Yema Cake Recipe

baking should be accurate. But measurement conversions also vary online and even the oven temperature depending on the brand. This recipe is based on my conversions during the time of baking and in my oven experience . If it helps, I bake using Bompani model 664.40GGFS gas cooker - on the lowest rack. You can bake  as you please depending on how familiar you are with your oven.  

This is one recipe I just copied online and made some adjustments which got thumbs up from those who tasted it.

Ingredients:

§  For the cake:

Part 1

• 50 g butter stick (or nearly ¼ c butter as ¼ cup butter converts from 55  to 60ml, see what I mean about conversion?)
• 250 g Philadelphia cream cheese spread
• 1 110 ml or 1/3 c + 2 tbsp can evaporated milk 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Part 2

• 6 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• ¾ c + 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

§  For the icing

• 1 can condensed milk (I used Alaska)
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp butter
• grated cheese
• slivered almonds

Cooking Instructions:

1.       Part 1: Over simmering water, melt together cream cheese, butter and milk. Once melted, let cool to room temperature. Using a mixer, add in flour, cornstarch, salt to the cream cheese mixture. Then add in egg yolks and lastly the lemon juice. Set aside.

2.      Part 2: In a separate bowl, mix egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Add in vanilla then gradually add sugar and mix until stiff peaks form. Fold in to the cream cheese mixture. Make sure everything is well combined.

3.      Pour batter into a 10.5-inch round cake pan covered with parchment paper. Bake the cake in a water bath for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until done at 180° C. (This is based on my available pan and oven temperature. Most recipes call for 8-inch round pan and baking on 375° F, I wonder how tall it is when it rises.)

4.      For the icing:  Combine 1 can of condensed milk and egg yolks and cook in low heat. Add in vanilla and almond extract. Cook until it thickens enough to spread. Add in butter.

5.      Let the cake cool and pour over the icing.  Top with grated cheese and slivered almonds.

Note: I used large cheese grater but the finer one is suggested so it will have smoother finish.

Happy baking!!! 

                                                      

Doves for Dedication

Project 2              : Dove soaps give away

Description        :  For Baby Gale on her Dedication

Discoveries        :  Convenience of Japanese stores (like Daiso, Japan Home and the likes)

Challenges         :  1. Innovation, again, lack of crafts supply in the UAE

                                        2. Precision, as I was working with paper. It will look messy when paper has gone through too many folding.

Materials used  :

·         Dove soaps (small ones)

·         Tempura paper (19.7 cm x 21.8 cm) – choose the pattern with shimmering strands, it works best for wrapping

·         1.6 cm width pink and 1.2 cm silver ribbons

·         Accents : Rose buttons and pastel colour rose accents  

·         Craft glue

Procedure (and practical tips):

·         Tempura papers lining: 1 sheet cut into 3, to be used as lining or initial wrapping of the soap. The width should just be enough to cover the soap from end to end. Secure the lining with craft glue.

·         Actual wrapper: wrap the soap like wrapping any gift. This is the best wrapping technique considering the shape of the soap. You might need to cut a few centimeters of excess paper on one side so it will be in exact size with provision to folding and pleats if you want. Pleats will add texture and layering before placing the ribbon and accents.

·         Wrap around with ribbon on top of the pleats. Layer the 2 ribbons with the wider one underneath. Use craft glue in securing the ribbon ends.

·          Attach the rose accents on upper right corner giving allowance for the label. For button like accents, you can attach it by inserting the uppermost ribbon in the holes. For regular rose accents, you can simply glue them.

·         Attach the label and it’s ready for drying. 

*** credits to Mommy Yin for the soap idea

Chocolates & Crafts

Project 1            : Christmas Tray of Goodies

Description        : Holiday corporate give away

Size                          : Various Sizes

Challenges          : 1. Must be elegant while practical

                                        2. Limited options for Christmas ornaments in the UAE – store-bought is just  too expensive

Materials used  :

·         Trays  in various sizes, gold or silver in colour

·         Christmas colour fabric ribbons – at least 2 colours as per your colour motif, 6 - 7cm in width, length will vary depending on your bow style

·         Red and gold Christmas balls – in various sizes and pine cones

·         Glue gun

·         Silver or gold soft metallic wrapper

·         Double sided tape

·         Craft wire or any similar soft wire 

Procedure (and practical tips):

·         Make large bows from the ribbons. Use craft wires to secure, lock and put together the ribbons and bows. Using craft wires will also help you tie, stretch and style the bows easily. There are various kinds that you can try. Make at least one of gold and red bows and put them together. I find big ribbons more appealing as they give the hampers more character.

·         Place accordingly in the corner of the tray and add balls and pine cones using glue gun. Target areas where glues will be hidden. For larger trays, add a few more balls at the opposite corner. Be careful not to overdo your accents though. Also, work on the combination of matte and glossy – make sure they don’t clash.

·         Fill the bottom of the tray with soft metallic wrapper as base. Use glue gun to hold it in place.  This will fill the space and elevate the chocolates when placed.

·         Put double-sided tape to the whole surface where chocolates will be placed. Leave them for a few minutes or what I did, I lightly wiped some parts of the surface with a damp cloth so it will not be too sticky. Chocolates should be lightly adhered only to the base otherwise, wrappers get stuck on the surface – ugly and messy.  

·         Time to put the chocolates. Group according to size and wrapper, it will be easy on the eyes. I put bigger ones on edges so they can also support those smaller once at the centre. Don’t forget the gift card.