Nutella Cupcakes

What initially started out as a plan to make cinnamon rolls became nutella cupcakes instead.. There's much to learn in bread making, and I'm barely touching the tip. It's a whole new aspect of baking and I have to try many more times to get it right. Next time, I'll remember patience and I'll remember temperature and humidity for the dough!

So I can't bring myself to end today's baking empty handed and so here's Nutella Cupcakes! I'll bring it to school, hopefully it makes everyone feel a bit better. The atmosphere is killing me.

Today made me feel very lost. I think I can't see the big picture anymore. Perhaps I was searching for an answer as I baked, perhaps I've found my answer. It didn't matter if I couldn't produce cinnamon rolls, but it mattered if I went to school empty handed. 

It doesn't matter if things don't work out, the only thing that should matter is that our hearts can continue to smile as it should. Please be happy.

2012

It's my favourite recipe again... And it's the time of the year where I look back and make my new year resolution. With chocolate chip cookies!

Last year's resolution was to forgive. I DID IT. I found perfection in imperfection and learning to let go was one of the most difficult things that I had to do. I've accomplished much for baking, I've learnt to love so much more and to all those who completed my 2011, I can't thank you enough for accepting me and letting me into your life.

This year's resolution is to learn to love myself more. I'm not perfect, because I don't have to be. Instead of trying to prove myself, I'm learning to live for myself. As much as I've let go, I also realised that in the process, I forgot what it was like to hold on to what truly matters. It's scary when I let myself be defined by material gains. Because at the end of the day, those aren't what makes me truly happy. University showed me many amazing people, and I've been inspired in countless ways. Stories shared awakened emotions, reminding me that somewhere not so deep within, I was still that girl that I've always wanted to be but never dared to be.

So this year, I'll be that girl. And I'll continue to inspire. Because we've only got one life, it's time to make it count.

As I usher in this year, I've made some mistakes. Mistakes that had to be made, that opened up my heart to what I couldn't see with my eyes. This time, I don't want to make a mistake again. Too important, therefore I am too afraid. Don't want to be lost again without my pillar of strength and inspiration.

On a side note, I hope this happens!:

Strawberry Shortcake

I made strawberry shortcake for the first time! And I have never eaten strawberry shortcake before in my life. In fact, I have never seen a strawberry shortcake! A google search revealed a shocking fact: Strawberry shortcakes aren't pretty.

But Faith wanted a strawberry shortcake, so I tried my best and here it was! The recipe from JoyofBaking was quite good, given the fact that the cake was devoured in the end. But next time, maybe I'll make the shortcake thinner.

I love strawberries, they make pretty patterns :)

I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. It's just the best way to express my love for all of you! Thanks for making my life so amazing in 2011...

Happy Belated Birthday Faith, I'm really glad you had a great night. It's another memory to add to my pretty glass bottle :)

Log Cakes 2011

Merry Christmas! :)

It's christmas again and the log cakes start "rolling" out! This year I discovered SNOW on log cakes...

 

Santa please tell me I've been a good girl this year. I've been asking for the same thing every year, but you never do seem to realise it. How do you expect me to bake better cakes without my fuel for inspiration?

The mistletoe is always too crowded.

Who gives Santa christmas presents?

Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

I did it, the 3 kg chocolate cake for Ying Quan's birthday party! He's really quite an awesome guy, and by inviting me to bake his 21st birthday cake really means a lot to me. It took me a whole night and half a day, but it was worth every moment of it.

Almost 70 slices and a whole bunch of happy people enjoying the cake. I can't describe how I felt when they came up and said the cake was awesome. Some moments that really melted my heart were: 1) When a guy came up and asked if I was going to open up a shop, because he felt that I would succeed.2) When another guy told me I'll put awfully chocolate out of business.3) When the few came up to ask for second helpings.4) All the random comments such as: I wish I could have this cake for my birthday every year.5) Everyone who came up to me and told me it was good.Realised that all I needed was just someone to understand how this meant so much to me. To remind myself to have a little more faith that I can take on such projects and accomplish it. It's another milestone and another learning journey for myself.For the next attempt, I'm going to get the crispy thing right. Cause now it's "the chewy chewy thing"...You know what, right now, I'm so damn happy :)