Looks familiar?

I'm sure those who had attended the wilton courses will be familiar with this cake design. This is usually the cake design to create by the 2nd class, during course 1 of wilton cake decorating class.

For those who are my regular blog readers, you may be puzzled why I took up this class at this time when I had started my cake decorating journey years ago.... well, I guess after frumbing in the dark for so long, it's time to have some formal education! LOLz... I remembered when I 1st started cake decorating, I did not even refer to any internet sites, eg. youtube or any baking sites, for any help. Most that I had done was by trial and error and I was glad that it still managed to "pass the test" for my family. I realised that there maybe some special techniques, tips or recipes that were revealed only when you signed up for the class, so when E asked me if I was interested for the wilton courses, I said yes immediately... well, almost immediately.

E had done a write-up on the 1st lesson of course 1, while this cake was done during the 2nd lesson of the same course.

I'm glad to have attended this course as I did pick up some tips and techniques for piping. And me being the only leftie in the class, my set of instructions varied slightly from the rest.

Techniques aside, I was quite surprised that alot of stuff are not inlcuded in the course. I was given the straight spatula, instead of the angled one (which will definately be a better choice to be included in the startup kit). They included the small brush for washing tips, which was a very considerate gesture, making washing the tips a much easier. Besides the tools, we had to prepare cakes and buttercream for the class, which I find a chore as I had to find time to get all these ready after work. And the amount of buttercream needed was terrifying to me!

Also I had some issues with the instructor. She was not organised and professional enough. Many a times I wondered if I had signed up with another school, will I be able to learn more? Or is it that my expectations were too high? All these remained to be answered.

At the meantime, I'll try to enjoy the classes. There's only 2 more lessons to go. I'll make sure that I make sure of every minute spend there and learn everything that I should. One thing is for sure tho... practise makes perfect!

Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Cake and muffins

I actually marked the wrong date on my calendar when C communicated the order to me last month. Only when C smsed me y'day afternoon asking when she can collect the bakes from me that I realised that I remembered the date wrongly!

Thank goodness I can get the cake ready. It's for C's wedding anniversary and birthday, I definately will not wantt o disappoint her.

C, I wish you a Happy wedding anniversary and Happy Birthday!

Besides the cake, she also ordered some muffins from me. I decided to use blueberries and peaches for it. Yums!

Cut-out cookies - wedding and others...

The bride and groom cookies are made specially for Mr and Mrs C! I wish them a Happy Marriage!

Tried out some other cutters that I have. I bought these cutters a long time ago and only now did I take them out to try...After trying out the cookie cutters, I made some mango jelly. Not happy with these even tho' I followed the instructions on the packaging, the jelly turned out way too soft. I also added some nata-de-coco to it.

Strawberry Shortcake

A moist, fluffy cake with the fragrance of strawberry and splash of kirsh added to the cream makes it oh so irresistable!

Cutout Cookies - 12 dresses

Pardon the poor photography.

Rum Balls

Last Saturday was my 10th Wedding Anniversary... My initial plan was to make a double-tier cake, for the fun of it. But as the day neared, I came down with a flu. So I scrapped that plan but still wanted to make some treats to commemorate the day, and finally settled on making some rum balls instead.

Rum balls had been on my to-do list for some time, just because of the cake "scraps" that had been accumulating in my freezer! I'm glad that I finally did these yummy little treats.

2nd round of agar agar moonies

After trying the agar agar moonies I did earlier, my mom said she loved it. So I kinda promised her I'll make her another set of moonies.

Was trying to think of new flavours for the outer skin and finally settled on Ribena and Osmanthus tea. Quite refreshing and happy with the colours. :)

The leftover fillings I added pandan paste to it and managed to get 2 mini ones.

Agar agar moonies

Finally I made these mooncakes . It's quite a long process (tho' not tedious) to make these as you need time to set the agar agar part by part. 1st you start with the egg yolk portion. I let it sit in the fridge for 2 nites as I can't find the mojo to continue with it. But being a weekends today, and I was idling at home, there was absolutely no excuses not to complete the whole process.

I bought the egg yolk jelly mold 2 years back, and never got to actually use it coz I was too lazy. It was still in its original shrink-wrap when I took it out 3 days ago! LOLz.

Thanks to Elyn for trying out the recipe, modifying it and finally posting it online. She mentioned that the final mooncakes were rather soft, so I upped the agar agar portion just a tiny little bit. Still, I found that maybe more can be added to achieve that crunchiness I love in agar agar.

Besides the pandan flavour, I made them in yam flavour too.The mini white ones were left over agar agar cutout from the white "fillings" and I added an egg yolk in each of them too.