While I have never actually found a liking for pineapple tarts, my mum is a huge fan. And so, we would have little bottles of it from various sources, usually lovingly made by friends and relatives. According to my mum’s standards, the store-bought ones tend to be not up to par, be it due to the lack of pineapple jam or an overly thick cookie crust.

This Chinese New Year, PrimaDéli Singapore has three types of pineapple tarts available, of which we have tried two. And my mum approves! That is why you’re reading about it here.

Divine pineapple tarts
S$14.80 for a tin (16 pieces)

The Divine pineapple tarts are bite-sized tarts that come in a tin of 16. The pastry skin is thin with a wonderful buttery flavour, encasing an ample amount of moist pineapple pulp. It does taste pretty good even to a non-pineapple fan like me.

Fortune pineapple tarts
S$1.60 each

For an extra cute factor, the Fortune pineapple tarts are made in the shape of pineapples, packed in red drawstring organza bags. Even though these taste pretty much the same as the Divine tarts, I find myself enjoying them more because they look so good. Why, haven’t you heard? The first bite is taken with the eye! These pineapple-shaped tarts are obviously dressed to impress, and will make good gifts.

What are your must-have Chinese New Year goodies? Share with us in the comments!

PrimaDéli ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6276 3333 | Website

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

MetroCakes has such a knack for making cupcakes filled with cuteness and deliciousness for any occasion. Their Chinese New Year cupcakes for 2012 feature the most adorable little red dragon, spring blossoms and mandarin oranges, guaranteed to elicit plenty of oohs and ahhs from your family.

And the great news is that we have a few sets to give away to 3 lucky Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Chinese New Year Cupcakes Giveaway!

Spring Blossoms cupcakes from MetroCakes

There are 3x sets of 9 Spring Blossoms cupcakes (worth S$49.90 a set) up for grabs. MetroCakes would deliver these seasonal delights right to your doorstep!

1. This contest is only open to members of the Sparklette and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Bonus points if you decide to also “Like” Sparklette Studio our web design company.)

   
   

2. To participate, simply do both the following things:
   • “Like” the MetroCakes Lunar New Year Collection 2012 album on Facebook.
   • Leave a comment here using your Facebook name.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on January 18, 2012 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and MetroCakes (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcake-giveaway/ | 89 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 89 http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:30:35 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1275 I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to MetroCakes cupcakes. Each time the bakery launches a new festive collection, I will be bouncing in my seat with excitement as I eagerly click over to their website. Just check out what they have done this Chinese New Year. Can you resist such cuteness?

Spring Blossoms
S$49.90 for 9 / S$68.90 for 16
Rating:

This being the Year of the Dragon, the centrepiece of these beautiful cupcakes is a red fiery dragon.

Red the Dragon comes complete with black beady eyes and fearsome white scales down his back. Doesn’t he look like he’s filled with awesomeness? Well, just wait ’til he meets… The Cat!

Not so tough now, are we? Snowy the Cat eyes Red the Dragon suspiciously. ‘Sup?

Last Lunar New Year, MetroCakes had cupcakes with mandarin oranges, fire crackers, red packets, gold coins and rabbits. I’m thrilled that the mini mandarin oranges have made a return. They’re adorable and such a staple at this time of the year.

Because these cute decorations look too good to eat, I painted clear nail varnish over the oranges and placed them on my car dashboard for the whole of last Chinese New Year. This time round, I am planning to do the same with Red the Dragon.

The cupcakes featuring pink spring blossoms are linked together at the branches, which I find an interesting touch.

Apart from looking lovely, the cupcakes taste delicious too. They are in green tea flavour. Upon opening the cake box, the sweetest scent wafts into your nose. The fondant layer in such 3D cakes tends to be very sweet, but in this case, the green tea cake actually tastes divine with the fondant.

If you like, you can try pairing the cupcakes with scented tea. Allerines Tea would be just perfect for a quaint afternoon tea and cupcake session. The good news is that MetroCakes has a number of Allerines teas available as add-ons. That means that you can place your order online, and have all the cupcakes and tea delivered right to your doorstep conveniently.

Enjoy!

What are the most amazing cakes you have ever eaten? Share with us in the comments!

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http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-chinese-new-year-cupcakes/ | 6 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Frosty the Snowman cake with Snowy the Ragdoll cat

Frosty is presented on a bed of white frosting sprinkled with colourful stars. He is so undeniably cute, it took us a long time before we finally mustered the will to sink a knife in him (I know!).

Frosty Snowman (1kg)
S$50

Underneath the fluffy white icing, Frosty is a blackforest cake at heart. He is filled with sweet dark cherries, and layers of airy chocolate sponge and chocolate cream. Overall, the cake is delicious, neither too sweet nor heavy on the palate. A real treat for the family at Christmas!

Last day of order is December 21, 2011.

Where would you be dining this festive season? Share with us in the comments!

PrimaDéli ( Halal certified)
Tel: +65 6276 3333 | Website

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/primadeli-christmas-cake/ | 4 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Read on to find out who the 6 lucky winners are.

Christmas Blessings cupcakes from MetroCakes

Winners

• Melvin Kwan
• Guilian
• Melinda Ng
• Tan Jiaqi
• Mark Lim
• Shujuan Ang

Congratulations to all winners! You will be contacted at your email.

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

Thanks to everyone that took part in this giveaway. We frequently hold contests to give out wonderful prizes such as these. To ensure that you never miss out on any, you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone).

About MetroCakes

MetroCakes designs and bakes 3D cakes as well as mini cakes. The bakery, based in Kampong Glam, offers home delivery and makes cakes for various occasions, including weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-christmas-cake-winners/ | 2 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

‘Tis the season for giving! And what is more fitting at Christmas than giving away adorable Christmasy cupcakes and log cakes? MetroCakes has graciously provided 3 log cakes and 3 sets of cupcakes to be given away to 6 lucky Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Read on to find out how you can win these delicious cakes to celebrate at Christmas.

Christmas Cakes Giveaway!

Winter Reverie log cake from MetroCakes

There are 3x 500g log cakes (worth S$44.90 each) and 3x sets of 9 cupcakes (worth S$49.90 a set) up for grabs. MetroCakes would deliver these seasonal delights right to your doorstep!

1. This giveaway is only open to members of the Sparklette Studio and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. To participate, simply do both the following things:
   • “Like” the MetroCakes Christmas album on Facebook.
   • Leave a comment here using your Facebook name.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on December 14, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is open only to people who are based in Singapore.
• The winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Please note that all comments are moderated. Hence your comment may not show up right away.
• Please note that participants must follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) to be eligible for the prize.
• The winners will be announced in a separate post and you are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.
• Terms and conditions apply.
  1. This giveaway is organised by Sparklette and MetroCakes (hereinafter known as “The Organisers”).
  2. The Organisers reserve all rights to substitute the publicised prizes with other prizes of similar commercial value at their sole discretions.
  3. The Organisers’ decision on all matters relating to this giveaway is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
  4. The Organisers reserve the right to amend the giveaway mechanics and terms and conditions without prior notification.
  5. Any incomplete, inaccurate and/or false particulars submitted will void the entry and hence be ineligible for any prizes.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-christmas-cake-giveaway/ | 133 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

We have featured MetroCakes a number of times before. Their speciality certainly lies in the aesthetics department, especially when it comes to festive creations. An added bonus is that you can enjoy the convenience of ordering online and have the cakes delivered to your home.

Christmas cupcakes

The Christmas Blessings cupcakes take on strawberry and chocolate flavours. Housed in a delicate white and brown striped holder, each cupcake is embellished with colourful seasonal icons like candy canes, Christmas trees and snowflakes placed on a blue/white weave-pattern base.

Christmas Blessings
Set of 9 – S$49.90
Set of 16 – S$68.90
Rating:

Christmas log cakes

As for the timeless log cakes, they are available in two flavours.

Yuletide Nostalgia
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

The classic chocolate Yuletide Nostalgia comprises layers of chocolate ganache and chocolate sponge layers, with a dash of crushed hazelnuts bits. The chocolate is added with a generous hand and tastes satisfyingly rich, although it does get positively cloying after a while.

Winter Reverie
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

My favourite Christmas creation by MetroCakes this year is the gorgeous Winter Reverie. It is slathered with white whipping cream, with a filling of blueberry and vanilla sponge. A treat for both eyes and mouth!

Sparklette Giveaway!

We’re giving away 3 log cakes and 3 sets of cupcakes for Christmas! Check out the contest details.

Where are you getting your log cakes this Christmas? Do you prefer the traditional chocolate log cake or the modern ones with innovative flavours? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-christmas-cakes/ | 1 comment

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 1 http://sparklette.net/food/emicakes-eggless-cakes/ http://sparklette.net/food/emicakes-eggless-cakes/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:09:59 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1222 Now “eggless” is usually synonymous with less-than-delicious cakes, but this time, Emicakes‘ range of eggless cakes blew us all away.

The eggless cakes are made from the egg substitute whey protein, said to be suitable for certain vegetarians. Even for a non-vegetarian like myself, I really enjoy these conveniently packed cake cubes and can hardly tell them apart from regular cakes.

Eggless cubes
S$2 each
Rating:

Available in 8 flavours — D24 durian, chocolate, mocha, choco blueberry, mango, strawberry, tiramisu and oreomisu — the cakes are priced at a very reasonable S$2 each. My personal favourites are the signature durian, tiramisu and chocolate flavours. The frosting is delectable, and the cake feels light on the palate.

Each cake comes in a petite size so you can indulge without feeling the guilt. We can finally have our cake, and eat it too!

Have Your Say!

What eggless cakes have you tried? Share with us in the comments!

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http://sparklette.net/food/emicakes-eggless-cakes/ | 2 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Mini snowskin mooncakes
S$58.80-62.80 for a box of 8 (single flavour only)

Metrocakes’ maiden launch of mooncakes is available in 4 flavours:
- Green tea paste with pumpkin seeds (green)
- White lotus paste with almond flakes (pink)
- Osmanthus paste (white)
- White lotus paste with whisky truffle (yellow)

Every flavour is represented by a different colour, and stencilled with different designs. While these are mini mooncakes, I discover that each one is much taller (or thicker) than the usual.

My favourites of the quartet are the safe but oh-so-fragrant green tea as well as the luscious white lotus paste with whisky truffle. My only gripe is that instead of being baby soft, the snowskin of each mooncake is thick, a little tough and quite chewy.

I have always been a fan of Metrocakes’ cake packaging, which comes included with disposable cutlery for your cake eating convenience. The hardy mooncake box is decorated in pretty pastel colours and printed with beautiful floral designs.

What mooncakes are you buying this year? Share with us in the comments!

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http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-mooncakes/ | 3 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Nearly 200 readers entered the giveaway for the 500g Daddy Dearest cake, worth S$68.80. The winners get to pick their preferred colour and flavour for the cake and have it delivered right to their doorstep!

Read on to find out who the 3 lucky winners are.

Winners

• Audrey Chua
• Chin Ming
• Clarice Hee

Congratulations to the 3 winners! MetroCakes will be contacting you at your email. Don’t forget to reply to the mail so that you can receive the cake in time for Father’s Day.

Results of SQL query that selected the comments randomly (duplicate and late submissions have been removed):

About MetroCakes

MetroCakes designs and bakes 3D cakes as well as mini cakes. The bakery, based in Kampong Glam, offers home delivery and makes cakes for various occasions, including weddings, birthdays, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-fathers-day-cake-winners/ | Leave a comment

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

This Father’s Day, our favourite cake maker MetroCakes has lined up a series of 3D couture cakes for the most special man in your life. The best part? They are giving away 3 of these cakes to Sparklette readers, delivery included!

Made to resemble a man’s shirt, these adorable Daddy Dearest cakes are available in six colours — blue, green, orange, red, pink and yellow — and two flavours — chocolate hazelnut fudge and orange mousse.

Read on to find out how you can win one of these specially created cakes to surprise your dad.

Father’s Day Cake Giveaway!

3 lucky Sparklette readers will each win a 500g Daddy Dearest cake worth S$68.80 from MetroCakes. Each 500g cake serves up to 6 people. The 3 winners will get to select the colour and flavour for the cake, and MetroCakes would deliver it right to your doorstep!

1. This giveaway is only open to members of the Sparklette and MetroCakes Facebook pages. So if you haven’t, “Like” both pages now. (Yes, just click the Like button!)

   
   

2. To participate, leave a comment here using your Facebook name along with the answer to this question:
   • What are the two flavours available for this custom-made Father’s Day cake?

The winners will be announced in a separate post. You are advised to subscribe to Sparklette (Email, RSS, Facebook, Twitter or iPhone) so that you can be quickly notified when the announcement post has been published.

Giveaway Details

• This giveaway ends on June 9, 2011 (2359 hours Singapore time).
• This giveaway is only open to Singapore residents.
• The 3 winners will be randomly selected by an SQL query.
• Please leave a valid email address when filling out the comment form so that we can contact you if you’ve won.
• Please only comment once.
• Comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (mentioned above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/contest/metrocakes-fathers-day-giveaway/ | 168 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

]]> 168 http://sparklette.net/food/the-cake-galleria/ http://sparklette.net/food/the-cake-galleria/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 03:00:08 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1137 I absolutely adore these 3D cupcakes from The Cake Galleria. Thanks to them, Sparklette is now edible!

The Cake Galleria specialises in custom-making cupcakes and whole cakes for various occasions, such as birthdays, weddings or just your regular “eat a cupcake” day. (Hint hint: Father’s Day is just around the corner.)

When the bakery first set out to create the Sparklette-themed cupcakes, I did not offer any art direction other than the fact that we have a pink and white colour scheme. The rest is up to them.

Now that the freshly baked cupcakes have arrived, they make me smile each time I see them. Not only are they delicious, the designs tie in exactly with our two main themes — food and travel. How very pretty in pink. How very Sparklette!

Unboxing the Cupcakes

The cupcakes are housed in a colourful box that is as sweet and cheery-looking as the contents within.

Aren’t these the cutest cupcakes? Each one is an ample portion, measuring approximately 7 centimetres across.

Sparklette 3D Cupcakes

Customised cupcakes
S$3.90 to 4.50 each (minimum order of 12)

The Sparklette cupcakes sport six unique toppers:
- World map
- Travel luggage with white V initial
- My name surrounded by pink flowers
- White rose
- Xiao long bao (steamed dumplings)
- Coffee cup

Which is your favourite cupcake? Is it the highly detailed xiao long bao that comes complete with a mini-sized bamboo steamer and mini-sized chopsticks, or the luggage bag that even has its own zip?

Give yourself a pat on the back if you recognise this coffee cup and saucer. Yes, that’s the icon from the new Sparklette iPhone app! Don’t you just wanna devour it, or pair it with coffee?

It’s the little touches of detail and thought that make cupcake art appealing. That the personalised design is so representative of Sparklette is simply icing on the cake.

The Cake Galleria cupcakes are available in two flavours — butter-cake and chocolate. The latter is moist and chocolaty rich, just the way we chocolate lovers like ‘em.

The Cake Galleria 3D Cupcake Designs

While the Sparklette cupcakes are dominated by girlish pinks and whites, here are the more colourful cupcake creations from The Cake Galleria.

If you are planning a cupcake party or looking to have special cupcakes made for someone dear, have them created with lots of love at The Cake Galleria.

What would your personalised cupcakes look like? Tell us in the comments!

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http://sparklette.net/food/the-cake-galleria/ | 5 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

The liberal use of Belgian chocolate and Valrhona cocoa powder gives each brownie a marvellously chocolaty taste. My family got so hooked on our previous batch of baked.and.eaten brownies that we rationed each piece carefully so that they lasted longer. I kid you not; we’re a food appreciating, chocolate lovin’ bunch!

Valentine’s Day heart-shaped cheese brownie
S$16
Rating:

If the chocolate alone isn’t enough to tempt your taste buds, the smooth and soft cheese layer ought to do it. I’m pleased that the tang and saltiness of the cheese balances deliciously with the chocolaty sweetness. What a treat!

The heart-shaped cheese brownie measures four inches at the wings — not too big, not too small (Goldilocks would approve), just enough for two to enjoy in a cosy, intimate environment. I recommend indulging in this Valentine’s dessert when it has been left at room temperature for at least half an hour. It is most palatable in its fudgy, semi-soft state.

Have a lovely Valentine’s!

What are you having this Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments!

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

baked.and.eaten is a bakery at Kampong Glam, run by brownie specialist Charmaine Tan. The luscious chocolate fudge brownies come in delicious flavours like cranberry, walnut and cheese. Happily, I am indulging in these chocolaty treats that are designed to be a chocoholic’s dream come true!

Unboxing the brownies

The baked.and.eaten brownies come in boxes of eight. Each slim box is brown and white, adorned with pastel-coloured lines and a cute cartoon figure of a lady brownie baker, whom I guess must be Charmaine herself.

The box opens up to an instruction sheet, thoughtfully printed with tips on how to enjoy these sweet treats.

The eight brownies — each one a 4.8 by 4.8 centimetre square — are placed in clear plastic with individual place-holders.

The Brownies

What would make chocolate lovers go totally gaga over the dark chocolate and cranberry brownies are how intensely chocolaty they are, the result of a generous dose of Belgian chocolate and Valrhona cocoa powder.

Dark chocolate and cranberry brownies
S$24 for 8
Rating:

The juicy cranberries add a pleasantly vivacious dimension to the fudgy chocolate goodness. There is also supposed to be a dash of espresso, although I can’t quite detect it. Not that it matters; I’m in it for the chocolate, and these babies are marvellously rich and dense, and wonderfully moist and soft at the same time.

Triple chocolate walnut brownies
S$24 for 8
Rating:

Fancy brownies with an extra crunch? The Triple chocolate walnut would do the trick. They are packed with toasted walnut bits. Looking at the sheer amount, you can instantly tell that Charmaine is very generous with her ingredients.

If calories are no object, you can even enjoy this à la mode, topped with a tiara of vanilla ice cream. Come to think of it, Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream would go really well with this! But that would be too much of an indulgence now, wouldn’t it?

Ahhh… the joys of sweet endings.

Have you ever ordered cakes and brownies online? Know of any good online bakery? Share your recommendations in the comments!

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Metrocakes, the online bakery shop with a physical store at Kampong Glam has baked up a storm this Spring Festival. Previously, you have already seen their miniature cakes and Christmas log cakes. For Lunar New Year 2011, Metrocakes’ festive collection quickly impresses with the artful 3D cake creations.

Fortune Cracker 3D Cake

The Fortune Cracker
S$98.80

The Fortune Cracker 3D cake is a work of art comprising of all the things that represent Chinese New Year. The firecracker is affixed with the Chinese fu (福) character, which means good luck.

Much attention to detail has been paid, such as the floral and swirly patterns on the red surface of the cake.

A lightly rolled red scroll on the side is iced with the black characters Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财), a popular Chinese New Year greeting. Familiar icons of the traditional festival such as a pair of mandarin oranges and red packets complete the picture.

Underneath the beautiful fondant layer, the cake consists of alternating layers of chocolate sponge and refreshing orange mousse. It serves approximately 8-10 persons. Now, the question is: who would have the heart to cut the first slice?

Chinese New Year 3D Cupcakes

Cuteness abounds in these Chinese New Year 3D cupcake creations!

Treasure Cove
S$68.80
Rating:

You would find 5 different designs — red packet, gold coin, firecracker, mandarin orange and rabbit — for a total of 24 cupcakes in the Treasure Cove.

To usher in the Year of the Rabbit, have a bunny cupcake, complete with floppy ears, pink nose and rosy cheeks!

The firecracker makes an appearance again, this time as a miniature cupcake topper.

These gold coins have a nice shimmery surface.

If you can get over the cute factor to actually take a bite out of the adorable nosh (took us a day before we took that first bite), you would find that the sweetness in the fondant ornaments balances the orange flavour of the cake well.

Cerissa from Metrocakes shares, “Those decorations on top of the cupcakes can be kept if you wish! Just wipe them clean and store them in a dry area.”

Indeed, I’m placing a pair of these mini mandarin oranges on my car dashboard. Like I said, they look too good to eat!

What are the most amazing cakes you have ever eaten? Share with us in the comments!

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

Amore Bakery, an online bakery shop run by Sparklette reader, Gennie Lee, previously impressed with its Christmas brownies that not only look adorable, but taste divine. (In fact, my family was so impressed we ordered a few more boxes after getting the review set!)

This time round, Amore Bakery is once again delivering an array of festive goodies for Lunar New Year.

Peanut balls
S$18.50 for a tub of 45 pieces
Rating:

My personal favourites are the peanut balls. The peanuts have been roasted to crunchy completeness, making them an absolute delight to munch on. This is an eggless product. That means no cholesterol, and it’s probably suitable for vegetarians, too.

Pineapple bar cookies
S$14.50 for a tub of 30 pieces
Rating:

What’s Chinese New Year without the perennial favourite pineapple confection? Amore Bakery’s rendition comes in the form of pineapple bar cookies, each one neatly stencilled with the bakery’s name.

The cookie has a rich, buttery taste and light texture that simply crumbles in the mouth, oozing out soft pineapple paste. My only gripe is that each bar is made in a petite size and can only hold so much fruit paste.

Pork floss cookies
S$16.50 for a tub of 36 pieces
Rating:

If you like floss buns, you would like these pork floss cookies. Each one boasts fluffy pork floss that lends much flavour to the cookie. These sure make an unusual and very savoury snack for Chinese New Year.

Whilst nibbling on these treats, you can also feel good with the knowledge that they are free of artificial colouring and preservatives. Gennie is only baking 100 tubs of each flavour. So if you are having a craving for these Chinese New Year cookies already, place your orders quickly. And, don’t forget to share!

What goodies and snacks do you indulge in at Chinese New Year? Share with us in the comments!

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

At 1 Caramel, the patisserie under the One Rochester group along with 1 Twenty Six has unveiled an assortment of Christmas cakes, tarts and macarons.

Choose from three log cakes, namely coffee butterscotch, mango citron and Trois Mattron. (S$60 each)

Apart from the log cakes, the multi-coloured macarons are also a big draw. The 12 Days of Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) boasts diverse flavours. Have one each day over the 12 days of Christmas! (S$30 a set)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire 1 Caramel Christmas collection 2010.

2. Bakerzin

When we’re on the subject of macarons, you know that casual dining café chain Bakerzin would be mentioned somewhere. After all, this is where I had my virgin taste of the little French sweet treat!

Now, how about a log cake made of macarons?

The Merry Creation macaron log cake starts with a melt-in-the-mouth layer of Sacher sponge cake followed by a layer of delightful chocolate mousse and finally crunchy hazelnut praline. The whole cake is covered with chocolate and strawberry macaron shells, with strawberry gummies adding a fun factor. Truly one of its kind! (S$48 for 1kg)

Taking its inspiration from black forest cake, the Dark Beauty log cake is made of chocolate sponge filled with chocolate mousse, sweet cherries and Chantilly cream with kirsch. Decorating it are delicate chocolate strips and Valrhona chocolate stars. (S$38 for 1kg)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Bakerzin Christmas collection 2010.

3. The Ritz-Carlton

For a more oriental log cake with a tropical taste, go for the vanilla tofu and citrus orange mousse cake at The Ritz-Carlton.

This one would appeal to the health-conscious! There is even a sprinkling of silver beads for good measure. (S$62, serves 10)

4. Swensen’s

Ice cream cakes are a big hit at Swensen’s. Even more so when you have them in 7 tantalising flavours that include the very Singaporean durian and chendol!

Swensen’s specialty ice cream log cakes come in these flavours (S$49 for 1kg):
- Cookie Carousel
- Chocolate Indulgence
- Cappuccino Raisins Fantasy
- Nutty Noel
- Berry Merry Christmas
- Durian Deluxe
- Chendol Jubilee

Durian Deluxe, in particular, has rich and creamy durian ice cream adorned with pieces of white chocolate and mixed fruits.

Check out the other cakes and party food available in the Swensen’s Christmas collection 2010.

5. Metrocakes

Metrocakes, the new kid on the block, has come up strong amidst the flurry of competition. The online bakery boasts impressive 3D couture cakes, delectable miniature cakes and of course the Christmas logs. You can order any of the cakes online and have them delivered, all from the comfort of your computer chair!

For Christmas, they have two log cakes for your selection — Christmas Knight and Enchanted Woods. (S$44.90 to 99.90 for 500g to 2kg)

Check out a more complete review of the Metrocakes log cakes.

6. The Icing Room

Have you ever wanted to decorate a log cake yourself? Put on your creative hats and do just that at The Icing Room, a bakery under the BreadTalk group and the first to introduce the design-it-yourself concept in Singapore.

You will be provided with a plain log cake iced with Chantilly cream in chocolate and strawberry flavours and a set of different coloured cream piping bags and Christmas garnishes such as pine trees, message tags and Santa Claus figurines. Each completed cake will then be packaged in a specially-designed Christmas cake box that you can give to your friends and loved ones! (S$13.80 for 220g)

7. COVA Pasticceria

This Christmas, you can enjoy a very Italian Christmas with your loved ones at COVA Pasticceria. The elegant café at Paragon, Orchard Road has made available for order an array of Christmas goodies including festive cakes, gourmet gifts and hampers.

The chocolate & cherries log cake is made with Italian chocolate and pitted cherries. (S$48 for 1 kg)

Check out the other cakes and hampers available in the COVA Pasticceria Christmass collection 2010.

8. Mandarin Oriental

Mandarin Oriental Singapore presents a range of festive gourmet treats that includes a duo of classy-looking log cakes.

While these do not resemble the yule log in the most traditional sense, the Framboises Buche de Noel with its raspberries, Jivara milk chocolate and macadamia nuts would satisfy any cake lover. Chocolate fans can go for the Truffle Buche de Noel, made of dark Guanaja chocolate with macerated Morello cherries and nougatine (S$36 / 68 for 500g / 1kg)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Mandarin Oriental Christmas collection 2010.

9. Klapsons

Klapsons is one of the many boutique hotels that opened in Singapore over the past couple of years. The swanky hotel located along the southern fringe of the central business district has launched a selection of festive goodies this season.

The Chocolate Yule Log would appeal to all chocolate lovers with its thick finishing of chocolate fudge. (S$38)

Most adorable of all are the Christmas-themed cupcakes, presented in the form of familiar festive icons like a Christmas tree and even a turkey! Perfect for pleasing the little ones in your life :) (S$22.80 / 42.80 for a box of 6 / 12)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Klapsons Christmas collection 2010.

10. Eatzi Gourmet

Muslim friends need not miss out on all the colourful festive treats when you have Eatzi Gourmet‘s Christmas collection. The food is certified halal! In case you’re unfamiliar with Eatzi, they are under the umbrella of JP Pepperdine, parent company of Jack’s Place and Restaurant Hoshigaoka.

The company’s range of Christmas cakes are extravagantly decorated. Take a peek at the Eatzi Gourmet Christmas collection 2010 and you’ll see why! The Oreo cheese log is a real treat for cheesecake fans. (S$43 for 1kg)

Also check out the Tudor Gold mini logs which come in miniature portions that are perfect for sharing. (S$25 for 12)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Eatzi Gourmet Christmas collection 2010.

11. Häagen-Dazs

With Häagen-Dazs‘ theme for this year being “Share Your Happiness”, be sure to share these frosty treats with your loved ones!

The decadent Belgian chocolate ice cream log cake Christmas Celebration is topped with sugared strawberries and blackberries, with edible gold beans and gold dust lending a touch of luxury. (S$80+, 1 or 1.5kg)

A cookies and cream rendition comes in the form of the Let It Snow white chocolate glazed log, topped with whole strawberries. (S$80+, 1 or 1.5kg)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Häagen-Dazs Christmas collection 2010.

12. Goodwood Park Hotel

This Christmas, Goodwood Park Hotel has prepared a wide selection of sweet and savoury delights.

The dark chocolate with caramel cremeux log cake is a creamy mix of dark chocolate and dense caramel mousse complemented with layers of chocolate sponge and hazelnut crumble. (S$58 for 1 kg)

A nod to Goodwood Park Hotel’s famous durian pastries and cakes, the durian profiteroles Christmas bell is the hotel’s fruity delicacy for this festive occasion. Each fluffy profiterole is filled with pure D24 durian pulp and lined on a sponge cake base to form a delicious showpiece. (S$68)

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Goodwood Park Hotel Christmas collection 2010.

Bonus: Starbucks

Every self-respecting geek’s (and that includes yours, truly) favourite coffee chain Starbucks has launched a smorgasbord of Christmas-themed food items on the menu. Stop by and pick up a raspberry-glazed doughnut, gingerbread cookie or a mini log cake.

The chocolate coffee log is made with the house dark roast coffee, comprising an airy sponge rolled with smooth custard cream, topped with delectable dark chocolate.

‘Like’ Sparklette on Facebook and browse the entire Starbucks Christmas collection 2010 and Christmas merchandise.

Apart from these, what other log cake have you indulged in this Christmas? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/log-cakes/ | 6 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

These brownies come decorated with the familiar seasonal icons like Santa, Rudolph, candy cane and Christmas tree. The bright cheery colours would totally bring a smile to any child’s face!

Even more importantly: They not only look good, but taste heavenly too.

Christmas brownies
S$17.50 for a box of 8
Rating:

I am usually not that huge on brownies as they sometimes turn out dry and cakey. The ones from Amore Bakery, however, are fudge brownies whose texture is wonderfully soft and moist! They had me from the very first bite. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from eating them all at once is their sore throat-inducing quality — the chocolate is so darn rich! But you know what they say, a little sin always adds to the taste.

And these decadent goodies come with a surprise, too.

Each one contains a generous shot of silky smooth chocolate filling, so with every bite luscious chocolate paste oozes out, reminiscent of the chocolate lava cake. Oh boy.

The box of 8 brownies are packed in a transparent plastic container, tied together with red and green ribbon. Just for this festive period (18 to 24 December, 2010), you can enjoy free delivery when you purchase these adorable Christmas brownies. (Usually, a $50 minimum order is required.)

The chocolate brownies are a feast for both the eye and the palate. Grab them quickly before Amore Bakery gets too busy to take your order!

Are you baking up a storm this Christmas, too? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/amore-bakery/ | 2 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net

MetroCakes is an online bakery with a physical shop at Kampong Glam. I recently reviewed their diverse miniature cake collection. For the festive season, they have whipped up two attractively designed log cake creations. Interestingly, both log cakes have fairytale-like names — Christmas Knight and Enchanted Woods.

Unboxing the cakes

The cakes come in the MetroCakes’ signature white boxes with the orange logo. Depicted here are the 500 gram log cakes, which are also available in three other sizes — 1, 1.5 and 2 kilograms.

A separate compartment at the base of the box is where you would find disposable cutlery such as a plastic knife, paper plates and colourful picks for your cake cutting and eating convenience.

Christmas log cakes

Christmas Knight
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

The Christmas Knight — chocolate sponge cake dressed with milky hazelnut cream and finished with dark chocolate fudge — is rich yet supernal upon the tongue. Topped with pieces of white chocolate and crushed hazelnut bits, this is the traditional chocolate log cake in every sense. Oldies are goldies indeed! Bonus points for the beautiful toppings and ornaments. I especially like the little handmade fondant Christmas tree, which even has a yellow star!

Enchanted Woods
500g – S$44.90
1kg – S$59.90
1.5kg – S$79.90
2kg – S$99.90
Rating:

But if you happen to be a black forest cake fanatic, the Enchanted Woods may just cast a spell on you. This chocolate mousse log cake has two layers of rich chocolate mousse and rum-soaked cherries sandwiched between chocolate sponge. And that’s not all.

Set atop the cake is a delicious armada of mini eclairs for a wholesome cake indulgence.

Mouse potatoes who enjoy the convenience of purchasing cakes online can head on over to the website and get clicking. Prices include delivery.

Where are you buying your log cakes this Christmas? Do you prefer the traditional chocolate log cake or the modern ones with innovative flavours? Share with us in the comments!

View the original article and join the discussion at:
http://sparklette.net/food/metrocakes-log-cakes/ | 6 comments

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© 2011 Sparklette.net