#16 Chewy ginger orange cookies with dark chocolate

Haven't updated the blog for a while...BUT! It doesn't mean I'm not baking these days! I may feel lazy when I think of reading journals (I'm kidding ;p) or doing sports (that's true) but for baking, seriously, I will never feel bored. NEVER.

I baked these cookies for the last baking society get-together. The theme is Christmas of course and I chose this recipe from my Secret Santa. Yay~I wrote a recipe about apple cinnamon cupcake but the one who picked it didn't turn up...Will try by myself sometimes :)

I didn't like ginger very much because of its special spicy taste. But after coming to UK, I just started to love it probably after I tried some gingerbread :) It makes you feel warm and can make the cookies more special. What's more, you can taste the fragrance of orange and the richness of dark chocolate. Hmmm Yum yum!

The edge of the cookies is a little bit hard but the centre is soft and moist. I really like the change of mouthfeel, making the cookies more tasty. Pick a cookie and have a cup of tea! Nice! It's also a good choice as a winter gift or for Christmas :)

Photo by Serena

The original recipe is from Ruby Tandoh (http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/oct/25/syrup-loaf-cake-ginger-chocolate-orange-cookies-recipe-ruby-tandoh)

#11 The First Cake

Made my first cake tonight. It makes me remember a lot of my firsts. For example, my first baking. It was more than two years ago and I baked some cookies. I didn't know I would like baking this much at that time.

The preparation was 20 mins, the baking was 1 hour, the cooling lasted 3 hours and the decoration was almost 1 hour. 

I've a leaned a lot during baking. Being patient and careful, being creative and flexible. 

I think this is what I like to do. So I'll definitely carry on. Sometimes I feel off because I spend more time baking than reading or studying. But to be honest I prefer to do things that make me happy. It's still good for me to find something I like at my 20s rather than 80s.

Hope my life will be as colorful as this cake and as sweet as it tastes.

Good night.

Photo by Serena

#10 Baked caramel pudding

First order! Yay! 

The client (never thought I would use this word to describe someoneヽ(●´∀`●)ﾉ) asked for after-meal dessert and I chose to bake this. To be honest, it was my first time to try this...so I was feeling really nervous about their taste.

After they came out from the oven, I felt less anxious because they looked really good! Later the client and his friend told me that the puddings were really delicious. This can make me smile for the whole weekend(*´艸`*)

Also baked these Portuguese tarts as Friday treat for my flatmates...taste good especially when they're hot! It was nice to drink a little and eat something sweet. Alcohol can make me get rid of inhibition and dessert can make me happy. Happy weekend everyone!

#9 Cocoa Swiss roll with cream

Another cute and delicious Swill roll~This time I put fresh cream inside and taste amazing!

The flavour of cocoa combines perfectly with the cream...nothing too sweet or greasy but just delicious (=^･ω･^=)丿

The recipe is quite similar to the one I posted in #8. Just replace 20g plain flour with cocoa powder and that's it! Easy but can have a totally different flavour!

Accidentally put two blueberries on it and find it looks like a little robot! Really cute! 

Can I just keep looking at you :)

Come on, make one and enjoy it with your friends! 

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Photo by Serena♥

#8 Swiss roll with sweet potato paste - FIRST RECIPE POSTED!

Seems swiss roll is not popular here in UK.

When I brought this to the baking meet-up, most guys looked curious and asked 'What's this?'. Some even didn't want to try because it did sound odd - Swill roll with sweet potato paste.

But after tasting, everyone looked different. I saw their eyes opening wide, corners of mouths pulling up and heads nodding. 

It is actually more tasty than I thought. And definitely more healthy. Instead of using cream, the filling is made of sweat potato! And people love the sesames outside:)

Here's the recipe! Try to make one for yourself! It's not difficult as you think...At least make a comment after trying. Looking forward to your Swiss roll！(´,,•ω•,,)♡(´,,•ω•,,)

 

#7 Savoury chive cookies

When we talk about baking, everything that pumps into mind seems sweet...too sweet maybe...so let's have something SAVOURY!

Seems this cookie is not popular in England...neither is the flavour. A lot of desserts in China will have chives to improve the taste. 

These cookies are good, I promise. At least my 7 roommates say so. ;)

Making the cookies has a lot of fun. But it's just a bit cold to melt the butter under room temperature...also takes me great efforts to squeeze the paste into the round shape.

Anyway, it's a tasty cookie and it only takes about 40 mins to eat! 

Soft and crispy! Once you bite a bit, it starts to melt in your mouth. Go with a cup of of tea or hot chocolate, enjoy your life!

They don't taste sweet but will definitely make your day sweet!

ヾ(´︶`*)ﾉ♬

Photo by Serena

#4 Sesame bun

Bun bun bun!

Really love bread because of their texture and the light sweetness, which will gradually fill in my mouth.

But...it just takes so long to make them! Takes long to knead the dough...takes long to wait for the dough to ferment...ferment again...and finally in oven.

It's getting cold. Time to have sth warm for breakfast instead of a bowl of cereals in cold milk.

Come on and make sth for your weekend~

(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

Photo by Serena

#2 Cocoa walnut cupcake

Another quick but extremely delicious recipe!

Some people may think cupcakes are too sweet but this one, with walnut inside, will never make you feel that!

They taste great! My lovely crunchy sweeties!

The most enjoyable part is always decoration!
Time to use my innovation and make the cupcakes look good.
Splash some caster sugar and don't forget the icing!
Ta-da! Hmm...look nice, smell good and taste great!

The colour and the taste makes me think about Christmas.
Wish it could be tomorrow then I could see you again.
(▰˘◡˘▰)


Photo by Serena

#1 Cream scone

Will definitely put this on my cafe menu!
Simple, warm and delicious. (๑´ڡ`๑)
Make a cup of tea and enjoy your day!

Try to make some! It only takes you half an hour to make these lovely scones.

Bite! Don't forget to eat with some sweet jam! Yum yum!

Recipe will come soon...(,,・ω・,,)

Photo by Serena