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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Mango Mousse Cake (Re-Post with Recipe)


















Definitely a cake for mango lovers. I made this for my dad's doctor, who is allergic to chocolate. Strange as it seems, but this was the cake that movitated me to make macarons. Mainly because I know I cannot use chocolate transfers to conceal the flaws. I used a cake ring this time round and had a hard time removing it. I was too afraid to damage the 4 corners. The cake could have ended up an Octogon if things didn't work out. Fortunately, it did.


















The thing about making a mousse cake is patience. You have wait for the mousse to set before laying the next cake layer. Then after that you have to chill the cake for at least 3 hours before you can safely remove the ring. I used Florence's recipe for the mango mousse but my own sponge cake recipe for the cake base.

Glad the cake turned out well and professional-like. If not I would be too shy to give it away. It is comforting to know that doc and his staff enjoyed the cake while I, as always, enjoyed the process, no matter how frustrating it might be. I know, I'm weird and have a penchant to make my life more complicated than it already is.

Mango Mousse Cake

Sponge Cake Base :
(A)
2 Egg Whites
40g Fine Sugar
1/4 Tsp cream of tartar

(B)
2 Egg Yolks
30g Fine Sugar
1/2 Tsp Vanilla Essence
50g Milk
24g Corn Oil

68g cake flour
1/4 Tsp bicarbonate of soda

*Sift together

Method
1) Prepare and line a 7 x 7 inch baking tin. In a clean bowl, whisk egg white and sugar. Add cream of tartar and whisk till peak.

2) In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar till pale and fluffy.

3) Add vanilla essence, milk and corn oil to egg yolk mixture then fold in sifted flour mixture.

4) Fold in egg yolk mixture into egg white mixture.

5) Bake at 150°C for around 30 to 35 minutes or till skewer comes clean. Let the cake cool and slice horizontally 2 slices and trim them into 6.5 x 6.5 inch square.

Mango Mousse :
17g Gelatine Powder
60g Hot Water

350g Whipping Cream
3 Tbsp Icing Sugar

300g Mango Puree (if regrigerated, bring to room temperature)
1Tbsp Rum

200g to 220g Cubed Mango


Mango puree topping:
150g mango puree (bring to room temperature)
1 Tbsp gelatin
4-1/2 Tbsp boiling water

Slice/Cubed fruits *optional

Method
1) In a mixing bowl, whip whipping cream with icing sugar to mousse state. Refrigerate to chill.

2) In a small bowl, dissolve gelatine powder in hot water. When the gelatine powder is fully dissolved, add to mango puree. Add rum to the mixture. Mix well.

3) Add the mango mixture to whipped cream. Mix well till incorporated.

4) Use a 7 x 7 inch cake ring, place a layer of cake and pour in mango mousse, or use a large piping tip to pipe the mixture. Do take note of the corners. Add mango cubes and cover them with some mousse. Let it slighlty set for about 10 minutes in the fridge.

5) Lay another cake layer and pour the remaining mousse. Let it set for 30 to 45 minutes in the fridge.

6) Meanwhile,dissolve gelatine in hot water for mango puree topping. Mix in mango puree. Wait till the mousse is set and the topping is cooled, arrange sliced fruits, if using, pour in the topping carefully. Let the cake chill for at least 3 hours before removing the cake ring and decorate with macaroons (optional, recipe found here and here) or chocolate shards.

*Note : If you pour a little of the mango puree topping on the fruits, you do not have to glaze them again.

I re-post this entry for those who have requested for the recipe. Thank you for your patience.

Happy Baking!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ultraman























I used to watch Ultraman series but again, I lost touch. I didn't know that Ultraman had spawned a couple of other Ultramans. So imagine my shock when I discovered Ultra Mother.








Must be tough saving the world all alone. I know too well. I bake, decorate and wash up in the wee hours in the morning. The kitchen area which I designated for cakes only looked like a bomb hit it when I am done. Fortunately for me and unfortunately for my helper, I usually escape out of the house in the morning.

Little Ethan loves Ultraman Meibus. When his mummy mentioned 'Ultraman', I thought, 'easy'. I was thinking about those cutesy, egg-head cartoons which I fondly known as 咸蛋超人.








So when his mummy said he wanted it to be the real Meibus, I think my jaw dropped for a couple seconds.
























This cake was easily one of my worst nightmares. I did the design 3 times. I scrapped the cream and re-did and re-did till I think I got it right. By that time, I was near to tears already. I wanted to pull my hair out with my gloved hands, sprawl on the floor and cry. But I cannot do that in front of my kids, of course. My friends said I was just being anal and a perfectionist. Maybe, but I know well enough to not disappoint or upset an Ultraman fan. He might decide to zap me with his super-humanoid-power. And Ethan, thank you for not adding an alien into the picture. I probably would have died there. Glad you and your friends enjoyed the cake. Your liking it, made my 'sufferings' insignificant. Despite all, I'm glad that I attempted it.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Mr. Men & Little Miss


















Remember them? Recently, I have been seeing them alot in the advertisement and on T-shirts. Is the fad back or it didn't even fade. I don't know, I am out of touch. Only after I had kids did I revisit all those familiar cartoon/book characters I once knew so well during my childhood. Taking in orders does has its advantages, though it meant less sleep; it gives me the opportunity to attempt stuffs that I don't usually do. I do enjoy challenges. Even more, when customers came back with positive feedback, telling me that the cake brought smiles to their kids.



















This is my first attempt doing figurines with gumpaste. More than I would like to admit, it does get addictive. Espcially making those minute details. I particularly liked the teapot and candle. The characters were chosen by the birthday girl, I think. I thought it would be a wee bit odd if I were to put the characters on the cake without a theme. Thus I organised a picnic for them.



















Little Miss Sunshine having a cookie.




















Mr. Bump probably complaining of his recent bump. Mr. Tickle grabbing a donut.



















Mr. Impossible looking pleased. Little Miss Chatterbox seemed to like the spread.

I had fun working on this cake. Ah Girl couldn't resist this either. She has already made plans for her next next birthday.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

ATM Media Mention

I was nicknamed 'ATM' by Katherine from Chocolate Medley. I didn't realised the title of my blog could be abbreviated so when I chose it. Hopefully, I am my own 'ATM', not others. Ahah. I was approached by a Malaysian magazine a couple of months back. They asked for permission to use one of my blogposts for publishing. So here it is, only thing is; it was published in March. I am far behind my posts, this shows definitely.


















My post was published along with some other food bloggers. It kinda feel strange to see my stuffs in prints.



















The publishers were so kind to send me some copies of the magazine although I told them I reside in Singapore. They actually couriered them out. Heartfelt thanks.



















Recently, I received some nasty comments and emails. I do not understand their hate but to curse my kids are way off limits and uncalled for. Leave my family out of this. I mostly keep to myself and do not think I have offended or attacked anyone online. I don't think I am cocky in any ways. Apart from being busy and reply comments late, I think I am in line with blogger's etiquette. I hope the hostility will stop and please, whoever you are, channel your energy to do something useful. I do not know you and because of that, your words can't hurt me. Go bake or cook something, it will help make you feel better.