My KitCHEn Experiments

I have always been a sucker for dessert, I would eat it all day if calories and sugar were of no question and it was at a dessert buffet station that I discovered this sweet and crunchy treat! This finger licking treat is so addicting that I went back for seconds... thirds... fourths... and countless times over - gushing how it is the perfect combination of sweet, fruity and crunchy. It is super easy to make too!!! Dessert Nachos Ingredients: - small tortillas - melted butter - cinnamon sugar - diced strawberry, kiwi, apples - flavored youghurt - chocolate sauce how to: - brush tortillas with melted butter on both sides, cut into triangles - toss in cinnamon sugar - line in baking tray in single layer and bake for 5 mins, flipping halfway through - pile chips on serving plate and top with dices fruits, drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with youghurt

I've never met a cookie I didn't like, and yes I love even the 'healthy ones', and while a plate of freshly baked cookies brings comfort like a warm hug kicking your cookie up a notch is like a warm hug and a kiss on top of the head! Cookie Dome Cake Ingredients: - cookies - milk - chopped chocolate - 1 small pack all all purpose cream - nuts, sprinkles etc for topping how to: - heat cream in a small saucepan - pour over chocolate, let sit for a few minutes and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. set aside - line bowl with cling wrap - dip cookies in milk and arrange in single layer in the bottom and along sides of the bowl - top with chocolate cream and your choice of toppings - alternate layers - chill for a few hours - invert unto a bowl and cover with remaining chocolate cream and toppings. yummeeehh!!!!

What do you do to salvage a sunken cake? make cake balls of course!!! I have done this even before cake balls became the rage - yeeaaaarrsss ago. I just could not bear to throw away my cake when the baking had failed and am left with a sunken center, I just had to do something and so i made cake balls and my tasters were none the wiser tee hee!! For New Year's Eve, I was tasked to make another cake. I was just planning a simple chocolate ring cake and drown it in chocolate fudge (as requested) and decorate it with colorful sprinkles and candy. So I made the batter and stuck it in the oven, but I must have lowered the oven temp to less than required - I was online and greeting friends and family over facebook and was scared I'd forget the cake and burn it, so the result was a sunken cake. I can not present it for NYE dessert so I rushed to start again and salvage the first one by making cake balls - the center was still so moist that frosting wasn't required, so yay!! ...

... It's been a while since I made a layer cake primarily because with my small oven, I have to bake 2 to 3 batches of cake base and I just get lazy sometimes that I just end up making cupcakes. I was thinking of making cupcakes for our Christmas party but decided to make a layer cake so I'd have more 'canvas' for decoration. I was thinking of trying to make a full fondant layer cake but with no days off from work I was pressed for time so I retorted to whipped cream frosting and decorated with white chocolate snowflakes.  3 layer cake with fruit and cream filling 

I am always for the look out for simple recipes that I can make whenever a baking mood strikes. I love those kind that does not require you to make a trip to the grocery; does not need you to bring out the mixer or a couple of bowls and pans (easy clean-up); and can be whipped up and into the oven in 10 minutes or less. This is such one recipe - easy and simple but oh so yummy! Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake   Ingredients: - 1/3 cup white sugar - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup white sugar - 1 egg, beaten - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup vegetable oil - 1 medium apple diced   how to: - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a bundt pan in a small bowl mix apple, cinammon and 1/3 cup sugar. - In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and 1 cup sugar. Add egg, milk, and oil to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened. - Pour half ...

I have just recently visited the lovely city of Prague and with only a few days to spend there what better way to get a taste of Czech culture than to eat. During my travels I make it my top agenda to research traditional must-try dishes and bravely take a spoonful if not a plateful of the stuff. In Prague I tried the pork knee and fruit dumplings.   I am kind of missing Prague at the moment so I decided to reasearch for a recipe for Ovocne Knedliky, good thing the ingredients are not so complicated and the steps simple enough that I was able to recreate (somewhat) those fluffy fruit dumplings! Ovocne Knedliky (Fruit Dumplings) ingredients: - 2 cups flour - 1/4 cup milk - 1 egg - 2 tbsp butter - 1/4 tsp salt - fuit of your choice, traditional Czech's use plums but I only have canned peaches so that's what I used - cinammon sugar - melted butter - dollops of whipped cream how to: - mix flour and salt in a bowl - make a well in the center - mix the mi...

When I went for vacation in the Philippines a few months back, there are all sorts of new food trends and one of them is mochi ice cream balls. I decided to try them out one day but was surprised by the crazy expensive price tag so I decided to forego it and bought my self a real ice cream treat instead.   A couple of weeks ago I came across a mochi ice cream ball recipe and could not believe how simple the ingredients are and how easy it seems to make. All I needed was glutinous rice powder, water, sugar, food coloring and ice cream - all of which I have on hand so its experiment time!!! Mochi Ice Cream Balls ingredients: - 1 cup glutinous rice powder - 1/2 cup or more water - 2 tbsp sugar - a few drops of food color you want - ice cream of your choice how to: - scoop the ice cream into small balls and re-freeze until hard - mix the glutinous rice powder, sugar and food color in a bowl - gradually add water until mixture resembles thick batter - micro...

My friend requested that I make cupcakes for her daugther's cristening, I have posted a Serah project plan board a few days ago but some of my plans didn't quite come out successfully. The supposedly pink starberry flavored cupcakes did not stay pink after baking and I didn't have enough time to make the rainbow cookies. I have decided also, to go stawberry on stawberry and chocolate on mocha, that way the flavors won't be confusing to kids who will be at the party. My mixer also gave out the day I had frosting duties that I have to go out and buy a replacement in a rush, giving me just anough time go get everything together whew!        strawberry cupcakes with stawberry frosting decorated with pink sugar crystals fondant topped chocolate cupcakes      wrapped up the cupcakes to go!      chocolate cupcakes with mocha frosting with sprinkles mallow pops

I have always dreamed of hosting an intimate dinner party or get-together of sorts just so I can serve chocolate fondue for dessert. I bet dunking morsels of cake and fruit into creamy chocolate would be decadently fun. I haven't gotten to hosting that party - heck I haven't even got a fondue set but who's to say I can't have a chocolate dipping party for one???! Chocolate Fondue : ingredients: - package or can of cream - 1/2 tbsp butter - 2 tbsp of cocoa - 1 cup of powdered sugar - 1/4 cup hot water how to: - in a small bowl mix the cocoa and sugar into the hot water until dissolved. set aside - heat the butter and cream in a heavy saucepan on low fire - add the cocoa mixture. mix until cocoa is incorporated. - continue stirring for five minutes on low, not allowing the chocolate mixture to boil - transfer into a bowl and serve with sliced fruits, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, pound cake etc dip, dip and dip away!!!

when the mood to make something sweet and fast for a visit with friends strikes, Tiramisu is my go to recipe. It's fast, easy and no baking required!  Tiramisu ingredients: - 1 pack Italian Lady Fingers ( I used a 200 gram pack which was approx 24 pcs) - 2 packets dream whip and enough milk required to make 2 cups of whipped cream - 1/2 cup powdered cocoa - cup strong black coffee - 2 cups shaved chocolate or chocolate chips how to: - pour coffee in shallow bowl, dip each lady finger and arrange it in a single layer on an 8x8 pan - pour half of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with shaved chocolate or chips - lay down another layer of coffee dipped lady fingers - pour the remaining cup of whipped cream and top with remaining chocolate - with a small sieve, dust cocoa powder all over the cake - refrigerate until ready to serve  forgive me for using all instant! sorry no mascarpone cheese in this recipe just good ol whipped cr...

It has been my habit to make goodies for friends, office mates and family for no special reason other than I wanted to try some new recipe or cooking idea. It's a win win situation you see - I get to satisfy my cooking curiosity and they can feast on the results - that is if it is edible enough!!! I had been seeing poke cake recipes on Pinterest made with vanilla pudding and though it didn't interest me at first, it kept on appearing on boards so I decided to give it a try with the results of which I will share with co workers from a branch of our office where I had been reporting to for the last two months. Poke Cakes were invented in 1969 primarily as a way to increase Jello sales,  jello poke cakes became popular thanks to its festive looks and easy of assembly - all youe need to do is holes in th cake and pour  jello (or pudding) on top which seeps into the holes thus you get colorful lines of flavor. I m...

Eversince I saw that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S wherein Ross smashed that piece of scone in his fury over his ex-wife Emily, I was intrigued. As I have written before I like having tea and what better way to enjoy an afternoon cuppa tea than with dainty baked British pastry to go with it. I love Harry Potter, I love their accent and though it is on a completely unrelated level, sometimes I just like to pretend I am having afternoon tea under the sun in a frilly girly dress, sipping tea from a dainty fine cup with my pinky sticking up. Chocolate Chip Scones ingredients: -2 cups white all purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup sugar - 4 tablespoons cold butter, sliced - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 3/4 cup milk  - 1/2 cup chocolate chips or morsels how to : - Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar - cut the butter into the flour mixture with a fork or ...

Last year for christmas I made caramel apples - I know, I know its for Halloween treats, but I had just experimented making them a few days before the holidays and liked them so much I thought I'd share the sweetness with everyone. During ordinary days when I crave for some sweet, tart treats I make caramel apples but slice them up and pop them in the fridge to cool - ready for snacking after I finished my chores. Caramel Apples Slices ingredients : - 2 green apples - lemon juice - 2 to 3 tbsp milk - 6 to 8 caramels - chopped nuts - chocolate morsels how to: - slice the apples and toss in lemon juice to prevent discoloration and arrange in a serving plate, set aside - melt the milk and caramel in a bowl on top of a double boiler, add more milk or caramel depending on the consistency you want - drizzle on top of sliced apples, top with chopped nuts and chocolate morsels. Chill until ready to serve  tart, sweet, crunchy and cho...

Everytime I pass by Cinnabon at the mall, the sweet smell of freshly made rolls together with the aroma of coffee never fails to make me stop, take a table and have me some soft, sweet, gooey pecanbon or chocobon with a cup of hot camomile tea. Imagine sipping hot tea in between bites of sweet roll, what a relaxing way to have your sweet tooth satisfied, like hitting two birds with one stone. Normally I'd get out my book purchases and start flipping pages while savoring every bite and sip, other times I loose myself and get enamored by the baker making the rolls behind a glass window. It is not often that I chance upon this cinnamon rolls making demonstration and I kind of hope that there is someone behind the glass window everytime I stop by. I guess I am wishing to get some tips for making the perfect cinnamon rolls by watching. I have honestly tried making cinnamon rolls and though they turned out okay - they are a far cry from the original. I ...

It might be because I only cook for two people that I always have some ingredients left over. Half a tin of red kidney beans from making tacos, half a head of broccoli from a stir fry, a quarter of a box of coconut powder from making curry... everytime I try to make something it is almost always guaranteed that a quarter or half of this and that will be left over and the most recent is half a can of sweet condensed milk that was left over from when I made chocolate sauce. I stored it in a small bottle and tried to think of a way to use it up. I first though of using it for a sweet cheese muffin but that recipe only called for a few tablespoons so nope - not that recipe - I wanted to use every single drop of this sweet milk. Then while reading an article about the difference between a creme caramel and creme brulee I decided to make leche flan or creme caramel. Creme Caramel (for one) ingredients : - half a can of sweet condensed milk - 2 eggyolks - 1/2 cup sug...

It is typical of chinese restaurants to serve "buchi" for dessert - that round sesame seed covered fried balls of glutinous rice flour with red bean paste filling. It is my of my favorite chinese treat and I finally was able to experiment making it a few days ago using 'ube' or purple yam paste for the filling. Purple Yam Fried Mochi ingredients: - glutinous rice flour - warm water - sesame seeds - bottled or homemade sweet purple yam - oil for frying how to: - combine warm water and glutionous flour until you have a 'dough' - form into pingpong sized balls. form the purple yam into smaller balls as well - slightly flaten the rice flour balls and wrap around the yam balls and seal the seams - roll in sesame seeds and deep fry until golden I could not give you exact measurements for the recipe because I just sort of eyeballed everything. The fun is in the experiment so enjoy the process!!

I had just purchased a half gallon tub of ice cream and wanted to dress it up by making waffle cups. I knew it is made of the same batter as pancakes but without a waffle cone or cup maker I have a general idea on how I can make it into a basket shape and make it crispy. So I started by making pancake batter (again feeling lazy I used boxed mix) and thinned it bit with a little more milk. I cooked them as you would a pancake but since it was a thin batter you have to be careful in flipping it as it is more delicate.  When it has cooked I arranged them on an inverted slightly greased muffin pan then I bake them at 100 degrees until they were crispy - I did not want to bake them at higher temperature for fear of burning them so I baked at a lower temperature for longer time. dessert time!!!!

Egg crates have always struck me as a good chocolate mould. Whenever I go and get those 6pcs box I always think that I should keep it but never did until yesterday. My friend had invited me to go have lunch with her as my post birthday treat (first week into march - I had my birthday two weeks ago - and am still getting birthday treats! ain't it great!?). I wanted to give her something as a treat too and finally made caramel filled chocolate jewels using plastic egg crates - I washed them real good first of course! I can't give the exact recipe for these as I just eyeballed it. But all you need is chocolate melted with a bit of shortening and whatever filling you want, the caramel I melted on a double boiler with gradual additions of milk until I achieved the desired consistency.  pour the melted chocolate into the mold and spread up to the sides keep in the fridge for a few minutes to set  melt the caramel as well  then pour the caramel into the center  comp...