Moist and Dark Fruit Cake

"Yang, sedap nya kek ni. Mak suka.."

Mom would usually SMS me once she's safely reached home. Instead, yesterday she called and told me how the cake was :)

Well, made this for mom to bring home yesterday, of course one of her favourite cake too. No more us, being her helper..then, she could easily serve this to any guest who came for Raya by next week and good thing, this cake could last up to 2 weeks, kept cool in the fridge. Initially, Mom requested for a steam fruit cake, but with that tiny steamer of mine..instead i decided to give this a try.

This is the new recipe I tried form the same book..seems the recipes were foolproof (till now) and simple to follow. Looks like, i'll be trying all the recipes in the book soon. :)

The cake looks dry on the outer, but if you touch it down it was soft! I'll probably be making another of this soon for me to taste too.

Recipe as follow;

175 g raisins

175g sultanas

175g pitted prunes

150g halved cherries

50g dried blackcurrants

50g dried cranberries

50g pitted dates

Grated zest of 1 orange

250 ml orange juice

175g pure butter, SCS

175g soft brown sugar

4 eggs, beaten

200g SRF

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
A handful of toasted almond on top

- Soak all dried fruits into the orange juice over night.

- Take 1/2 of the soaked fruits and made to puree.

- Pre-heat oven at 150 Celsius and grease an 8 inch square pan.

- Beat butter & sugar till fluffy.

- Add in beaten eggs, mix well.

- Add in fruit puree and remainder soaked fruits.

- Add in vanilla. mix well.

- Pour in flour and stir well until well combined.

- Pour into pan, bake until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Before baking, I've arranged some leftover toasted whole almonds on top of the cake.

Sharing the cake page from the book. I omitted the butter cream topping.

Happy baking and let me know how'd you like it.. :)

Almost Famous Amos Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tomorrow school starts, meaning our daily routine to resume and busy like usual. What an enjoyment to be a stay home mom. The Raya, the weekends, the school holidays..everyday were incomparable to the days we used to encounter during my working days. But I guess, different people do have different opinion and variable life style in living their life. I am just as good as what I am now, smelling the best essence of life :)

I baked these cookies on Thursday night and by the time I had the chance to update this entry, only 1/3 of cookies were still available in our cookies jar. I used the same recipe  as this one as posted earlier. But this time around I added 10 gram of cocoa powder + 1/2 cup of dried blackcurrants + 1/2 cup of dried cranberries + 1/4 cup of toasted almond nibs. To my surprise, the cookies were still crunchy and worth all the effort!!

My recent visit to the Pantry Magic in Bangsar, with these cookie cutters to add to my collection! Do email zsyakirah@gmail.com to order custom-made cookies to brighten up your special day.

And here too, home made vanilla essence from Pantry Magic. Having to bake almost weekly, I've been experimenting with different type of ingredients to achieve a delicious and delectable bakes, not only i'd like but to all. Thank you too Kak Farida for sharing her experience on how much difference can a pure ingredient, affect to your bakes. Like always, I'll be using pure butter (anchor or SCS) only and now will be using pure vanilla essence in my bakes. No more All Star brand vanilla flavour. Bake it, then u'll smell and taste the huge difference. Fida Vanilla, RM30 per 100 ml, u can still see the vanilla seeds in the bottle :)

Have a great week ahead all!

Strawberry Yoghurt Cake with Vanilla Cream

My parents, sisters, brother & SIL, came for dinner yesterday. As usual, the menu would be simple but decadent to everyone. If I'd cook something complicated, at the end no one will eat or even look at as, mom's cook were incomparable. Therefore, without thinking further, BBQ (hubby's special marinate) & fried mee hoon were the menu alike usual..and of course, I'll bake something different to be the centre of attraction.

I had leftover strawberry from last's week lassi..and while flipping the old cook book i had (Delicious Baking Magazine), and decided to try the Strawberry Yoghurt cake with Vanilla Cream.

Delicious..light..moist and soft & so refreshing with the lemony twist and most important, not that sweet! Just perfect after whacking all those oily lamb, chicken and salmon.

175gram butter 

200 gram SRF

200 gram caster sugar

150 ml low fat yoghurt

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Lemon zest from whole lemon

A box of strawberry, thinly sliced + a hand full of sugar to sprinkle on top

- Pre-heat oven at 160 Celsius and grease an 8 inch square pan.

- Cream butter and sugar till fluffy.

- Add egg, one at a time, mix well.

- Add vanilla & lemon zest, mix well.

- Pour in yoghurt and flour, mix well.

- Pour batter in pan and arrange strawberry accordingly on top. Sprinkle sugar on top.

- Bake till done.

Once done, serve with whipped fresh cream & vanilla as well as toasted nibbed almond. 

Scrumptious!!

Though it was the same menu all over, but this delicious strawberry yoghurt cake had steered to perfect & sweet dinner for everyone.

Happy trying & baking. Cheers and enjoy your weekend!

At home at last..

Only today, we finally be at home and resting after days of visiting and eatings to both sides of the family. And, I still havent resume on any baking yet..rest till you can :)

Us, on the first day of Aidilfitri. It is so hard to really capture decent photos of the boys. They just cant stay still.

Below are some photos of bakes delivered on Saturday, a day before Eid. The rest of cakes (fruit, butter, orange, red velvet) were delivered without being captured..anyhow, thank you all!!! And again, Salam Aidilfitri!

Chocolate oreo cake with oreo cream & chocolate ganache.

Moist chocolate cake with chocolate ganache as layer and buttercream for decorations.

Rainbow cake with buttercream.

My cookies ran out fast and so glad my family loved them and of course i'll be baking our own cookies for every Eid!. I have made another batch of the Almost Famous Amos cookies (tightly wrapped in the fridge), but havent have the time to bake them yet. 

Till then all..eat in moderation (telling my self too!) & be safe..

Almost Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bright day all! Here is the other Raya cookie that I mentioned earlier. The best crunchy chocolate chip cookies and how true as was pro-claimed as, Almost Famous Amos! Bake it then you'll know it. It's light, crunchy and not too sweet alike Famous Amos..hence you can munch with half the guilt..hiksss

The recipe was taken from Kak Rima .

And...my favourite Raya delight..my mom's popiah gulung, with sweet peanuts fillings. My mom would make tins of these when we were small and we'd spend hours to roll these crunchy popiah. And now, when me and my sis were married, mom would still make these on her own, but just enough for us to munch. Yes, she 'll made it only for us!! Lucky hubby and kids wasn't too keen..and yes, they are all mine..hehe

People are flocking back to their kampung already..have a safe journey!

Eid Mubarak..

I am so sorry for the long silence. I've been fully occupied with the kids lately plus, all those eid preparations. Finding a boy's shirt is a headache, let alone shirts & pants..for 4 boys (including hubby), certainly drove me crazy.

My eldest son, have been fasting at his own will almost daily. And please dont imagine the request for Iftar, from the drinks to the main meal. By night, I was so exhausted and snuggling next to my baby, simply shoved me to the neverland till my morning alarm shouted aloud.

On the other note, my first year of being a stay home mom during Ramadan was really satisfying. So far, only 2 days of Iftar outside and the rest were all home cooked. And believe or not, I havent step a foot to a Ramadan Bazaar at all this year! And I missed my long queue and crowd at Restoran TTDI Jaya  for a decent Iftar meal! A good thing I've realized that..less wastage.

I managed to squeeze in some night time to bake these cookies for us. Only after all where arranged in their boxes I've realized that mostly where chocolate base..these were mainly requested by my sons.

Crunchy Almond London. Yes, this recipe is definitely to keep.

Recipe was from CMG.

Butter shortbread with chocolate. Nice!!
Recipe from Kak Wan, where i omit the cocoa for the cookie base..

Crunchy Snow Almond. Delicious!
Recipe was from Kak Azlita

Rolled pineaplle tart.
I did another version of tart using this recipe..nonetheless, I personally prefer..the previous version I did.

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I have 2 more cookies to share..but too lazy to take them out of their sealed boxes and take photos..insyaallah will do share soon.

And this cake was ordered last Sunday..sorry for such long delay to share the pic. Butter cake with chocolate chips and coated with chocolate ganache = chocolatey butter cake..perfect! We had some Maltesers in the fridge and simply arrange them on the cake.

To all, my valued customers, blog readers, friend, family and all the muslims..may His blessings are upon you & family for now and as always.

Be safe..eat in moderation..travel safe and take care. And dont forget to hug your loved ones :)

Happy Eid Ul Fitri all!!

Ramadan al-baraqah..

I've always planned but, due to circumstances everything changes and did not go as planned. I planned, yet He the Most Merciful decided. Especially in this month of Ramadan, everything seems so easy and perfectly seamless. Subhanallah and syukur.

I purposely announced early that no bakes during Ramadan as I feel I'd like to focus on family..nonetheless..request keeps coming in..my baby sleeps early now adays..once done completed my prayers..I was 'nothing' much to. One order accepted then, followed by another. Believe me, baking is very contagious. Once you've started, you'd be so eagerly to have more.

Thank you to all..again thank you!

Choc banana cake & chocolatey batik cake.

Rainbow cake with buttercream in Barbie theme.

Devil food cake in Cars theme.

Chocolate moist cake in Jake in the Neverland theme.

Red velvet cake with cream cheese with ruffle design.

Red velvet cake with cream cheese and fresh strawberry.

Thank you every one who ordered and having the trust in me :) Again thank you!

Superlicious Choc-Banana Cake

My kids loved banana, in fact, banana was the first fruit word all the three could pronounce when they were all beginning to mumble. This fruit is a wonder (to me :) ), easily prepared be it to raw, fritters..and most important easily digested to little tummies.

Since it is Ramadan, and only my 5 yo Iman & 1 yo Zarif were not fasting, hence our banana from last week was still 'there' on the kitchen counter.

I rather not waste those precious fruit and planned for something since morning..and ended up making this delicious, moist, soft and not too sweet banana cake (as I reduced tremendous amount of sugar). Glad that I decided to make this really delicious cake! The thin caramelized banana added on top was indeed a plus points!

Original recipe from : Kak Rima. Thank you Kak Rima for sharing such wonderful recipe!!

Made some adaptations as revised below;

Ingredients:
225g superfine flour 
3 tsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 
3 - 4 very ripe banana (about 1 cup), mashed (i used pisang emas)
200g castor sugar 
2 eggs 
125g unsalted butter, room temperature cut into small chunks 
100ml buttermilk 
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

For topping: 
I used 6 little pisang emas, slice thinly for topping 
1 Tbsp castor sugar 


Method: 

1. Preheat oven to 160C. Butter and line a deep 8 inch ring tin or 2 loaf tins

2. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and bicarbonate soda. 

3. Add banana, sugar and egg into a food processor and whiz until thick and smooth. Add in butter, buttermilk  and vanilla, whiz till thick.

4. Pour into a bowl and add in flour. Mix until all were well together and add in the chocolate chips.

5. Place the sliced bananas on top of the batter and sprinkle with sugar. 

6. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes. Do not open the oven during baking time or the center may sink. U'll know it is almost ready when your house are filled with with the sweet aroma of banana. Cool cake completely before unmoulding.

I will definitely be using this recipe again and again!

Had a large slice of the cake again for Sahur together with a big glass of milk..

Happy Ramadan all!!

Rolled Pineapple Tart

Salam Ramadan to all.

Time flew so fast and we are already so close to our second week of fasting. I've promised to my self that I'll be baking my own Raya cookies this year. Since I am a house wife now..it is not plausible to be spending hundred of Ringgit for Raya cookies any more. Hiksss...I cant justify that to hubby can i..:)  My Raya cookies allocations are normal for our house, my mom's, my in-laws and as well as 'buah tangan' to my aunties/uncles. And of course I'll be baking only our favourites. All determined and prepared..here goes my first batch of Pipeapple Tart, a must have each and every single year. 

Any one with the same motivation as me this this year..here is the recipe to share :)

The original recipe : CMG 
Adapted as below;

230 gram butter (i used anchor)
400 gram flour
40 gram corn flour 
50 gram icing sugar
2 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla essence
Pineapple jam (i used the premium ready made from Bagus)

1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp cold water for glazing

1. Mixed butter + sugar till fluffy.

2. Add in beated egg yolk & vanilla.

3. Add in sifted flour & corn flour.

4. Rolled dough and cut in rectangle shape, I ensured the width is approx 2 inch wide.

5. Piped the jam horizontally at the edge of the dough. Rolled slowly and neatly. cut at your desired length.

6. Baked for 20 minutes in a pre-heated oven of 160 degrees Celsius.

7. Let cool on the cookies rack and pack in your cookies container :)

And, here are some bakes ordered. Thank you :)

Three chocolate batik cakes.

A chocolate walnut brownie.

'Selamat Berbuka' to all.

The weather is extremely dry, please be ensure we have a lot of water during Iftar.. Take care!

Pretty and Adorable Fancy Cookies!

Assalam all and hope it had been a blessed Ramadan for all. Alhamdulillah.

Here, there..everywhere people are busy selling/buying Raya cookies but here I am diverting far away from the flow, fascinated and blown away by these pretty and adorable fancy cookies.

I've always wanted to endeavour the soft and creative touch in making these little beauties..and only yesterday I've had the chance to join Kak Farida and Kak Liza's from The Dessert Table  for their fancy cookies class. The class so informative since I am so new to royal icing and yes, it was LOTTTSSSAAA fun!

And thank you hubby for taking a leave and managing the kiddos ..muahhsss

Photos taken during the class in their cosy and spacious kitchen, using my phone only :)

Wedding cookies I made!!! I love them all!

Fancy for pretty and adorable cookies for your special day? 


You'll know where to find me :)


Salam Ramadan to all and take care!

Less-Sweet Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Simply for no apparent reasons, I was cravingggg for a lemony, not so sweet cake but soft in texture (no..i dont want a moist or spongy texture) cake. The cake you could dig in with zero guilt. And since Ramadan will be here in hours time and means no more munching, I quickly made this cake 830 am this morning. Not my normal baking time! My baby was looking pretty occupied watching Teletubbies and I managed to escaped my self to the kitchen. It just took me 20 minutes to prepare..weeeeheee..

I turned out so good that I whacked quarter of cake in 1 afternoon...totally blew, my calories count.. I only used 100g of sugar for this recipe. 

Yes!! will again bake this for my self..not for orders though because probably I'd be getting this remarks.."what? cake without sugar? bread?"...

Original recipe was here
Kindly refer below recipe for modifications I've made to meet my taste :)

Less-Sweet Cream Chee
Ingredients; 
- 195g all purpose flour {i used superfine flour}
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 150g unsalted butter, room temperature {I used SCS}
- 140g package cream cheese, room temperature {I used the great philly}
- 100g castor sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Zest of a lemon and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice 
- Handful of dark chocolate chips to sprinkle on top


1. Preheat oven to 175°C and place rack in center of oven. Butter and line an 8-inch round cake tin. 
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, in three additions, beating well after each addition. Continue beating on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and lemon zest & juice and beat until incorporated.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. I sprinkled some chocolate chips just for fun. Baked for 50 mins or till cooked.

Happy trying! 

Bakes made last night are below..and thank you!

Carrot cake & walnut with cream cheese.

Cotton soft durian cake.

Moist chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and cream cheese, pre-ramadhan request by my hubby.

AGAIN..I lost my counts on the calories :)

And, Ramadan is here.. Syukur, the most anticipated month of all months will be here in just hours away. Not just the month for us to fast, but to refrain ourselves for all the bad doings and focuses on good deeds. And please, do forgive me for the wrongs I said or blog..for unsatisfactory of service I made to all my lovely friends, customers and reader. Let us focus on our 'ibadah' this month Insyaallah.

At the same time, cant wait to bake my own cookies this year. Wait for the post!

Take care!

No bakes during Ramadhan..

How time flew so fast. The memories from last Ramadhan was still fresh in me, and here we are only a few days away from the holy month. Half of last year's Ramadhan was spent in the hospital due to my sick baby..and I hope this year will be a better & fulfilling month with all possible good deeds.

I just want to lay low for this month and focus on me & family only. Therefore. no new orders/bakes during Ramadhan. I'll be baking my own cookies and will indeed share the recipe and photos here.

Few bakes for today..

Rainbow cake with butter cream. Layers of BC colours were the same as cake colours. This is a 10 inch cake using 1.5 recipe.

 A 12 inch red velvet cake with cream cheese with rosetta twirls on top.

TQ Aida.

Take care all & wishes all muslims a blessing Ramadhan, Insyaallah.

Prune, Raisin and Cherry Fruit Cake

This simple and delicious fruit cake ended my bakes for this week. We and my in laws were having a picnic in Lata Jarum, Raub Pahang and the fruit cake was a long 'said' item from my dear FIL.

I didnt use the ready made mixed fruit package, instead made my own mixed fruit of my my favorite dried fruits only..hehehe..

Here an easy peasy recipe you can whipped in 10 minutes.

250 g fruits {i used pitted prunes,black raisins & cherry}
1 orange, squeezed & zest
250 g butter {used SCS}
150 g soft brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
250 g superfine flour*
2 tsp baking powder*
1/2 tsp cinnamon*
1/2 tsp nutmeg*
Note* - mix all together


How to;

1. Placed mixed fruits and squeezed orange juice into a bowl and left set for 2 hours, longer is better.
2. Beat butter with brown sugar till soft.
3. Mix in vanilla & eggs.
4. Mix flour and fruit mixture alternately.
5. Bake in 8 inch pan for 1 hour @ 170 degree celcius or skewer came out clean.

My FIL said, "jangan lupa buat untuk raya" ..hehehe then I'd knew it tasted good!

A fulfilling week that was and here were all the bakes.

Rainbow cake with my special butter cream.

Red velvet cake with cream cheese in rosetta design as requested.

Red velvet cupcake with cream cheese.

Moist chocolate cake with chocolate ganache with Upin & Ipin edible image.

Lemon Cheese tart with tangerines.

Fondant wedding cake with light maroon ruffle flowers.

Bottom tier of the cake was chocolate moist, while the top tier was butter cake.

Only the fruit cake I managed to bake for our picnic..we also had rev velvet & delicious macarons which I ordered from Kak Yani from Kitchen Guardian. The macarons were half gone before we even reach Raub. The coffee macs were delicious!! A true coffee taste for coffee lovers!  Nice meeting you kak! No pics, sorry, too busy munching to snap any..hehehe..and TQs for the delicious red velvet whoopie pie..nyumss!

Thank you all!!!! Cheers :)