Sugarworks

Sugarworks or Sugar Sculpture is really where you get your creativity juices flowing.  One really needs to get the techniques right first though - cast sugar, pulled sugar, straw sugar and blown sugar. Rock Sugar, Pressed Sugar, Spun Sugar and Pastillage are also in the list. It really takes time and lots of patience to do this...trust me on this as I cursed a few times under my breath in my sugarwork classes. If you have watched Kings of Pastry, you will know that it gets really emotional too. My heart broke when I watch the beautiful sugar piece broke and shattered and I really salute the Chef who continued finishing his art piece....yes siree!!!

Cast Sugar is the easiest as you just need to pour the sugar into mold or you can even do free hand.  You use this as a base. Here's a piece which was made from cast sugar only.

In the 2nd week, we made Pulled Sugar in class. Once the sugar is cooked, we had to pour it onto the silpat mat and we had to fold, twist and pull. This traps air and gives it a fantastic shine.  Mind you, its really hot and we had to rest our hands on the bench after 2-3 twists and pulls. We can make ribbons, flowers, leaves, etc with pulled sugar.  Here's a piece which was made from Cast Sugar (base) and Pulled Sugar.

In the 3rd & 4th week, we learnt Straw Sugar and Blown Sugar.  We made Straw Sugar from the Pulled Sugar. As the name stated, its sugar that looks like straw. You can even use it as a straw and drink from it...tried it and it worked..ha!ha!  As for blown sugar, you have to take a piece of Pulled Sugar and place it onto the tip of the bronze pipe which is attached to a hand pump. You really have to pump it slowly or it will burst and slowly shape it into anything you want. Here's two photos of Straw Sugar and Blown Sugar.

So...here's the few basic techniques and once you have mastered these techniques, you can create a wonderful sugar sculpture. It seems that sugar sculptures are becoming more and more popular and maybe, just maybe I will find it on a wedding cake one of these days.

A Family Of Four in a Purple Hot Tub Cake

Boy oh boy...I was excited and nervous when one of my buddies requested for a 3D cake. She said that it must be a purple hot tub, it must have her whole family in it, etc, etc, etc. Its just for a small family gathering, nothing big. She gave me all the details and here is what I came out with.  I was nervous, anxious, etc, etc, etc....coz I do not want to spoil her special day.  When she saw the cake, she hugged me...phew!!!  All good!!!  Here's the cake I made for her.

Another order coming in...cupcakes this time!!! All ready to B A K E and D E C O R A T E !!!

Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice) and Nyonya Laksa

One of the weekends, we decided to invite some friends over to catch-up, chit-chat... the request were nasi lemak and nyonya laksa.  Its a little odd but since everyone wanted both, we decided to tickle their tastebuds which will remind them of their childhood days in their motherlands.  It was a hit..wohoo!! Everything was finished....as my DH puts it, its all licked clean..ha!ha!

Nasi Lemak with Tumeric Fried Chicken Wings, Fried Fishballs, Fried Ikan Bilis, Fried Eggs, Sambal Kangkung and Chilli Sambal

Nyonya Laksa

We really had lots of fun and hope to do it again soon too!!!

Fried Beancurd Puffs with Peanut Sauce

My DH has been craving for tauhu goreng (fried beancurd puffs with peanut sauce) and finally, we got all the stuff and made it as quickly as we could...ha!ha!  This can be eaten as a starter, a snack or a dessert.  Here's a photo of it before it vanishes...

Yummy!!! Sedap!!! Delicious!

3D Police Car and Police Man Cake

My prince has been changing his mind....firstly it was Ben10 and then he changed it to KungFu Panda 2. Within a few days, he wanted a Jeep and just few days before his birthday, he wanted a Police Car and a Police Man cake. Since my prince prefers plain sponge cake, I decided to bake vanilla sponge cake, cover it with whipped cream and sugarpaste.  Here's the end result of it.

I am so happy that my prince was over the moon...he recognized the car, the uniform and the whole works of it...wohoo!!!

Simple Strawberry Sponge Birthday Cake

I have been busy spring cleaning and other stuff. After making the Dora 3D cake for my princess, I was making another cake for my darling neighbour's birthday.  I know she loves roses but thank goodness I found out that there will be roses on her birthday cake at the party. Therefore, I decided to "KISS" and came out with a layered sponge cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.  Here's the end product of this simple cake.  I am so happy that my sweet neighbour was so happy and delighted.

Till next time....a 3D police and car cake for my prince!!!

Cupcakes....

I have been making cupcakes for friends and relatives for awhile now and just the pass 2 weeks, 2 of my cousins asked me to make 3 dozens each for their departmental party or something. The first 3 dozens was a flower theme. She wanted something that is simple, nice, sweet and with flowers.  So, I came out with a few designs and she wanted several designs in her 3 dozens.  Here's a photo which my other half managed to snap.

For my second 3 dozens, it was to the theme of "Rough Sea of Love".  Made 2 different designs and here's what my other cousin picked.  Here's a photo of the cupcakes.

Received phone calls from my cousins and the verdict - THEY LOVED IT!!! Wohoo!!!  I got another order from her colleague... :)