S'mores Cupcakes | Recipe

INGREDIENTS
1 egg,
120ml buttermilk,
60ml vegetable oil,
1 tsp of vanilla extract,

1/2 tbsp instant coffee,
120ml of hot water,

290g of all-purpose flour,
35g of cocoa powder,
130g of sugar,
1 tsp of baking soda,
1/2 tsp of baking powder,

METHOD
*Preheat oven to 180C
1. Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Dissolve the coffee in the hot water. Add to the liquid ingredients.
3. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Beat briefly on a low speed until just combined.
4. Scoop the batter into a lined cupcake pan using an ice cream scoop or just a tablespoon measure.
5. Bake cupcakes for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
6. Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

ICING: 2 egg whites + 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract (+ optional graham cracker to garnish)

1. Fill a saucepan half way full with water. Simmer on a low to medium heat.

2. Place another pan on top of this saucepan. Add the egg whites and sugar and then whisk immediately.

3. Continue whisking until the sugar is dissolved (i.e no 'gritty' noises made when whisked).

4. Transfer egg whites into a large bowl and whisk until stiff peaks are formed. Fold in the vanilla extract.

5. Transfer to a large piping bag and snip the end off so as to produce a circular, smooth look when piped.

6. Pipe on the cupcakes from the center and swirl out. Decorate with a small graham cracker.

7. Using a flaming device (e.g. kitchen-grade blowtorch), lightly flame the meringue to achieve the golden brown, toasted marshmallow effect. Enjoy!

Fruit and Cream Birthday Cake | Recipe

Have a friend/family member's birthday coming up and trying to look for that perfect birthday cake? Look no further- this cake is sure to impress! It consists of two light sponge cake surrounding a layer of fresh fruits and cream. On top of the cake, I've decided to decorate with half of a fresh mango, strawberries and a really cool sugar decoration, but feel free to use your favorite fruits that are in season. Not only is this cake impressive and elegant, it's also soooo delicious!

Birthday Cream Cake Recipe                                                                            Recipe by iSaamuel
INGREDIENTS;
Cake
4 egg yolks,
55g of bread flour (sifted),
3 tablespoons of milk,
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract,
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or any other flavourless oil)

4 egg whites,
50g of sugar

Sugar decoration
100g of sugar,
2 tablespoons of water

Cream
450ml of heavy whipping cream,
3 tablespoons of powdered sugar (more or less according to taste)

METHOD;
Cake
1. Mix together the egg yolks, milk, vanilla extract and oil together with a whisk until well homogenised.
2. Sift in the bread flour and whisk for about 2-3 minutes or until gluten strands form and the mixture becomes thick. Set aside.
3. In another large, clean bowl, add in the egg whites and start whipping it until frothy.
4. Once frothy, gradually add in the sugar and whisk until soft, glossy peaks are formed.
To test if they're ready, tilt the bowl with the egg whites and see if they move around. If not, they're done- they should be nice and firm.
5. Fold the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Start off with a 1/3 of the egg whites and whisk this in to lighten up the egg yolks.
6. Add the rest of the egg whites in, but this time, folding gently so as not to deflate the air bubbles we worked so hard for (while whipping).
7. Once the batter is well mixed and that there are no more streaks of egg whites, pour this mixture into two 7-8 inch lined baking cake tins.
8. Bake at 180c for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of both cakes come out clean.
Let the cake cool before decorating.

Sugar decoration
1. Heat the sugar and water on medium low heat until it becomes light amber in colour.
2. Take it off the heat immediately once it reaches this stage and set up a bowl with two knives on top. (See video)
3. Using a fork, dip it into the caramel and drizzle on top of the knives rapidly from left to right to form thin sugar strands.
4. Once you have made enough, gather the strands and form a sugar ball. (See video)

Cream
1. Whip the cream with the sugar until soft peaks form.
Use this cream to decorate the cake.

DECORATING
1. Place the cake on a cake turntable lined with 4 pieces of parchment paper on either side of the cake. (We remove these pieces of parchment paper at the end for a clean finish.)
2. Spread cream and add fruits on top before covering with the 2nd layer.
3. Cover the whole cake evenly with cream. Smooth with a palette knife, pipe and decorate as you wish.

For a decoration idea, watch the video.
Enjoy!

Classic Italian Tiramisu Cake | Recipe

Layers of softly whipped mascarpone cream sits delightfully on top of layers of coffee-scented lady fingers that softens into a sponge/ cake-like layer. This classic 'pick me up' dessert is surely going to impress even the fussiest dessert-eater!

Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe                                                                            Recipe by iSaamuel
INGREDIENTS;
250g of Mascarpone Cheese,
200ml of Whipping Cream,
3 Egg Whites,
3 Egg Yolks,

1 Tablespoon of Sugar,
2 Tablespoons of Instant Coffee,
1/2 cup of hot, boiled Water,
A shot of Rum, Amaretto or Marsala liquer ;) (optional),

200g of Italian savoiardi Lady Fingers,
Cocoa Powder.

For the Coffee Syrup
1. In a shallow dish/plate, combine together the hot water, sugar and instant coffee.
2. Stir well until the both the sugar and the instant coffee are dissolved. Set aside and let to cool.

For the Mascarpone cream
1. Whisk together the softened mascarpone cheese and the whipping cream until soft peaks form.
2. Fill a pan 1/4 full with water and bring to a boil.
3. Place a heatproof bowl on top with the 3 egg whites in. Whisk constantly until warm to the touch. Remember the bowl should not be directly touching the hot water underneath.
4. Take the egg whites immediately away from the pan, and use an electric mixer to whisk until stiff peaks form.
5. Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone cream gently until well combined.
6. In the pan, place a bowl in the hot water and whisk/stir the egg yolks vigorously until, again, warm to the touch.
7. Pour the heated egg yolks and gently fold into the mascarpone cream and egg white mixture.

To assemble
1. Dip each lady finger in the coffee syrup for around 3 seconds, and then place in a springform cake pan or a baking dish, until you end up with one even layer.
 With each layer of lady fingers, layer them in the opposite direction as you did before in the previous layer.
 2. Place some of the mascarpone cream on top, and spread evenly for a thin layer. Dust this cream layer with cocoa powder.
3. Repeat this layering process until everything is used up/ you reach the top of your pan/dish.
4. Refrigerate this cake for at least 5 hours for the cream to set, before slicing and serving.

Enjoy!

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies | Recipe

These rich, chocolatey and fudgy brownies are perfect for your loved ones on Valentine's Day! These are so decadent and will get everyone talking about how you made these so easily, with a professional result- come and try these delicious treats!

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies Recipe                                                                          Recipe by iSaamuel

 INGREDIENTS;
- 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate or 1/2 Cup Milk and Dark,
- 2 tablespoons of Unsalted Butter,
- 1/4 cup of Sugar,
- 1 tablespoon of Cocoa Powder,
- 2 tablespoons of Flour,
- 2 Eggs

1. Whip eggs and sugar until pale, but not thick, but instead roughly doubled in size.
2. Melt the chocolate and butter, and whisk into the egg mixture.
3. Stir flour and cocoa powder until roughly combined- do not over-mix.
4. Pour into a lined rectangular baking brownie pan- sprinkle on Walnuts (optional) before baking.
5. Bake at 180C for 10-15 minutes until the edges are set but the center should be slightly 'gooey. '
6. Let the brownies cool, dust and garnish with powdered sugar!

Serve with your favorite ice cream and chocolate sauce for your loved one this Valentine's Day!

Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe

A soft, creamy cheesecake on top of crunchy, buttery Oreo and Digestive cookies, swirled with a decadent blueberry sauce.

Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe                                                                     Recipe by iSaamuel

INGREDIENTS;
100g of Oreo Cookies,
100g of Digestive Cookies,
4 Tablespoons of Butter- 2 for each cookie, melted
 
400g of Cream Cheese,
3 Egg Whites,
1/2 Cup of Sugar,
1 Tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract,
The seeds of 1 Vanilla Bean/ Pod,
2 Tbsps of Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Cup of Blueberries,
2 Tbsps of Sugar.

For the Blueberry Sauce
1. Blend together the fresh or frozen blueberries along with the sugar until a smooth sauce is formed. You're done!

For the Cheesecake crust
1. Crush Oreo cookies and Digestive biscuits with a rolling pin in two separate sealable food bags. Place the crumbs into two separate bowls and mix 2 tablespoons of Butter into each bowl until the mixture resembles wet sand.
2. Place the Oreo crumbs in a lined cake pan and divide into half, leaving space for the Digestive biscuits.
3. Place the Digestive crumbs into the other half of the cake pan.
4. Press firmly with the back of a spoon. Set this aside.

For the Cheesecake batter
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the Cream Cheese and Sugar until well combined, and fluffy.
2. Add vanilla extract and the seeds of 1 vanilla bean/pod. Whisk well.
3. Scrape the sides of the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Fold in the heavy whipping cream. Pour the batter on top of the cookie crust.
4. Place tablespoons of the Blueberry Sauce on the batter and swirl with a knife to create a pattern.
5. Bake at 190C until the edge of the cake is the set but the centre should still be slightly wobbly, to ensure the cheesecake isn't overbaked and won't crack.

Eat with family and friends and decorate with Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries. Enjoy!

Oreo Chocolate Cake Recipe

A soft and rich Chocolate Cake sits on top of a crunchy, buttery Oreo base. All underneath a bed layer of whipped cream under a bed of fresh and sweet fruits.

Oreo Chocolate Cake Recipe                                                                                 Recipe by iSaamuel

INGREDIENTS;
15 Oreo cookies, crushed,
2 Tablespoons of Melted Butter,

45g of Bread flour,
2 Egg Yolks,
3 Tablespoons of Melted Chocolate Chips,
3 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder,
2 Tablespoons of Oil,
3 Tablespoons of Milk,

2 Egg Whites,
50g of Sugar,

Whipped Cream, Fruits, Oreo cookies, and Powdered Sugar to garnish.

Oreo Cookie base
1. Crush 15 Oreo cookies in a plastic food bag with a rolling pin. Get rid of your stress and whack the cookies hard into fine crumbs. You could also use a food processor, but that's not fun!
2. Mix the crushed Oreo cookie crumbs with the melted butter until they are moistened like wet sand.
3. Pour the cookie mixture into a lined cake pan and press evenly across the base. Set aside in the fridge.

Making the Chocolate Cake
1. In a large mixing bowl, place the bread flour, egg yolks, melted chocolate chips, cocoa powder, oil, and milk. Whisk everything for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is thick, and gluten strands should appear.
2. In another bowl, whisk egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy. Use your elbow grease or electric beaters if you'd like!
3. Gradually fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture gently, until everything is well combined. Do not over mix as this would deflate the air from the egg whites resulting in a hard, dense cake.
4. Pour the complete Chocolate Cake batter on top of the Oreo cookie base. Bake at 180C for 15-20 minutes.Let the cake cool before decorating.
5. To decorate, whip 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1 tbsp of sugar until stiff peaks form. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe and decorate!

Garnish the cake with fresh fruits such as raspberries and blueberries or chocolate shavings and enjoy!

Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe

A soft cake oozing with a warm chocolate center than no one can resist underneath a sprinkle of elegant powdered sugar.

Chocolate Lava Cake. There's a reason why you see this dessert at almost every restaurant you visit.. because it's so good! It's elegant, it looks professional, and it is delicious. Once you make this, everyone won't stop praising you! Give this recipe a try for that meal you have planned!

Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe                                                                         Recipe by iSaamuel

INGREDIENTS;
50g of 65% Dark Chocolate,
50g of 55% Milk Chocolate,
50g of Butter,
50g of Sugar,
2 Eggs,
1 Tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract,
1/4 Cup of All Purpose Flour,
Butter and Cocoa Powder to grease and coat ramekins,

Powdered Sugar and fruits to garnish.

1. Over a pan of simmering water, place a large heatproof bowl on top with you Dark and Milk Chocolate placed inside along with the butter. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl, and that the bowl should be completely dry, as well as the utensils you are using to melt the chocolate, as it could seize up the chocolate, turning it clumpy meaning you would have to start again.
2. Set the melted chocolate aside once it has completely melted thoroughly with the butter. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and the sugar together.
3. With your pan of water simmering still on the stove, place the bowl of whisked eggs on top. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the eggs are warm to the touch, light and thick. Set aside.
4. Pour the melted chocolate into the whisked eggs and whisk constantly. Add the vanilla extract. Mix well.
5. Whisk in the flour until the batter is lump free. Grease 3 ramekins with butter and cocoa powder. Fill each one evenly with equal amounts of cake batter 3/4 way full.
6. Bake at 180C for 5-10 minutes.
How will you know they're ready? Check at 5 minutes to see if the cake is baked on top. Shake the cake little and it should be still a little 'jiggly'.
7. Make sure the cakes do not overbake. Serve immediately once taken out from the oven to quickly enjoy the molten center.
Dust with powdered sugar, garnish with fruits, and get ready for endless praise from family and friends. Enjoy!

Sponge Cake Recipe

I've always wanted the perfect recipe for moist and soft cake... here it is! After weeks of developing and testing, I have finally come up with this perfect recipe! I love using this for my Birthday Cakes, or just sharing with friends and family beneath a blanket of fluffy whipped cream for a simple decoration- I hope you like this recipe

Sponge Cake Recipe                                                                                                                       Recipe by iSaamuel

INGREDIENTS; 
6 Egg Yolks,
6 Egg Whites,
150g of Sugar,
1 Tbsp of Vanilla Extract,
9 Tbsps of Milk,
110g of Cake Flour,
60g of Butter (Melted).

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Egg Yolks, Sugar, Vanilla until the mixture is light, thick and fluffy. The longer you mix, more air will be incorporated into the final result, making the cake extra soft!
2.  Add in your Milk and Melted Butter and whisk gently until well incorporated. The mixture should still be slightly thick.
3. Sift your Cake Flour into the Egg Yolk mixture, in three portions, mixing gently after a each addition with a whisk to prevent any flour lumps. Do not overmix, other wise you'll have a very dense and tough cake! Once all of the Flour are incorporated and well mixed through, scrape down the side of the bowl with a spatula.
4. Your mixture should be nice and creamy but not too thick or dough-like.
5. Add your Egg Whites in a seperate large mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks are formed for about 3-7 minutes.
6. Gradually add your Egg Whites into your Egg Yolk mixture while folding gently to keep the air in.
7. Once there is no Egg White left, line two 10inch cake pans with non-stick parchment paper and divide the mixture evenly between the two pans. Bake the cakes for 20-25 minutes at 200c. Be careful not to overbake as it will result in denser cakes.

Let your cakes cool and frost with icing to make a Birthday Cake or top off with Whipped Cream and Fruits for an elegant dessert! Enjoy.