2014 Christmas Cupcakes

Hi Everyone

Here is my last post for 2014. I am currently 7 months pregnant with my second baby. Time to put up my feet and enjoy the upcoming festive season.

How about we kick start with some pretty Mud Cake Cupcakes to get you through the Christmas Parties? Here are my cupcakes for this year that are covered with the sky blue colored fondant and decorated with the white snowflakes.

I just wanted to wish you all a happy Christmas and good health and happiness for 2015. Thank you for your support in 2014. I’ll be back in the end of March after the arrival of the second baby.

Happy baking

Beth xx

Little Mermaid Dessert Table

Hi Everyone

Long time no blog about my latest dessert table. The reason is that I am expecting Baby No.2 and I am finally feeling better and free to write about it.

This Little Mermaid birthday party was another girl's theme I organised for my beloved niece Sophie's 6th birthday. Her mum came to look after Jeremy and I when I was in very early stage of my pregnancy back in June. I was looking for some inspirations through Pinterest and this was what I came up with.

I chose a very girly colour palette in shades of pastel pink and lavender purple to match the doll's cake. As I said, it's very early stage of my pregnancy (two weeks waiting period after the IVF transfer); I kept the dessert table very simple.

Highlight:

1. Little Mermaid Doll Cake (Golden Vanilla with White Belgium Chocolate Ganache)

2. Starfish and Little Mermaid Cookies (Vanilla Sugar Cookies)

3. Pearl Necklace (Gumballs and Ribbons)

4. Little Mermaid Rings (In a crystal bow filled with digestive cookies that look like sand)

5. Mini chocolate balls with rock candy

That was that! We had a good time celebrating with our beloved Sophie again after 5 years living apart. Happy 6th birthday to Sophie!!

Happy caking

Beth xx

LV Wallet & Gift Box Cake

Hi Everyone

Last week, I got the pleasure of making a Louis Vuitton Damier Wallet Cake.

The cake was for my big valentine's birthday and was a replica of his present I bought to surprise him. The flavour was the new American Mud Cake recipe with bittersweet chocolate ganache; then covered with the delicious Bakels chocolate fondant.

I am confident to say it tastes as good as it look. The fondant was not too sweet but delicious enough to make you want more.

Thank you for stopping by to see my new creation.
Happy baking
Beth xx

Motorbike Cake

Hi Everyone

Here is my Motorbike Cake I made with Verusca Walker on Saturday class at Bake Boss in Brisbane, still a lot to make it perfect but I had to rush and leave early to pick Jeremy up and off to Paul's Reward Night the same day.

All my fellow girls were helpful and great to work with. Versuca had great patience and great knowledge of cake decorating. The atmosphere was relaxing. The pace of the class was great in a way that was earily understandable. It was lovely to learn with someone who genuinely wanted to encourage the participants to go further and even the beginners liked me feel like I have beat the odds.

I will definitely be back for another course or more in the future!

I have so many projects coming soon and I can not wait to share with you.
Happy baking
Beth xx

Homemade Pancakes

Hi Everyone

These are my spongy and puffy homemade pancakes. I normally love to eat with warm maple syrup and Paul loves some crispy fried bacon. You can tell today I have the version for Jeremy.

Mum, Sister and Nieces are coming back to Australia next month, this is the treat I want to share with them for sure.

Today is ANZAC DAY in Australia. “We feel proud, for those who gave their life, we salute them off once again. Happy Anzac Day Day.”

Happy baking
Beth xx

Waffle Sticks

Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter break. bakingmama has a new treat to include on our dessert table in the future. Early this year, I saw a dessert table with the waffle sticks well presented with the rest of the desserts and sweets. I really love this stylish treat. Besides, it's just a perfect size for Jeremy to hold unto and eat on his own without a mess. I then off to get a "Waffle Stick Maker".

I have to say another good investment in my kitchen, it's a fun and practical appliances for those who love waffles.

I used my own waffle batter with no additives and all used ingredients were as usual organics. Waffles came out great - very nice texture, taste and colour. They are crispy outside and chewy and soft inside. Best of all, it's not unhealthy or overly sweet waffle mix you can get from the super market.

Our waffle sticks can be served/dipped in a glass of syrup or dip them partially in melted chocolate fondue - that makes it a hit with kids and a really nice presentation. We adults can enjoy this too!

Sticks as I mentioned before, a great portion control, sharing with small kids or taste testing when there are numerous.

At the moment, we have vanilla and chocolate waffle sticks. I can not wait to make them for my next party.

Happy baking,
Beth xx

Jeremy's Banana Cake

Hi Everyone

Can you feel the chill when you wake up in the morning? I can feel the winter is fast approaching. Every month, I will order some organic fruits and vegetables directly from the farm.

This month, I have too many bananas sitting on my kitchen counter. I usually give one a day to Jeremy after dinner. In the meantime, when I go out with my girlfriends or taking Jeremy out to his play dates, I always order a piece of banana bread to go with my tea and share with Jeremy. However, I found the Cafe Banana Bread is sweet and oily although it's soft in texture.

Then, I found a slice of banana cake from my local bakery, which is less oily and firmer in texture as well as pleasant to eat. Hence, I decided straightaway to make a more suitable version for Jeremy to snack on during the day.

If you are looking for a lighter and healthier version of banana cake for your little ones, this is the one for you. It's moist yet spongy like a steamed bread rather than a cake. It has no oil or butter and the sweetness mainly direct from the banana. If you are a very sweet tooth type, I do not recommend this. However, both my valentines like it very much.

I will try another version; and finger crossed it will be similar to the one the local baker makes. I will let you know how I go with the recipe.

Thank you for stopping by!
Happy baking
Beth xx

Gum Ball Necklaces

Hi Everyone

I am very excited to introduce you this new party sweet. bakingmama has these adorable gum ball necklaces, the perfect accessory for any birthday girls! This necklace is the perfect size for your little princess.

Available Colors:
- Bright Pink as shown in the picture
- Light Blue
- Light Green
- White
- Mixed Colors of the above

We all know that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but how about affordable gum balls this year? A new take on the candy necklace, this beautiful craft is sure to get you some hugs and kisses. You can give these to the sweet girls in your life or hand them out at the parties.

Note: small parts make this unsuitable for very young children.

Hope to create more sweets for you.
What a sweet life…
Beth xx

Easter Cupcakes

Hi Everyone

We are having a quiet month at the bakingmama's headquarter but we are certainly ready to enjoy the Easter break.

What a flavor combination--hearty Carrot Cupcakes with a thick coat of our rich Cream Cheese Icing and topped with extra pecans. The iced cupcakes are delicious snacks or desserts for our beloved friends. Unfrosted, these carrot-filled cupcakes are perfect for breakfast on the run or a lunch-box treat for my little family.

The carrots add wonderful moistness to these cupcakes; of course the carrots are organic.

Here is our wish for you over the break:
My your Easter bring fun, happiness, God endless blessings and bring fresh love...
Happy Easter to you with all best wishes!

Thank you for stopping by!
Happy baking,
Beth xx

Zoe & Co. Birthday Party

Hi Everyone

Here is another themed cake and dessert table made with love for my dearest friend's daughter - Zoe (Mum Claire is the Owner of the Mantou Kitchen).

We are still excited about the Pink Zoe & Co. Candy and Dessert Buffet I created for Baby Zoe held at our local community park. Everyone praised how Claire and I did a fabulous job with this event. We tried to cover as much as possible to make this celebration memorable, from a beautiful surrounding to the beautiful cupcakes, cake pops, macaroons, candies and desserts…everything was absolutely perfect!!

I had so much fun with it, but was totally surprised at how much planning and preparation it took. From top to bottom here's all the pink Zoe & Co.

The cake is composed of moist vanilla butter cake with chocolate ganache in between. A sweet cake for the sweetest baby girl I know (heart).

Highlight:
- an open lid jewellery box birthday cake with handmade edible ring, key necklace, earrings, brooch, bracelet.
- Little Zoe & Co. pink box cake pops and inspired cake pops.
- Zoe & Co. Onsie vanilla sugar cookies (inspired by the invitation).
- Zoe & Co. jewellery vanilla cupcakes with strawberry buttercream presented with three styles jewels i.e. bracelet, ring and box.
- Vanilla macaroons sandwiched with salted caramel filling and chocolate ganache.
- Lots of twisted marshmallow, pink gum balls and sweets in our beautiful jars.

We loved everything about this first birthday party! It's a dream come true for a romantic girl inside me (since I had Jeremy it's all BLUEY).

Vendor Credits & Resources:
Party Design, Hire & Favours: Our Sweet Events
Cakes, Cupcakes & Confections: bakingmama
Drink & Food: Mantou Kitchen
Setup: Friends

For more party planning and flashbacks of the day, I will post later on the other blogs 巧比工作坊 and 巧比生活館.

Thank you for stopping by.
Happy baking
Beth xx

Blueberry Cheesecake

Hi Everyone

Here is our family Blueberry Cheesecake for next week. Claire of Mantou Kitchen has given me some yummy fresh organic blueberry. As soon as I got it, this dessert came into my mind.

For all of the friends who are organising the gathering, this is the perfect cheesecake to bring along. A thin layer of our famous Oreo crust base with a burst of blueberry swirled into our rich creamy cheesecake filling. Come to visit us soon before it's gone soon.

Have a nice weekend. I know we do at the bakingmama's home with this treat.
Happy baking
Beth xx

Pumpkin Chiffon Cake

Hi Everyone

Here is our family "Pumpkin Chiffon Cake" to welcome the cooler autumn months. Since Jeremy does not eat the organic pumpkin puree anymore, I used it to make this cake as a dessert after dinner.

I have been using this recipe for a few years now. I think that I need to cut down the pumpkin spice a bit further more to suit my family's taste of the cinnamon. However, the aroma is fabulous and it's very moist and soft.

Here is my homemade pumpkin spice mix to share with you. I do not think we have the ready to use one in Australia just yet. Combine 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Store in an airtight container.

Sorry about the appearance of the cake. While cooling on the cooling rack, the skin for that beautiful cake top were peeled off after I removed the baking sheet (I always forget not to do this step - time to put in the note hey).

See, even Jeremy came over to have a bite during the photo shoot. Dat's my boy!

Thank you for stopping by. I can not wait to show you the next dessert table I am working on.
Happy baking
Beth xx