No-Bake Neapolitan Cheesecake

Hey, hey, hey! I'm back to blogging!

Or at least I'm trying to :) I've been inactive for weeks because I have a lot in my plate: work, trips with friends, and money budgeting. Adulting is hard. No one told me that in college. -_-

But despite my battle with time and bills, I am enjoying it! What I do not enjoy, however, is how fast-paced our generation can be. Now, everyone wants everything in a snap. It's like everyone is expecting you to be on top at your early to mid 20s - and if you miss that time frame, it's too late to succeed. Who made that freakin' time frame??

And that affected my blogging. I started this food blog even without a formal background in cooking because I love and want to bake, to take photos, and to write. I was happy. I know my blog (still) isn't the prettiest, but at least I'm documenting (the best of) my baking adventures.

And then I learned that I can earn from blogging, because I saw that others can. And I was thinking, that this could be my way to succeed in life early! That I can earn a lot at home just by blogging. So I worked harder for better content and tried to expose my posts more - and then I let it consume me to the point that I forgot to have fun on the process. I got frustrated because I think that my growth is too slow, because I'm still not earning from this blog after my first post in December 2014. Baking is an expensive hobby, and I just keep on spending without anything in return. So unconsciously, I stopped.

But then the other day, someone talked to me about his passion for music. How he and his friend is willing to invest thousands of money (literally) in music, and then share it underground to real music enthusiasts with no money in return. Because earning from passion is just a bonus - the real return there is the fulfillment of doing what you love.

Right on the next day after that talk, I made this No-Bake Neapolitan Cheesecake. Because life is full of colors, and mixed with different flavors. It can be easy if you choose it to be (just like choosing baked vs no-bake), and needs to invest some time on (because baking in general needs time!). I am now writing this post with a refreshed outlook: that I am doing this because I love to bake, and I want others to spark their inner-baking diva as well! :) If I do earn from this in the future, then His will be done. But for now, I want to share my passion with fellow passionate bakers.

So I know that this has been a lengthy post already, and I have to get to the cake:

In the original recipe, it called for a 9" springform pan. I opted for 8", just because it is prettier in a photo. Seriously. So as a result, the supposedly 3rd layer of cheesecake - or the vanilla layer - became a layer of whipped cream. If I continued with another layer of cheesecake, this cake would've been a tower already! But at least I managed to do the aesthetic of a Neapolitan dessert - a chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla layer.

Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust

• 1 1/2 cups Graham Crackers, crushed
• 1/4 cup Butter

Chocolate Cheesecake

• 1 cup (8 oz) Cream Cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 3/4 cup Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 cup Whipped Cream

Strawberry Cheesecake

• 1 cup (8 oz) Cream Cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 tbsp Strawberry extract (I used McCormick)
• 1 cup Whipped Cream

Vanilla Whipped Cream

• 1 cup Whipped Cream
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup Sugar* (optional)

Instructions
Prepare crust:

1. Crush graham biscuits using a food processor, or place it in a ziplock back and press using a rolling pin until it turns into fine crumbs. 
2. Melt butter, and mix into crushed grahams. 
3. Press the mixture firmly on the bottom and sides of an 8" springform pan. 

Chocolate Cheesecake Layer:

1. Melt chocolate in a microwave for 30 seconds. If lumps are still present, continue to heat it in 10 seconds intervals until it is smooth. Cool chocolate for 10 minutes. 
2. In another bowl, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Slowly add in sugar, then continue beating until sugar is dissolved. Beat in melted chocolate. 
3. Fold in whipped cream using a spatula.  
4. Pour mixture on prepared springform pan. Place pan in the freezer.

Strawberry Cheesecake Layer:

1. Whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Slowly add in sugar, then continue beating until sugar is dissolved. Add in strawberry extract, then continue beating mixture until it is evenly distributed.
2. Fold in whipped cream using a spatula.  
3. Pour mixture on prepared springform pan as the second layer. Place pan in the freezer.

Vanilla Whipped Cream:

1. Whip whipped cream on high for 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. If desired, you may slowly beat in sugar. I opted not to because the brand of whipped cream I use is already sweet on its own.
2. Pipe whipped cream on top of the strawberry layer. Or if you prefer a rustic look, drop a cup of whipped cream on top and spread freely using an icing spatula or spoon.  

Makes 1 8" cake.

Recipe adapted from iambaker.

Take a step back from your busy life, and give some time doing what you really love <3

Chocolate Cherry Cake | Cherry Buttercream Recipe

There's usually no occasion when I bake anything. And when there is an occasion, I either run out of time or get lazy to bake anything!

Anything with cherries make the dessert fancy. So when I brought this over to my family's regular Sunday dinner at my grandparents' house, everyone kept asking what's the occasion. My cousin was the 3rd person to ask in less than 10 minutes, so I told her that it's for her wedding anniversary. She blushed and said thank you. You know, just keeping up with my joke.

When it was time to serve the cake, I learned that it was my cousin's wedding anniversary!!

I bring desserts in like 1 out of 4 Sundays a month (used to be more frequent before I got an office job) -- just lucky enough to bring it on the right day!

The real reason I made this cake was because my dad bought 3 jars of maraschino cherries, and they were about to expire. Very thoughtful, eh? :)) 

I've been meaning to make a cake for a long time already. I just keep on passing the idea because (1) I get lazy and (2) I don't have time! :( But if you know that an ingredient is about to expire, trust me, you make time for baking. 

And it's a tasty push! I was looking into making a black forest cake, but I don't have whipped cream. Yes, it's me again being completely lazy to go out and buy one. Then I got frustrated. Then I cried while looking at Pinterest photos of black forest cakes, thinking how close I was yet so far. I already made the chocolate cake layer!! But whipped cream. And laziness. :(

Then I used this little head of mine and thought of what can I substitute whipped cream with. I thought about making whipped buttercream, and it felt like that works! 

And since the opportunity was already there, why not make the most out of the 3 jars by making cherry buttercream instead?  

I love how natural this buttercream tastes. I usually use food flavoring to add a fruity taste on my frosting, but the maraschino cherry juice is a good flavoring agent!

Cherry Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1 cup Butter (softened)
• 6-7 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 tbsp Vanilla
• 6 tbsp Maraschino Cherry juice (approximate)
• Pinch of Salt

Instructions

1. Using an electric mixer, whisk butter on medium-high until it lightens in color.
2. Mix in vanilla and salt.
3. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Mix on medium speed. Add a tablespoon of cherry juice in between cups of sugar to soften the frosting.
4. Mix to desired consistency.

Frosts 1 8" cake with 2 layers.

Recipe adapted from Frost and Serve.

I added chopped cherries and mixed it to 1 cup of buttercream that I spread on the middle layer. I actually regret that I thought about this after baking the chocolate layer, but I could have mixed some chopped cherries on the batter before baking it for a more fruity surprise! Maybe you could try it for me and tell me how it goes? :)

Devil's Oreo Cheesecake Cake Recipe

It's my dad's birthday!

For some reason, I find it hard to decide a flavor for a guy. While the safest option you could choose is chocolate cake, I hesitated at first because I already made a Devil's Food Cake for my dad once. To play it safe, I asked him for any requests. And guess what? It was still Devil's Food Cake!

I don't think I've shared it with you before, but I'm daddy's little princess. So I want the best cake for him on his birthday. I decided to an extra something on his birthday cake - an Oreo Cheesecake layer.

I've heard about how Cheesecake Cakes take extra time and effort to make. Well, it does. But it's actually worth it! I made the cheesecake layer the morning before, froze it the whole afternoon, baked the Devil's Food cake layers that evening, then arranged the cake that morning.

I haven't tried Cheesecake Cakes before. And boy, am I glad to try it now! The creamy texture of the cheesecake is a wonderful mix with that rich chocolate layer. This could stand alone even without a frosting, so hooray to naked cakes!

But everything is more fun with frosting, right?

Devil's Oreo Cheesecake Cake

Ingredients

• 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• 9 pcs Oreos (chopped)
• 1/2 cup + 2 cups Sugar
• 2 pcs + 2 pcs Eggs
• 1 3/4 cups Flour
• 3/4 cups Cocoa Powder
• 2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 1/2 cup Oil (I use cooking oil)
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup Freshly Brewed Hot Coffee

Instructions

For Oreo Cheesecake Layer:

1. Cream together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well in between.
3. Pour mixture into an 8" springform pan lined with parchment paper on bottom and sides. Cover the bottom and sides of the pan with aluminum foil, and place the pan on a roasting pan with boiling water.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.Let the cake cool before removing in the oven to avoid cracks.
5. Freeze overnight.

For Devil's Food Cake Layer:

1. Sift the flour, (2 cups) sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Mix with a whisk until combined.
2. In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Fold in wet ingredients to dry.
4. Pour in coffee and stir with a spatula until combined.
5. Pour batter into preheated pans. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 30 mins.

Assembling Cake

1. Assemble the cake by leveling the Devil's Food cake layers first.
2. Line a thin layer of frosting on the bottom layer before placing the cheesecake layer.
3. Spread another thin layer of frosting on top of the cheesecake layer before placing top layer of cake.
4. Frost the cake.

I give credit to where I get my recipes from; but this Devil's Food Cake has been on my recipe list for so long that I don't remember where I got it :( Credits to the real author!

I was freaked out at first that the cheesecake layer might be rock solid after I assemble everything. But just give it some time to thaw, and it will be fine! I didn't leave mine at room temperature - I placed the cake on the fridge until it was ready to serve. The cheesecake layer was creamy and heavenly!

Now, on to the frosting: back when I wrote the post for this 7 Minute Frosting, I liked how it tastes like Marshmallows and how it hardens after hours. I still like the frosting, but I was really aiming for a spiky effect, but this frosting won't hold it's shape 'cause it's still a bit runny. :( And while I like that the frosting hardens, be warned that this isn't good when the cake is already more than two days in the fridge. It hardens and just falls off when you cut it! I would really try to improve on this...

Caramel Cheesecake Recipe

I think I have already established my love for cheesecake.

I was thinking of other flavors that reminds me of Valentines aside from red velvet. I think I have way too many red velvet posts for now, so let me add other flavors to my blog.

Chocolate came to my mind - but then again, it's a classic flavor. It can be a special cake like my moist cake, but I'm thinking of something more related to Valentines.

Then I remembered Caramel! I've always loved caramel-filled chocolates, so why not dedicate a whole cake to caramel?

But I don't want to it be super sweet. As much as I love chocolate + buttercream + caramel separately, putting them all together in one cake sounds like a toothache. So the sour taste of cheesecake contrasting to the sweet flavor of caramel sounds perfect.

I admit - this isn't the prettiest cake I've ever made. I used as little graham crust as I can get away with, and I didn't bake it in a water bath (which resulted to a cracked top). But taste wise? It's amazing!

Another confession: I (secretly) call this "poor-man's cheesecake". I didn't use sour cream or heavy whipping cream for this recipe, used as little graham crackers as I can, and used Kraft caramel candies. But in the end, it doesn't taste short on flavor! It's a perfect go-to cheesecake recipe.

Ingredients
For cheesecake and garnish:

• 12 oz cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Kraft caramel candies, diced into 4 parts/cube
• 2 pcs eggs
• approx. 1/4 cup melted caramel*

For crust:

• 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190C
2. Prepare crust. Mix in crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of an 8" springform pan.
3. Beat cream cheese until soft. Mix in sugar, and add eggs one at a time. Mixture should be runny.
4. Pour mixture into crust. 
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden and showing deep cracks. Cool for 2 hours.
6. Refrigerate cake for 1 hour to overnight.
7. Top with melted caramel. If you want to use candy caramels, simply melt 12 pcs of Kraft caramel candies in a double broiler, together with approximately 6 tsps of milk or water. You may add more liquid if you prefer it to be more runny.

Recipe adapted from WikiHow. 

Just like in my Peanut Butter Cheesecake, my brother had a comment about this cake. He said it's "too sweet". But when I tried it myself, the sweetness was just okay. I think there's something wrong with his taste buds!

Tell me what you think if you'll try this cake! ;)

Red Velvet & Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

It’s the season of love! So what better way to celebrate it than red velvet desserts??

Okay, fine; I make red velvet any time of the year. (Actually, I have an addiction to Red Velvet. So I’m using Valentine’s season as an excuse to make more Red Velvet desserts. #RealTalk) But why limit this amazing dessert to Valentines or Christmas only? Let’s celebrate red velvet all year round!

But seriously, I think there’s something wrong with me: I tend to celebrate the most mondane days vs special occassions. Like Christmas. Here in the Philippines, the festive spirit starts as early as September. But all -ber months long, I wasn’t prepared for Christmas! I only felt the season kick in the day after Christmas. It sucks – getting to feel Christmas when it’s almost over. 

So this year, I made a silent vow to myself to get into the season early. And I’m not just talking about Christmas – it includes Valentines and Summer! Thus, it explains this early Valentines post. ;)

Why cookies? Because it’s easy! I’ve been busy lately with work. Who knew that the retail industry is a busy work place to be in after Christmas season? They should’ve warned me. Nevertheless, I still want to bake. I missed it after (unintentionally) being on hiatus over the season.

I love how these cookies are a bit more special than the classic cookies. I like how the cheesecake  “thumbprint” adds a contrast to the red velvet cookie which looks like a pretty crinkle covered in sanding sugar instead of the classic powdered sugar. Honestly, the cookie itself is a bit dry. I guess it’s because you’ll bake it for a total of 22 minutes (though in lower temp). But I actually like it because it almost resembles the texture of graham cracker crust on a cheesecake. So these technically tastes like bite-size cheesecake in red velvet cookie crust! H-E-A-V-E-N!

I must warn you: these are addictive! I rarely snack on the desserts I bake, but I was already snacking on these even before the 3rd batch were out of the oven! I already stored half away to prevent myself from eating everything. We’re talking about red velvet and cheesecake here, guys. #shameless

Ingredients:
Red Velvet Cookies

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 4 tsp red food coloring
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Cheesecake Filling

• 1/2 cup (4 oz) cream cheese (softened)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 150C. 
2. Beat together butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Mix in flour, food coloring, and cocoa powder until well blended. Soft dough will form.
3. Pour sugar in a flat plate. Scoop a teaspoon of the mixture and roll into sugar until well coated. Place in baking pan topped with silicon mat or parchment paper.Using a rounded 1 tsp measuring spoon, make a small well in the center. 
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. While baking, prepare the cheesecake filling by beating together cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Transfer mixture in a piping bag snipped at the tip (or place a plain, round piping tip)
6. Once cookies are done, redo the well to ensure it's still deep enough for the cheesecake filling. Pipe filling just until it's the same level with the cookie.
7. Bake for an additional 12 minutes, until filling is set.

Recipe from Something Swanky.

Notes for success:

In the original recipe, it says that you can use the extra egg whites to use as egg wash instead of rolling the cookies on sugar. I actually prefer the extra texture (and slight sweetness) the sanding sugar brings!

Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe

I am finally back!

I know I haven't written in a while, especially through the time of the year where food bloggers go crazy over Christmas-themed recipes. Well, I failed on that point.

I recently started working in an office, and I didn't expect that it will consume a lot of my time. But I still bake almost every other night but it leaves me no time to take photos, to edit it, to make a write up, and to research more recipes. And seriously, I miss it! Not a week passed without me itching to make a post. But aside from time-constraints, my internet connection has been failing me miserably. :( #firstworldproblems

Anywoo, let's kick off the year with something easy to do, yet very sophisticated -- chocolate mousse cake! There's this dense, moist chocolate cake on the bottom layer (which is honestly delicious by itself), the amazingly soft, creamy, and rich chocolate mouse middle layer, and the unmistakable whipped cream layer on top! Layers of chocolate goodness wrapped in one cake!

What inspired me to do this cake is the famous chocolate mousse cake from a local bakeshop. Chocolate mousse quite popular here. It's even bundled as the Christmas cake for a KFC bucket meal! And I thought, I have made a red velvet mousse cake before, why not make the classic chocolate version?

When I was starting to learn how to bake, almost all my creations were "too" sweet. Well for me, the definition of "sweet" is subjective - like it may be just right for me, tooth-aching sweet for some, and a little bland for the others. I tend to cut down the sweetness anyway since my family ain't a big fan of it. But in this cake, I think my family and I finally agreed that this is the perfect level of sweetness!

This cake may seem time consuming, but it's actually just like building a regular cake - if not faster. Treat the chocolate mousse like frosting; make it while the chocolate cake is baking. This has been my go-to cake recently (not to mention our Christmas cake as well) because it cuts down the decorating time. All you have to do is prepare layers, pour chocolate mousse after cake is cooled, spread whipped cream after chocolate mousse has been refrigerated for a while, and sprinkle chocolate jimmies (or chips, whatever you prefer!).

Ingredients (for chocolate mousse layer)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 1/2 tbsp hot water
3.5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cups cold heavy whipping cream
*1/2 tbsp granulated sugar*

(Whipped cream layer)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
*1/4 cup granulated sugar*

Instructions

1. Bake chocolate cake in an 8" springform pan. Use only 1/3 of the quantity of the ingredients, or use the remaining batter for cupcakes or another cake. Set aside and let it cool.
2. Dissolve cocoa powder with hot water in a small bowl, set aside.
3. Whip the heavy whipping cream using a mixer in medium speed until it begins to thicken, approximately half a minute. Then, increase the speed to medium-high to high and whip until soft peaks form. This will take another 15-60 seconds.
4. Using a microwave safe bowl, melt the finely chopped chocolate for 20 seconds. Stir the chocolate until it becomes creamy. If it isn't completely melted yet, return to microwave and heat in 10 second intervals until it is completely creamy when stirred. Let cool for around 2-5 minutes. 
5. Whisk cocoa powder mixture into melted chocolate. Fold in the chocolate mixture to whipped cream, being gentle enough not to deflate the cream.
6. Pour the chocolate mousse over the cooled chocolate cake base layer (still in the pan), then refrigerate for 30 minutes-1 hour. 
7. Whip the cold heavy whipping cream in medium-high for 1 minute, until the cream doubles in volume. 
8. Simply pour the whipped cream over the cake (still in the pan), or take out the chocolate cake-chocolate mousse layers out of the springform pan first before piping the cream in tall curled dollops (like what I did in the photo). Or pour out a thin layer of the whipping cream before piping all the cream. 

Makes one 8" cake. 

Recipe adapted from Brown Eyed Baker.

Notes for success

• The amount of sugar you'll use for the chocolate mousse and whipping cream depends on the sweetness of your chosen brand, so play around with sugar by adding little by little until you get your desired taste. The brand I use is already sweet by itself, so I omit the sugar.
• To get a cleaner cut between layers (unlike mine), level your cake first. Then, make sure to level the choco mousse layer as well. When pulling it out the pan, blow dry the sides of the pan two to three times just to let the outer layer pull away from the pan. Slowly pull out the springform pan.