Melbourne, I'm missing you!

I am now thinking of my niece in Melbourne, who had just given birth 2 days ago. It was a long wait for junior, and a challenging one for her and hubby. I am so happy for them.

As we were stranded at Perth during the June holidays, our Melbourne trip was cut short to 4 days. I didn't get to go Great Ocean, Ballarat, shopping in Melbourne town and everything else was cut short. That should call for another trip to Melbourne soon!

South Yarra shopping, just before we had dinner at a relative's house at Nottinghill.

Business people on the streets of Melbourne.

Near our apartment at Collins Street. Our first morning in Melbourne, going to Queen's Market.
Simple and cute cupcake shop.

Puffing Billy

Okay, this post was a few months outdated. But I really enjoyed it so much and missing it now, that I browsed my album, and just wanted to share it here.

This is the most fun train ride, Puffing Billy at Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne.

You can hang and dangle your feet, enjoy the cool breeze and the magnificent views of the ranges.

There are a few stops. I took the train from Belgrave Station, stopped at Lakeside. There's nothing much at Lakeside, just a cafe, a river and a park. It was freezing cold, so I didn't take any photos there. Was sipping coffee at the Cafe while waiting for the next train back to Belgrave, the next hour.

How I wish to retire here! These old folks were having coffee when the train journey started, and they were still there when we were back! How relaxing!

If you are visiting Melbourne, don't give this Puffing ride a miss!

Cake Decorating Hands-on Workshop

This is my new mailer design! How do you like it? This November, I'll be having this class.

Mostly are fully booked, only 27Nov has a few seats left. My apology for my late posting. But if you are keen to attend, do email me at katsncakes@gmail.com and I will update you the new dates for next year.

I won't be having classes in December, as I will be away and busy with work too. So looking forward to next year for more interesting baking workshops!

CAKE DECORATING - WEDDING CAKES & CUPCAKES FEES: $200 Max 8 participants TIME: 12.30pm - 6.30pm DATES: (Sundays in November) 27 NOV - 1 Seat Avail, 1 Seat waiting list 20 NOV - FULL 13 NOV - FULL You will Hands-on: • Cover 2 tier cake with fondant/sugarpaste • Decorating with sugarpaste - drapes, frills, flounces, cut out flowers & decorative techniques with fondant tools • Decorate Cupcakes with buttercream & fondant. Various piping techniques taught. Demo: • homemade sugarpaste recipe • royal icing recipe • swiss buttercream recipe • decorating techniques with sugarpaste • piping techniques with buttercream/royal icing

Wedding at Rebung

1st of October, I was at Rebung Restaurant of Chef Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. My niece who's from Sydney had her reception there, and I did a lovely white and silver 3 tier cake for her and hubby, Amar.

The lovely couple.
The cake was baked in Singapore, layered and brought to KL. I did the cake covering and decorating at my cousin's house in KL. The top and bottom layers are Double Chocolate Chip cake with dark ganache. The middle tier is Orange Zesty cake, which my sis said was the best.

The cake was cut and served to all guest.
The wedding favors, made by the bride's sister.
Its almond tuiles in small cute bottles.

I see Red!

The craze of the town - Red Velvet Cake. Not many Singapore's bakeries selling this yet. One that I tried was at Pique-nique, Takashimaya. Theirs was a lighter texture and vibrant red in color. I love the cream cheese topping.

Did this recipe, adapted from a UK and American recipe book.

I felt that it needs to be perfected, though my colleagues who had tried the Pique-nique version last week, courtesy from me, said that its very much close.

Went against my principle of adding too much coloring, it was 4 teaspoons of red paste!

Oh heck!

I overdid the cream cheese topping by adding lemon juice. On my second try, I would make the texture finer and spongier.

For those who would like to try baking RVC, I would say its easy and the recipes available on the internet are just as close. Go bake some RVC and see red!

BROWNIES & CHEESECAKE BROWNIES

Saturday, 22 October, 2.30pm - 5.30pm, $50 per person

Learn ultra chocolatey, fudgy or softer cake-like brownies.

Molten Cakes (soft warm flowy chocolate centres)

Cheesecake Brownies (tips on using the correct chocolate for different recipes)

Cupcake Brownies (a different texture brownie perfect for any occasion)

Using quality Valrhona chocolate, and easy baking techniques.

Email: katsncakes@gmail.com

Cake Decoration Class

A hands-on Class -

covering 2 tier cake, decorating cupcakes, decorating with fondant (frills, flounces & special cutters), various decorative piping techniques with royal icing and buttercream.

DATES: 23 OCT - 2 Seats AVAIL 27 NOV - FULL 20 NOV - 2 Seats AVAIL

A smaller & more personalised class with lots of decorating ideas. msg me for more details. $200 (include 2 tier & cupcakes to bring home) Minimum of 4 participants, Max 8. Email katsncakes@gmail.com to register

Loft in the Mill

During our recent trip to Melbourne, we stayed at Loft in the Mill. Lovely, country blend cottages in freezing Mount Dandenong Ranges. It was 6º when we arrived.

It would have been lovely to sit in the little garden outside the cottage, have a cup of tea, if not for the cold weather.
The beautiful sight of the cottages.

Rustic kitchenette.
Cozy cuddly night at the Loft, with Laura Ashley fleece blanket.
Outside the cottage. Simply love the rustic exterior.

Salam Ramadhan

Dear Friends,

I would like to wish all my Muslim friends, Selamat Berpuasa. I apologise for not updating lately. I've had a good short holiday to Australia in June and has been very busy with work and baking since then. I'm taking a break these 2 weeks, before the oven will be heating again for the Raya orders. Will post some interesting pics on my holiday, and in the meantime, wishing you have a blessed Ramadhan.

Salwah

May Baking Classes

Prepare early for this year Hari Raya! You can get your orders rolling, by taking orders for these two favourite recipes.

Swiss Rolls - Saturday, 14 May 2011.

All the swiss rolls loved by young and old. Learn the important techniques and tips to make fluffy rolls with delicious cream filling. The Domino Roll is always a favourite order from my customers. Not only it looks pretty, it's delicious too with chocolatey chocolate cream.

Cookies & Treats - Saturday, 21 May 2011, 2.30pm

This popular class makes its comeback this month. The recipe pack boasts quality ingredients

and will serve as a new treat for the festive season. They are great for tea sessions too, or as gifts.

View my October 2010 post for more photos.

To register, email me katsncakes@gmail.com. Class venue is at Hougang.

A 2-in-1 masterpiece

Lapis Sarawak in Fondant for Hantaran

Love the way this cake turned out. Probably I should have used a different color for the fondant. But then again, I think the peachy colour did not interfere much with the Lapis Sarawak design, which was what I have in mind initially. I had wanted to keep it simple, so that the colorful centre design come through.

This can be achieved after you have mastered the Sugarpaste and Lapis Sarawak techniques.

I will be teaching these 2 classes on 23rd April and 30 April. Check my previous post on class schedules and make your registration soon.

April Baking Class

Wedding Cakes & Cupcake Tiers - 23 April 2011

For registration, email to katsncakes@gmail.com. Class venue is at Hougang

Lapis Sarawak - 30 April 2011

For registration, email to katsncakes@gmail.com. Class venue is at Hougang

Taman Safari Prigen

In December, we went to Surabaya, and make time to visit Taman Safari in Pasuruan. It's about one and a half hours drive from Surabaya. The views are magnificent and so natural, not the 'zoo-like' that I've imagined.

The little stream we had to pass through to see hippos, who are actually bathing in the water. Lovely scene!I love the way the settings are made so natural for the animals.
Even the fierce one is enjoying itself!
There are many sections to the Safari, this is the Asian African animals area.
Lovely spread of acres and trees.

The forestry is so cooling, definitely experienced in the city.

Tartlets Saturday 12 Feb $45

For registration, email to katsncakes@gmail.comFor more photos, check my previous blog posts 'Petit Sucre'

Cupcake & Decorating 22nd Jan @2.30pm, Hougang, $50

To register, email to katsncakes@gmail.com

Only a few seats left.

For