Sweet Temptations CupCakes

It was my daughter's 13th birthday and so I gave in to her raving about a sort of "tea/baking party".   We did not plan anything for that day, because we bought her favorite pair of shoes days ago and she had invited a few of her classmates to go to Meidolls Cafe.  But no, I didn't want that day to be wasted.  So I whipped up a plan, headed to the grocery and grabbed quickly the stuff I need for a decent dinner, one that somehow my family would call special.
Also, I need to make some experiments on how we will do my Dana's birthday cupcakes on her party on May.   Good thing Baker's Depot has a branch at Waltermart Pasong Tamo.  So we were able to buy a few items I lack and will be needing for that preparation.

Here is the recipe for the Sweet Temptation Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 bar butter,softened                       1/2 tsp.  Baking soda
2 cups sugar                                    1/2 tsp iodized salt
1/2 cup whole eggs                          1 cup evap milk
1/4 tsp vanilla                                   1/2 cup light syrup
1 tsp. Baking powder                       3/4 cup cocoa
                                                        2 1/3 cups all purpose flour

Procedure:
Mix cocoa and flour in a bowl, set aside.   Mix and beat all ingredients, adding cocoa-flour mixture last.   Pour on a cupcake lined pan.   Bake for 20-25 mins at 350*F.  Cool before frosting.

The last picture shows my daughter, Danielle (the celebrant) decorating the cupcakes.  One batch or recipe makes 22-25 cupcakes.

Home-made Banana Split-Vanilla Ice Cream Edition

Here are some ideas on perking-up vanilla ice creams!

Banana Split V1: Vanilla ice cream at the center of sliced lacatan banana, topped with chocolate bits.

 Banana Split V2:

Vanilla Ice cream scoops in between lacatan banana slices topped w/ Ferrero Rocher , sprnkled with Nesquik powder!

Banana Split Kiddie Version:

My kids fave!
In the middle of lacatan banana slices, put scoops of vanilla ice cream, drizzle with cocoa powder and mini M & Ms.

Uber Yummy!

Corn and Coconut Granita

   

Simplifying yumminess is what I do best!

I took a champagne  glass, layered with coconut, 

Coconut Granita *, and Corn.

Walaaa!  A dessert! A snack!  A healthy Option!

Granita (in Italian also granita siciliana) is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavorings. Originally from Sicily, although available all over Italy (but granita in Sicily is somewhat different from the rest of Italy), it is related to sorbet and italian ice. However, in most of Sicily, it has a coarser, more crystalline texture. Food writer Jeffrey Steingarten says that "the desired texture seems to vary from city to city" on the island; on the west coast and in Palermo, it is at its chunkiest, and in the east it is nearly as smooth as sorbet. ^[1] This is largely the result of different freezing techniques: the smoother types are produced in a gelato machine, while the coarser varieties are frozen with only occasional agitation, then scraped or shaved to produce separated crystals.
( copied from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granita)

How to make Coconut Granita:

    In a pitcher, mix coconut juice from 2 coconuts and half cup of condensed milk.   Once mixed pour on a 5" to 7" plastic tray, cover and refrigerate for an hour.  After 1 hour you will notice the top hardens a bit, scrape it off and mix.  Refrigerate for two more hours, scrape again until you achieve a slushy consistency in the ice.  It will be ready to serve by then.

Banoffee Pie

The Original Hungry Monk Banoffi Pie Recipe

Invented at the Hungry Monk in 1972, Banoffi Pie (originally known as Banoffee Pie), is still as popular today as it was the first time it appeared on the menu. There have been many imitations as far and wide as Russia and the United States; it is even rumored to be Mrs Thatcher's favourite pudding! Below is the original Banoffi Pie recipe as it first appeared in 'The Deeper Secrets of the Hungry Monk' in 1974.

Banoffi Pie Recipe (to serve 8-10 people) 12 ounces uncooked shortcrust pastry 1.5 tins condensed milk (13.5 ounces each) 1.5 pounds firm bananas 375ml of double cream Half a teaspoon powdered instant coffee 1 dessertspoon caster sugar A little freshly ground coffee PreparationPreheat the oven to gas mark 5 (400F, ). Lightly grease a 10in x 1.5in flan tin. Line this with the pastry thinly rolled out. Prick the base all over with a fork and bake blind until crisp. Allow to cool. The secret of this delicious pudding lies in the condensed milk. Immerse the cans unopened in a deep pan of boiling water. Cover and boil for 3 hours making sure that the pan does not boil dry *(see CAUTION). Remove the tin from the water and allow to cool completely before opening. Inside you will find the soft toffee filling. MethodWhip the cream with the instant coffee and sugar until thick and smooth. Now spread the toffee over the base of the flan. Peel and halve the bananas lenghtways and lay them on the toffee. Finally spoon or pipe on the cream and lightly sprinkle over the freshly ground coffee. *CAUTION It is absolutely vital to top up the pan of boiling water frequently during the cooking of the cans. 3 hours is a long time and if they are allowed to boil dry the cans will explode causing a grave risk to life, limb and kitchen ceilings. Hint - Banoffi is a marvellous "emergency" pudding once you have the toffee mixture in your store cupboard. We therefore suggest that you boil several cans at the same time as they keep unopened indefinitely.

Fruity Yogurt Parfait

Famous Facts about Yogurt
- It is an immunity booster, good in fighting in body infections.
-Very good for those who are hypertensive or has high blood pressure, for it lowers cholesterol level.

Studies show that live cultures in yogurt absorbs cholesterol.
-Best milk substitute, for lactose-intolerants or have protein allergy, since it has less lactose.
-Lowers the risk of colon cancer.  Yogurt has lactobacteria, which prevents the production of carcinogens in the intestines.
-Like milk, it is also rich in calcium, not only does it provides the body with enough protein, it also prevents excess growth of the cells lining the colon and as well as the stomach lining.
-The soy food stabilizes sugar, diabetics can have this.
-A good food for those on diet.

Ingredients:
For 1 to 2 servings 
  1 pack of yogurt, plain or flavored,
         here I used Yummy Strawberry
         of Nestle
  sliced ripe mangoes
  sliced lacatan banana
  Milo cereal
  Fruit loops breakfast cereal

Easy steps in making:
Put a few Milo and fruit loop cereals,
   add the magoes and bananas, top with yogurt,
   then o another layer with the same ingredients.
Top it with more yogurt and bits of milo
   and fruit loops.
ENJOY the goodness of a healthy and fruity snack.

This can also be enjoyed for breakfast and dessert.
Variations may include ice cream or heavy whipped
cream instead of yogurt.  Nuts and other fruits
can be added.




 Very easy to make, here my youngest daughter was the one who whipped this up, I just told her what to put on the glass.   But i did the slicing though.  FYI, this was her breakfast!