THE White Choc Duplo Cake and A Happy New Year :)

Hello my dear readers, viewers, and friends, hope you all are fine and doing well at your Ends.

As it is my first post in this New Year, so here’s wishing you all a peaceful

*Happy New Year*

ahead. May it be a blessed one in every way for all of us. Amen

As I opened my site today I thought Oh God its ages since I uploaded here :( The reason, I had been really busy with a lot, some personal events, and some health seminars and different other issues…
will come up with them and let you all know soon

(click on the pic for a larger Image)

 So here I am with another really yummz cake which I made for my Hubby’s Birthday. I wanted to make something different as the normal ones.
I had planned to make a white Choc Cake and then I came up with the idea of the White Duplo Cake.

 

(click on the pic for a larger Image) 

There started the first problem, we don’t get White Duplo here the whole year, I literally searched for them a whole day, from one super market to the other and finally found them at one store. I had to calculate how many I need for a huge cake. The sales girl was so friendly that she opened a packet and took a packed cake from the shelf and started placing them on the edges to count. How sweet na

 

 

Well so in the end I needed 5 packs of them with 12 each!

I took extra as I wanted to crush some for the icing  : )

 

 

The making is not difficult; it’s the preps that need a good amount of time, and then the setting of the Duplo one by one, first cutting them equally.

I did not pay so much attention at the perfection, as I love the uneven way, after all it is handmade and not bakery made J

 

 

So this is how I prepared this delish cake:

You Need:

1 cup soft butter

2 cups sugar

125 gram white baking chocolate, (melt and let cool down)

4 eggs

1teaspoon Vanilla essence

350 gram all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

125 ml buttermilk

¼ cup water

(click on the pic for a larger Image)
 

Frosting:

500 gr cream cheese (Philadelphia)

220 gr soft butter

125 gram white baking chocolate (melt and let cool down)

250 gr of Raspberry jam (jelly) 

1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

5 level cups of confectioners' sugar (extra fine sugar/Icing sugar

 

 

-take a big bowl and beat the butter till it is creamy white

-add the sugar and beat again till all mixes up

-pour in the melted chocolate and beat all again

-now add the egg one after the other and keep beating

-add the vanilla essence and mix all

-in a separate bowl, combine the flour and the baking soda and sieve it thrice, this is good to give you a very fluffy spongy cake.

You may think just 1 teaspoon of soda, yes you've read it right :) Soda expands and is the best for deacidification,and so the best to use in all bakes and cakes!

- now add the butter milk and the water slowly into the batter and keep beating till all creamy and smooth

-pour this batter into a 28 cm round cake pan and bake in the pre heated oven on 180°C for around 25-30 minutes.

Check with a tooth pick if the cake is done, I use a shashlik stick as it is long and you can prevent your hand against the extreme hot oven : )

Now let the cake cool down completely as we have to cut it in three layers, so it should be really cold and firm.

I let it stay for nearly half the day, covered in the cake box

 

(click on the pic for a larger Image) 

In the mean while prepared the frosting and the cutting of the Duplos

The duplo bars should not stand too high above the cake so I measured it with the cake and then cut all accordingly.

I crushed 5-6 bars to mix it in the icing for the layers, this gives a nice duplo Choc flavor and increases the taste.

 

 For the Frosting:

-take a large bowl, mix in the cream cheese and butter and beat till fluffy-add the icing sugar gradually and beat till you have a smooth creamy texture

-mix in the confectioners ‘sugar, this is not the normal castor sugar, it is mixed with some corn starch so the cream stays settled for long.

-now take out some cream in an extra bowl and add in the crushed duplo and mix all well

(click on the pic for a larger Image) 

-cut the cake very carefully into three layers, first spread the jam all over a bit thick layer as it absorbs, then spread the duplo mixed cream on each layer and place them back evenly

-Spread the rest cream evenly on the top and the sides of the cake, the sides will hold the duplo sticks.

-now start placing the duplo round around,  take care that all are equal high, a bit of difference doesn’t  really matter!

 

I tied the duplo bars with a ribbon, so it kept a tight hold of it, I decorated with simple edible sugar flowers on the top, makes it look elegant.

Allow the cake to set well and chill at least over night.

 

It is a divine cake with a really nice rich touch of white Chocolate, you cannot eat a whole big piece of it, so save it for the next day and then enjoy with your coffe or tea : )

 

Do give it a try, it’s not a daily eat cake, but well surely some ones birthday is knocking on your door in the next weeks or months :)

                                                        (click on the pic for a larger Image)

 

   

**Raffaello Gateau**

This Snow-White Gateau is a dream for all coconut lovers like I am ; if you are one of them then it is the ultimate Gateau for you :)

This time I did not make the typical Zarda for Eid as I wanted something different something creamy something exactly like this : )

 

You can make it for your loved ones on their special day and believe me they will ask for it again and again.

The cake batter I used here is the one I make for the Victoria Sponge Cake, it is important that the sponge is soft and thin and airy, you can follow this link on my site here:

Use the round form for it so you get a lovely grand outcome.

http://www.raniazohaib.com/2013/07/victoria-sponge-cake.html

This is how it should Look

 

Now we need to know the things for the layering and the topping.

I use a lot of things for layers and fillings, I just think what would taste good and then I act accordingly.

I do not fill the layers with cream as it gets too heavy, but well this doesn’t mean that it won’t be heavy with the things I have used in it, you will realize after reading the ingredients :D

 

Okay here it goes;

25-30 Raffaello balls

(It’s important that you keep 7-8 Raffaellos in the fridge!!)

1 tin of condensed milk

1 tub of cream Fraiche or heavy sour cream

200 grams of Apricot cream/paste/jam

100-150 desiccated coconut

250 ml whipping cream

1 tbs soft butter

1 sachet of cream stabilizer

 

It is better if all things are prepared ahead, I always start after I have set and laid all out, so I can use them one after the other when I have my hands in the making of the cake.

First of all bake the cake and let it cool down completely, I made It a day before

Then cut the cake either in two or three parts as you wish, I used the easy cake wire, for the even cutting

Separate all layers and place on flat plates

Beat the cream Fraiche slightly with a whisk, mix in the condense milk and let aside

Now open the wrappers of at least 20-22 Raffaellos and put in a nylon bag, now roll over with the rolling pin or crush them gently with the wooden hammer we use to flatten the steak

 

The cream will spread in the bag, never mind, I left some almonds half crushed as i like the crunchy bites ; )

Now mix these crushed Raffaellos in the cream/condense milk together into a smooth cream

Empty the Apricot paste/ jelly in a bowl and whisk smooth

Now spread the condense milk mixture on the first piece of cake, let it sink in the cake, wait 1-2 minutes and then spread the apricot paste/jam on it

Carefully lay the second cake piece on it and repeat the same procedure : condense milk, apricot cream, 1-2 rest time

Now cover the last part, and now just spread the apricot cream on it.

 

Now whisk the whipping cream, add the stabilizer, whisk till it is firm, gently mix in the soft butter and whisk on a low speed so all forms a smooth creamy mixture

Now you can cover the whole cake with this cream starting from the top, to the sides round around

Sprinkle the coconut on the top, then cover all sides.

Now take the rest Raffaellos from the fridge and cut them in halves using a good sharp knife so they don’t break.

Now place them on the top, as many as you like : )

Keep the cake over night COVERED in the fridge, so that it does not absorb the smells of all the other foodstuffs kept in there.

 

The ultra delicious Snow-White dream is ready to serve

Enjoy baking and eating it and I’ll wait for your feedbacks : )

We can make the Ferrero Rocher and the Ferrero Küssen cake the very same way.

Eid's Hearty Dinner * Stir-Fried Beef topped with Grilled Vegetable*

 

I am so not amused at the outcome of the pictures but well, the outcome of the dish was so extreme tasty that i just ignored and uploaded this here specially for you all who requested  for the quick recipe :D

 I think i will just write down in the fast mode simple yet understandable so you can set your Hands on it may be today or tomorrow :)

 

 

It is just a work of some hours.... lolz kidding:P........ of some 100 minutes

You have to marinate it overnight that is important to gain the real spicy taste with is to be felt in each fiber :)

Okay will just jot down under each Picture so you can follow quickly, i did not take any while i was marinating but i am sure you'll do it with left !

I buy the Beef Fillet for this and have it cut in thin slices and then cut them into fine stripes myself, just flatten them very slightly with the wooden meat hammer

So you need to roast these spices slightly, you can taste and add more or reduce accordingly

I just add and check, i don’t measure any more, but i am doing it since Long so i  feel it, but anyone trying to cook for the first time please do add spoon wise and Keep checking to avoid any blunder.

1 kg Beef Fillet

 

The spices:

1 ½ tsp salt

1 ½ tsp red chili flakes

1 tsp garam masala

1 ½ tsp cumin powder

¼ tsp turmeric

1 tsp almond powder (grinded)

½ tsp seasam powder (grinded)

Roast all these and keep to aside to cool down

1 ½ tsp fresh grated garlic

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

2-3 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

300 gram yoghurt

2 tbs chili garlic sauce

¼ cup oil

I also sprinkled some drops of hot sauce :)

Now mix all these in the yoghurt + oil into a paste form and then marinate the meat well and thoroughly

Next day, heat ¼ cup oil and add this marinated meat to it and first cook on a high heat till all opens up and the yoghurt seems watery, then lower the flame and cook around 20 minutes

DON’T overcook as fillet is done fast.

Dry the excess water till it seems like nice thick gravy as you see in the Picture

 

Now you need to prepare the Vegetable

You need

2 carrots

4-5 green chilies

2 Zucchinis

1 green paprika

1 red paprika

2 red onions

10 cherry tomatoes

Wash all and dry them well

Now cut all in fine slices length wise not circles!

 

Take a baking try, spry some oil on it and place all the vegetables on it

Now sprinkle salt black pepper from the mill, some red chili flakes, few drops of garlic oil, I sprinkled some Italian herbs, like rosemary and thyme and some rock salt

Now mix al well with both hands and spread all well

First cook all these in a preheated oven for 15 minutes, the Veg will get half done

Now switch on the grill on 200° C and place the tray directly under it and let all grill, turn all vegetable once so all gets roasted.

In the mean while cook the Basmati rice and drain and let aside

Now take another baking tray, place the rice,first, spread the Stir-Fried beef and top with the Veg and once again let it heat up in the oven for 10 minutes

 

 

 

So now you will see all drooling around you as you take the tray out of the oven: D

It is indescribable how yummy it is I tell you, I have made it the third time now, I serve it with just the tomato chutney and salad, you don’t need anything else, just enjoy the  divine taste and remember me while eating it and share your pictures, I’d be so glad to see them :)

 

 

 

*Kul A'aam Wantum Bakhair* Eid-Ul-Azha Mabrook :)

(All Pictures are courtesy Google)

 

A very very blessed Eid-ul-Azha to all my Family and Friends and all my Muslim Readers around the Globe. May you all be showered with love and happiness and HIS Blessings Ameen

 

No matter far or near, you are in my heart and thoughts, wish you a day full of peace and joy Ameen:)

 

 

Greeting in Urdu for all my loved ones :)