Charity Bake Sale

My colleagues and I organized a bake sale to raise money for the Cambodian orphans. As you know, I've only baked once in my life and that was under mom's supervision. Yet, without hesitation, I created an order menu on the fly, took orders, and collected cash deposit. Fake it till I make it and yes, I shall deliver!

The next day, I borrowed recipe books and bought baking supplies with the deposit. Over the weekend, I baked my first few batches of cupcakes of different flavours. That evening, we were attending a friend's dinner gathering so I brought along the cupcakes. :) Our friends loved 'em all and they went home with doggy bags of cupcakes! The pilot run was a success!

The day before the charity sale, I took a day off and baked from morning till late night. Baking was pretty enjoyable and piping icing was even more fun. My friend Hui Hui popped by that evening. She helped to decorate the cupcakes and pack 'em into boxes.

We raised $1000+ from the bake sale. So proud of myself. :) I delivered what my heart set out to accomplish. Special thanks to my mom for her foresight gifting me the cake mixer, knowing I'd put it to good use someday. It was the best birthday gift ever! Thank you mom. 💖

Orange cupcakes (serves 18 cupcakes)

Ingredients

• 250g caster sugar
• 225g of unsalted butter
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup of warm milk
• 280g self raising flour
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of butter oil
• 4 teaspoons of orange zest
• Paper cupcakes

Icing

• 200g icing sugar
• 70g butter
• 30ml milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence
• 2 teaspoons of orange zest
• A few drops of colouring as desired

Preparation

1. Preheat oven at 160 degrees Celsius.
2. Beat butter and sugar for 5 minutes until fluffy.
3. Add eggs (with yolk), one at a time, and beat to combine.
4. Sift the flour into a bowl and add the salt.
5. Add flour and milk to the mixer, alternating flour and milk, one after another. 
6. Then add butter oil and beat for 3 minutes.
7. Scoop the batter into the paper cupcakes until 65% filled.
8. Finally, bake mixture in preheated oven for 19 minutes or until well baked.
9. Leave it to cool before icing.
10. To make the icing, beat the icing sugar and butter until fluffy. 
11. Add milk and vanilla essence, Mix to form creamy icing. Add colouring as you like. 
12. Scoop icing into piping bag and pipe it onto the cooled cupcakes.
13. Finally, add sprinkles and orange zest to decorate. 

Recipe: Chocolate cupcake

Orange cupcakes (serves 18 cupcakes):

Ingredients

• 250g caster sugar
• 250g of unsalted butter
• 4 eggs
• 340ml warm milk
• 330g self raising flour
• 60g cocoa powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of butter oil
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
• Paper cupcakes

Preparation

1. Preheat oven at 160 degrees Celsius.
2. Beat butter and sugar for 5 minutes until fluffy.
3. Add eggs (with yolk), one at a time, and beat to combine.
4. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a bowl and add the salt.
5. Add the flour and milk mixture to the stand mixer, alternating flour and milk one after another. Then add butter oil and beat for 3 minutes.
6. Scoop the batter into the paper cupcakes until 65% filled.
7. Finally, bake mixture in preheated oven for 19 minutes or until well baked.

Baking cupcakes with mom

During my recent home trip, I pestered mom to teach me how to bake a cake. She gave me the look, "Oh sure! Never thought you'd ever ask." *exciting* Mom suggested I start with cupcakes first and once I succeed, then only I bake cakes. So, we spent the afternoon baking. 

The cupcakes were turned out perfect. Beginner's luck, hehe. But I can't believe the amount of sugar used to bake cupcakes. No wonder kids love it cos it's so sweet. I also realized baking isn't difficult at all. I just need to follow the recipe step-by-step.

Butter cupcakes (serves 18 cupcakes)

Ingredients

• 250g of unsalted butter, softened
• 250g sugar
• 4 to 5 eggs
• 250g plain flour
• 3 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
• 1 teaspoon of butter oil
• 1 cup of milk
• Paper cupcakes

Preparation

1. Preheat oven at 160 degrees Celsius. 
2. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs (with yolk), one at a time, and beat to combine.
4. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and add the salt.
5. Add vanilla essence and butter oil and beat for 3 minutes.
6. Scrape the batter into the paper cupcakes.
7. Finally, bake mixture in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until well baked.

My Virgin Tiramisu

Inspired by Tiramisu Hero, I decided to make tiramisu for the very first time. I was so excited. I bought the ingredients, a balloon whisk, and stole the boyfriend's stash of rum.

If you don't already know, the boyfriend is extremely fussy with food. "Hmmm... Very good. Just like the ones in Italy. But dear, please don't use 23 year old premium rum, okay? We'll get cheaper rum for tiramisu," he said. HAHAHAHA.  

Tiramisu (serves 6 to 8)

Ingredients

• 36 pieces ladyfingers  
• 450g mascarpone cheese
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 whipped egg white
• 150g sugar
• 12 cups of sugarless coffee
• Rum liquor  
• Powdered plain cocoa

Preparation

1. Whisk the egg white.
2. Beat the egg yolks separately with sugar in a bowl until a frothy mixture; then stir in the mascarpone cheese and mix carefully.
3. Add in the egg white and mix well into a smooth cream.
4. In a baking dish, spread a layer of cream.
5. Soak the ladyfingers in liquor coffee, on both sides, and line them on top of the cream.
6. Pour second layer of cream and arrange more coffee-soaked ladyfingers on top.
7. Top with another layer of cream, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
8. Using a sieve, sprinkle powdered cocoa generously over the cream.
9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. It's at its best if prepared 1 day in advance.