Pudding

Ingredients
130g custard powder
130g castor sugar
35g gula melaka or palm sugar
250g evaporated milk (can use coconut milk but I don't have any)
380g cream style cream of corn (I use 1 tetrapack of del Monte)
a pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
500ml water

Directions

• blend/whisk custard powder, sugar, milk/coconut milk till no lumps
• in a pan/wok bring water to a boil and pour in the custard mixture followed by the cream corn, vanilla & salt stirring constantly
• keep stirring till mixture thickens (around 10-15min)
• turn off fire and scoop into mould or pan to room temperature (15min)
• chill in the freezer till set about 3-4 hour and cut to serve

Foodnote: I love corn pudding. I ever tried once but it didn't set properly *pout. Finally decided to make it again after my SIL send me a small container recently and I ate just few pieces and the rest was cleared by my niece. This time... success!!! I think I may have cooked too long and the top doesn't look smooth sob sob... oh well...