Going bananas over bananas

Over the past 2 weeks, I had the craving to bake something with bananas in it. There were a couple of occasions I bought a bunch of bananas with the hope of using them for my baking but they ended up feeding the fruitflies. Simply no time and usually too tired after work.

Reading all the fabulous blogs with banana cake recipes only made me more guilty of having to throw the rotting bunches away. Moreover, there is always an urge to try out those recipes that are featured. Moist and fluffy etc bloggers usually describe their masterpieces and then I wonder if I could produce the same.

Attracted by 2 particular recipes, by Jess@Bakericious Banana and Oreos Muffins and Banana Chocolate Cake from fellow blogger and great baker, Bakertan, I finally disciplined myself to try them out.

The Banana and Oreos Muffins were absolutely gorgeous and an instant hit with my colleagues. They could not taste the oreos as oreos and thought they were melted chocolates! Moist and fluffy - haha - now my turn to use that common phrase, the muffins were a success and I would like to acknowledge and thank Bakericious for putting up the recipe on her blog. Unfortunately, there are no photos of my muffins. 

Baketan detailed how to bake his Banana Chocolate Cake and it was so inspiring that I told myself I had to try it out. And so I did this morning. It was awesome and again, moist and fluffy. Took less than an hour to bake. Thanks Bakertan.

The quest is on - not going bananas but macaroons! Any tips or reference from dear bloggers?

Frowning on Brownies

What is the big joke for not posting on my blog? Forgotten my password. Refused to seek help and racked my brains to recall it. So finally...

Yes, about brownies. I always read in baking books, blogs that Brownies are simple to make and there are many variations and so on but what is the perfect Brownies? I suppose out there there are fudgy ones; cakey ones; melt-in-your-mouths ones and what else? To each his taste I reckon. 

I have tried a few recipes and the one I did today is from Bill's Basic by Bill Granger. Got the book immediately after a Sunday Times review of it. Bill does not just bake but whips up dishes as well (a little info for those who are not familiar with this Aussie).

I tweaked the recipe a little and the result was no one ie my family members wanted to die for it. I must qualify however, that I am still working on my baking skills...so it is not about whose recipe it is - or is it? Anyway, here I go again, looking out for that perfect Brownies. 

Coming up soon!

Did some baking over the week as I wanted to take photos of my product and put them up on the blog. Attempted Rachel Allen's Iced Orange Cake. Did not turn out quite right so decided not to post anything. Guess I tweaked the recipe and that could have affected how it turned out.

Hmm was thinking to attempt it again until I came across fellow blogger- the batter baker's Cognac's Fruit Cake. Must try it so do expect some photos and as they say - Coming Up soon!

Where Angels Fear To Tread

Baked the Kugelhupf for the first time. Have not tried out the recipe before, let alone tasting it - but packed them into a box (a wine box, actually) to present as a gift to my baker aunt. A critic but an extremely experienced and wonderful baker and chef. 

Now I await her verdict. As they say,  Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Tread.

Kugelhupf or Gugelhupf

Chanced upon blogs on baking and aspiring bakers sharing tips and photos of their products. So impressed and inspired that I want to share my experiences and photos too! This is my first time blogging and I hope to hook up with all with similar interest.

Baked my first Kugelhupf for Christmas this year. Understand it is a southern German, Swiss, Austrian term to describe a type of cake.  Learned how to bake it just a couple of days before Christmas and now, boldly presenting it to my close relatives at Christmas gathering.

Well, feedback was good and was told to bake more and share them with friends and other relatives. Hmm, perhaps they are being polite. Nevertheless, I find them extremely encouraging.

The ones I baked had an asian flavor to it - added green tea powder but to lend them a Chrismassy mood and taste, I added cranberries. May experiment with other flavors. Coming soon.