http://sparklette.net/food/baked-and-eaten-valentines-brownies/ http://sparklette.net/food/baked-and-eaten-valentines-brownies/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:17:19 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1293

I’ve long been a fan of baked.and.eaten brownies after trying them for the first time in 2010. This local bakery was set up by brownie specialist Charmaine Tan. In some ways, Charmaine and I share similar stories. We both graduated from a Singapore university, worked in the corporate world before starting our own businesses. And we both adore cats!

Anyway, I just love how chocolaty and fudgy rich her brownies are. If you aren’t a brownie fan at first (I sure wasn’t), you would be a convert after this.

For Valentine’s Day, the brownies have been lovingly added with cut-out hearts on top. The Brownies Heart are available in the usual two delicious flavours:

• Dark chocolate and cranberry
• Triple chocolate walnut

Brownies Heart
S$28 for a box of 8
Rating:

How cute are these? My favourite is still the cranberry flavour and I’m delighted to see that they have become so pretty for Valentine’s. The walnut ones are also delicious with an added crunch.

Both brownie flavours have already been reviewed previously. So if you’d like to know more and see the packaging, click over to my review of baked.and.eaten brownies.

Valentine brownie
S$16
Rating:

For even more cuteness, grab the Valentine brownie. It is sold individually in a sweet heart-shaped container surrounded with a bright red ribbon. This is actually a double-layered brownie; the main brownie at the bottom is drizzled in chocolate, and crowned with a second layer of heart-shaped brownie!

Look closely and you may even notice the shimmery glitter on the red heart. Edible, of course. It’s just lovely! So if you know someone who’s a chocolate brownie fan, you know what to get him/her for Valentine’s!

Girls and guys, what is your favourite gift on Valentine’s Day? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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]]> 2 http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/ http://sparklette.net/food/jo-takes-the-cake/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:46:20 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1291 As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’ll be sharing more food reviews related to the special day.

Whether or not you’re romantically inclined, you will want a piece of these sweet cupcakes by home baker Jo Takes the Cake.

Valentine’s Day vanilla cupcakes
S$30 for a box of 9

Just looking at Jo’s cupcakes alone is such a joy. After all, the first bite is taken with the eye right? And they are available at a great price too.

The set of 9 vanilla cupcakes share a common red and white colour scheme, each decorated with a unique Valentine’s Day icon. They’re so pretty I can stare at them all day! Which is your favourite?

I love the attention to detail too. For instance, even the sugar sprinkles are dyed red for Valentine’s Day! Make no mistake: These cupcakes are baked to impress. If you are racking your brains on what to give that someone special this Valentine’s, these cupcakes will definitely make her day.

Valentine’s Day chocolate cupcakes
S$20 for a box of 6

Since guys are less likely to appreciate the girlish hearts and flowers cupcakes, the set of 6 chocolate cupcakes can make a great gift for him. I personally find that this chocolate collection is quite pretty too. Each one is embellished with a red rose, and sprinkled with red sugar.

As a chocolate fan, I simply adore these. The top layer is a very thick coat of sinful rich chocolate. After that first bite, all doctor’s advice is thrown to the wind. Drink loads of water after this okay?

The packaging kind of hides the actual size of the cupcakes, which are in fact quite tall. I can’t say this enough, but the prices of these Valentine’s Day cupcakes are really reasonable. Even if you aren’t buying these for someone, there’s no reason not to get them for yourself. We all deserve a treat every once in a while.

Plus, they come with sweet red polka-dotted ribbons. Love it!

A week’s advance order is required. Self-collection at the Clementi area. To order, send a Facebook message to Jo Takes the Cake.

What’s a great foodie gift for Valentine’s Day? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

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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!

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Using only specially-imported Ecuadorian Arriba beans (USDA certified organic and fair trade product) and Whey Low (all-natural patented sweetener with 75 percent lower glycemic index, carbohydrates and calories than sugar), Cacao7 succeeds in creating delicious chocolaty treats with reduced calorie counts and are friendly for dieters and diabetics.

Iced-box brownie
S$3 each

The organic Iced-box brownie is served straight from the freezer — a refreshing change from the usual warm brownie with ice cream. I like that it has a nice chewy texture without being too dry or crumbly.

Organic French truffles
S$3 for 2 pieces

These organic French truffles may be little, they still pack a punch with the rich chocolaty flavour. There is a slight bitterness from the generous coating of pure cacao.

Potent lava scoop cake
S$7 / 5.80 for take-out

The Potent lava scoop cake, served with a dollop of whipped cream, is amazingly smooth and rich. The full roundedness of chocolate comes through, along with hints of nuts. If you are in a hurry, this cake is also available for take-out.

Iced chocolate
S$7

The chilled counterpart of hot chocolate, the iced chocolate is surprisingly light. Enjoy the full flavour of the molten chocolate without the after-taste of artificial sweeteners. A delightful treat for a hot day.

Dino Pals
S$2.50 for a pack

There are small packs of freshly made chocolates on sale daily, suitable as healthful yet indulgent gifts for loved ones or even for yourself. Apart from these cute Dino Pals, look out for the irresistibly adorable Mood Buddies.

Besides showcasing the signature items, the menu also educates customers on the benefits of cacao, including a calorie and carbohydrate count for each dessert — just the thing for the health-conscious.

Forget about artificially-flavoured and overly sweet confections that don’t quite taste like the real thing. Cacao7 presents all-natural, organic chocolates and desserts that are so good, you would not believe that they are low carb!

Where can you get healthy desserts in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

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]]> 0 http://sparklette.net/food/1-caramel/ http://sparklette.net/food/1-caramel/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 03:00:12 +0000 Melissa Koh http://sparklette.net/?p=1178

Hidden away from the bustling city, 1-Caramel is a dessert boutique located on the second level of One Rochester.

Amidst the lush greenery of Rochester Park, you would totally feel like you’re on a mini getaway with the resort-like façade.

Upon entering 1 Caramel, you may get the impression that you are stepping into a pastry workshop rather than a bistro.

The open concept of the clean and organised pastry kitchen allows us curious diners to watch how our desserts are being meticulously prepared.

Be mesmerised by the array of exquisite cakes on display, showcasing different pastry techniques, skills and artistic creativity.

The wide range includes signature whole cakes (8 to 9 inches; S$45-85) and cupcakes (S$3-3.50). You can also opt for your cakes to be customised, whose prices would then be dependent on the complexity of design.

Other than desserts, set lunches (S$12-18++) and an all-day brunch menu (S$8-22++) are available. The drinks selection includes coffees and teas (S$5-8++) and ice blended beverages (S$8-8.90++).

To add to the classy and modern contemporary interior, the excellent view of nature allows you to escape from the busy urban life while indulging your senses in the cosy ambience.

Despite the limited seating capacity of 16 diners, there is still ample room for comfort. One side benefit is that you will receive undivided attention from the staff. A reservation should be made in advance to secure a seat during peak hours.

Brunch

From the brunch menu, you can go for the tastefully presented traditional eggs Benedict with smoked salmon.

Traditional eggs Benedict
S$14++

Doused in a wonderful lemony hollandaise sauce, the poached eggs boast a runny yolk. As you cut into the eggs, they bleed beautifully to lightly coat the salmon and muffin beneath. All the elements combine to make a wholesome and well-balanced dish that you will enjoy thoroughly.

For sharing, the posh platter (S$22++) consists of three items.

Truffled brie and cherry tomatoes

The truffled brie and cherry tomatoes on a toasted brioche make a healthful finger food. Fresh tomatoes and the light pastry crumbs are bound perfectly with the great-tasting truffled brie.

Asparagus wrapped in basil and prosciutto

Even though I am one who discards any greens I see on a plate, the asparagus is an exception. I love the teaming of salted prosciutto with the al denté asparagus.

Smoked salmon tart with crème fraiche and ocean trout caviar

My favourite component of the platter would be the smoked salmon tart with crème fraiche and ocean trout caviar. The tart is freshly baked, with smoked salmon mixed in a creamy centre, and finally sprinkled with caviar for a touch of luxury.

Desserts

Raspberry rum chocolate lollipop
Not available on menu

These tiny raspberry rum chocolate lollipops are certainly worthy of your attention. Dusted with raspberry powder, the rich dark chocolate melts in the mouth. The raspberry and chocolate form a sexy pairing that leaves you craving for more.

Then comes the crowd pleaser. The 1-Caramel Assiette is an assembly of elegant petite-sized desserts that look too pretty to be eaten. If you fancy any of the desserts, you can order the regular portion at S$14++ each.

Death by chocolate (bottom right) consists of a Valrhona soffiato molten cake followed by dark chocolate sorbet and a trail of chocolaty goodness. Mysteriously, the supposedly molten chocolate centre is missing, although the very rich dark chocolate sorbet that melts into a thick chocolate sauce makes up for it.

Raspberry lychee rose panna cotta

A charming light dessert, the raspberry lychee rose panna cotta with lychee-lemon compote is a natural choice for the health-conscious. The cold pudding has a comforting smooth texture that isn’t too sweet. The acidity will not satisfy any sweet tooth but it definitely will galvanise your taste buds for more desserts!

Earl Grey crème brulee

The Earl Grey crème brulee is an infusion of Earl Grey tea leaves in smooth custard. Less sweet than the classic crème brulee, it also lacks the contrasting layer of bruleed caramel on top; cracking into the dessert would have upped the excitement factor! The quaint grissini cheese straws, dusted with tea and icing powder are a delight to nibble and go very well with the crème brulee.

Baked Alaska

The Baked Alaska comprises of home-made strawberry and vanilla ice cream capped with rum-flavoured Italian meringue, resting on nutty chocolate brownie.

Cutting into the dessert is such a joy. Beautifully layered, the contrasting textures — ice cream, cake and baked meringue — are absolutely heavenly. I devour it in minutes!

Hazelnut soufflé
S$14++

The hazelnut soufflé is coupled with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The soufflé arrives as a puffed up pillow with a golden crown over a soft yielding centre, which spells the perfect comfort food. It is full of hazelnut richness and has a nostalgic flavour that reminds me of my favourite childhood candy bar — Kinder Bueno.

I end up eating the two separately as I feel each one tastes better on its own.

Miso soufflé
S$14++

The miso soufflé slants toward the savoury side, and I enjoy the salty-sweet combination immensely. The yuzu (a citrus fruit) ice cream that comes with it is a tad sour, and complements the soufflé. This luscious dessert is a must-try for soufflé fans.

Midori macaron

Cutting into the eggshell-like crust of the midori macaron gives way to varying textures and flavours. Tiny as it is, it would leave you wanting more.

1-Caramel displays creativity and technique in fabricating these delicate desserts. No matter what your gastronomic preferences are, you will be spoilt for choice here.

Aside from Rochester Park, are there any other unique dining enclaves in Singapore? What is your most memorable dining experience? Share with us in the comments!

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At Oso, you can dive into a range of creatively presented Italian cuisine, from pastas and risottos to seafood and meat dishes.

Spider crab meat with mixed vegetables

You enter Oso through Baretto and head up to the second floor where you are greeted by immaculately dressed waiters. The dining room exudes a classy elegance, courtesy of candlelit tables and use of brown and grey tones in the décor.

An interesting sight: Look out for someone cutting cheeses and cured meats in a little standalone room made of glass!

Bread

The complimentary bread comes in three types: French baguette, thin bread sticks and sun-dried tomato bread, accompanied by olive oil dotted with balsamic vinegar. Don’t get too carried away with the breads though; the antipasti are going to be good.

Starters

Spider crab meat
S$20++

For appetisers, seafood lovers must not miss the excellent spider crab meat. Paired with crunchy mixed vegetables, it arrives in dramatic fashion in a crab shell, sitting within a woven basket. The presentation is certainly memorable, a prelude to the beautiful plating of the dishes to come.

I love how easy it is to eat this thing. No pincers to wrestle with a la chilli crab. The crab meat is conveniently de-shelled so you can enjoy it with maximum pleasure. And what pleasure it is. Sweet, succulent and amazingly fresh, every bite brings on raptures of delight. Totally transporting.

Pan fried foie gras
S$26++

The foie gras arrives on a large white plate kissed by Marsala wine sauce and a smattering of pepper. The lavishly decadent liver is slightly crisp on the surface, velvety on the inside. You get a rather generous slab too!

Mains

Braised veal shank
S$34++

If your preferences run more to meat, the braised veal shank is a good bet. Drenched in a hearty and savoury sauce, the milk-fed veal is so melt-in-your-mouth tender that it falls off the bone easily.

Roasted cod fillet
S$34++

Not all dishes are aces though. The lightly roasted cod fillet in Balsamico sauce is teamed with rosemary potato resting on a thin layer of olive oil. For its price, the portion is minute for an overall forgettable dish.

Dessert

70% hot dark chocolate tart with milk ice cream
S$14++

A perfect closure to an evening at Oso is the sensuous and satisfying dark chocolate tart. Once you break the outer ring of tart shell, molten chocolate oozes out. Fans of lava cake would find this totally familiar. The brush stroke-like embellishment of chocolate sauce on the side adds a very nice touch of detail too.

I hear the tiramisu here is one of the lightest versions out there. If you get to try it, do let me know if it’s that good.

If you are planning to take someone out for an Italian meal, do place OSO Ristorante on your short list. The food is oh, so good, and the service is professional, somewhat formal, but not overbearing. Do make reservations in advance though; this is a hotspot amongst expatriates, and for good reason too.

What is your favourite Italian restaurant in Singapore? Share with us in the comments!

OSO Ristorante
46 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089858
Tel: +65 6327 8378 | Website
Service:

Opening hours:
Lunch: 12noon – 2:30pm (Mon – Fri)
Dinner: 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat)

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]]> 4 http://sparklette.net/food/ben-jerrys-phish-food/ http://sparklette.net/food/ben-jerrys-phish-food/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 10:18:02 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=1136 Every month when I top up our supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the VivoCity Scoop Shop, I find myself inevitably reaching for the chocolate flavours. There’s no denying how rich and addictive Ben & Jerry’s chocolate ice cream is, instantly elevating any flavour that uses it to “best of the month” status.

So, my Ben & Jerry’s Flavour of the Month for May is Phish Food.

Now, you’re probably wondering why anyone would give a dessert such an unsavoury name. Ben & Jerry’s claim that it is named after the American rock band Phish.

Phish Food
S$14.90 a pint
Rating:

Once you get past the fishy name, you may be surprised by how good Phish Food is. The chocolate base is a winner, paired with an added note of sweetness from the gooey marshmallow and caramel swirls.

The only fish you would find in it are the tiny pieces of fish-shaped chocolates preserved in the ice cream. I’m confused as to why Ben & Jerry’s call them fudge. If you have tried Phish Food, Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz or New York Super Fudge Chunk, you would know that the chunks aren’t fudge-like, but more like pieces of hard candy.

Regardless, it is a pint of chocolaty deliciousness that would get chocolate fans hooked.

Ingredients: Cream, Water, Skim Milk, Liquid Sugar (Sugar, Water), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Coconut Oil, Butter (Cream, Salt), Egg Whites, Egg Yolks, Vanilla Extract, Corn Syrup Solids, Guar Gum, Cocoa, Milk Fat, Salt, Natural Flavor, Pectin, Carrageenan, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin. ALLERGY INFORMATION: FUDGE FISH PIECES ARE MANUFACTURED ON EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO PROCESSES PEANUTS AND TREE NUTS.

If you have ever browsed the ice cream shelves and shunned this particular flavour due to its fishy name, rest assured that it really will not disappoint.

Have Your Say!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

What do you think of Phish Food? What are your favourite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavours? And what flavours would you like to see on Sparklette next month? Tell us in the comments!

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Credit

This is how you play yummy chocolate Monopoly:

1. Place the board and the spinner on the table.
2. The host spins first. If the spinner lands on a coloured square, the player can take a chocolate of the same (street) colour from the box and put it on the board on a street square of the same colour. Then it is the next player’s turn.
3. If the spinner stops on a locomotive square, the player must place a similar chocolate on one of the stations.
4. If the spinner stops on a square with a question mark, a similar chocolate is placed in the bank.
5. If the spinner stops on the Free Parking square, the player may take all chocolates from the bank.
6. Once the last chocolate belonging to a colour on the board (street or station) has been placed, the next player to spin this colour may take all the chocolates of that colour.
7. As soon as all streets and all stations have been distributed, the player who has won the most chocolates wins! The winner may also eat any chocolates left in the bank.

Credit

Scrabble – The Chocolate Edition

As for Scrabble chocolate edition, it comes with a paper board and 32 pieces of chocolate squares wrapped to resemble Scrabble letters.

Credit

Here are the game rules for chocolate Scrabble:

1. Each player takes 5 chocolates out of the box and puts them on the table in front of them. The board is placed on the table.
2. The host takes the first turn by trying to make a word run horizontally or vertically, starting in the centre square. Players may use the letters on either side of the chocolates. Write down the total value of the word and take out as many new chocolates as you need to make up to five again.
3. The next player tries to make up a new word using one of more of the letters already on the board.
4. A premium letter or word square doubles or triples the value of the letter or word.
5. When no more words can be built, the player with the highest scores wins the Golden Trophy. The host then divides up the chocolates.

Does this make you want to run to the nearest store to buy a box of these edible board games? Sure, they can be played just that one time, but they sure make great party games. In fact, there are more games in the chocolate series such as Cluedo and Trivial Pursuit.

What are the most unusual food products you have seen? Let us know!

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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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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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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!

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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!

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Source

I discovered the Beard Papa’s chocolate fondant some years back, marking my foray into the delicious world of chocolate lava cakes. Yes, it has a molten chocolate centre. Don’t you just love the sensation of warm chocolate filling your mouth? Ever since that first taste years ago, the lava cake has remained my most favourite dessert in the world. I’m not even sure why Beard Papa’s fondant has never been featured here before; somehow this fell through the cracks.

Fondant au Chocolat
S$2.80 for 1, S$5.20 for 2
Rating:

On the outside the fondant is moist and soft, dusted with sugar. The centre oozes out that luxurious gooey chocolate. Rather than being overtly sweet, this is pure intense, dark chocolaty goodness all around. Read about how Beard Papa’s make their Fondant au Chocolat. It is truly a labour of love!

You get it at a real bargain, too. Last I checked they were selling it at S$2.80 for one and S$5.20 for two.

Here’s a tip: Buy this home and pop it in the microwave briefly before serving. Have it a la mode with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a glass of raspberry wine. You’re welcome.

What pastries do you normally buy at Beard Papa’s? Are there other places where we can enjoy chocolate lava cakes at a bargain price? The comments form is below. You know what to do!

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12. The Kingpin – With vanilla sponge squares nestled on top, the durian mousse cake boasts fresh durian puree, although weaker in taste when compared with bigger players like Goodwood Park Hotel.
(S$4.50)

13. Pink Panther – The strawberry yogurt cake is a concoction of strawberry puree, yogurt cream and vanilla sponge.
(S$4.80)

14. Mocha Mode – The only coffee-themed cake in the miniature series is this mocha cheesecake. Unlike the Earl Grey cake, the mocha flavour is quite faint.
(S$5.40)

15. Bluebells – The blueberry cheesecake comes with a thick topcoat of blueberry puree. Yum!
(S$5.40)

16. Triple Thrill – None other than the blackforest cake, this round cake consists of two layers of rich chocolate mousse and a crown of chocolate shavings.
(S$4.80)

Couture cakes

Remember the excitement you felt as a child when your birthday cake was carried into the room? Birthdays would surely be even more memorable when the cakes look as amazing as these couture creations! Check out some of these 3D cakes by Metrocakes:

This Precious Moments cake has an actual figurine provided by the customer, and cupcakes amidst the cake!

Chanel handbag, anyone?

That’s Domo-kun.

A football-themed cake featuring figurines of famous English footballers. Rooney, Lampard and Terry, I think?

What are your thoughts on ordering cakes online? Have you seen any other amazing couture cakes? Share with us in the comments!

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Credit

My first experience with Royce’ was in ’06, when a friend specially couriered a small unassuming “care package” to me. It unraveled to reveal a slim box of Nama chocolates!

I was hooked from the very first bite, and went on to label them as little pieces of heaven. They truly are! Although some people prefer calling them the Rolls-Royce of chocolate.

Royce’ hails from Hokkaido. As a testimony to the Japanese people’s emphasis on excellence, the packaging of Royce’ products is impressive.

When you purchase the candy from their stores, it is accompanied by a cooling dry ice pack and sealed in thick silver packaging. This way, shoppers can continue their spree for hours without worrying about the chocolate melting into a gooey mess!

Each box contains twenty pieces of chocolate blocks covered in fine powdery cacao. It comes with a small plastic spoon.

The 5 main flavours of Nama chocolate are (from left):

• Au Lait
• White
• Champagne
• Mild Cacao
• Bitter

Sometimes, the company also releases seasonal flavours like banana or strawberry.

Royce’ Nama chocolate (Champagne)
S$15
Rating:

Having sampled all 5 flavours at the store (yeah, they let you do that), my personal favourite is the scrumptious champagne. Bitter trails by a close second, and would be favoured by chocolate fanatics that crave the really strong and mildly bitter flavour.

The feel of the chocolate on the tongue is creamy and velvety smooth. First you taste the slight bitterness of the cacao powder, then the sweet and rich chocolaty flavour as it quickly melts in the mouth.

There is the tinge of Champagne Pierre Mignon, although it isn’t like those liquor filled chocolate where you get a burst of liquor flavour. That works for me, because I prefer the liquor to not overpower the chocolate flavour.

Credit

Apart from the Nama chocolates, I heard that the potato chip chocolate is one fast seller too. Yes, that’s right. Chocolate-coated potato chips — two sins in one! As far as snacks go, this may well be the most sinful one! I hesitate to try it as it seems pretty lethal on the throat.

Credit

To get a taste of Royce’ magnificent candy, pop by one of their concept stores, where Japanese sales attendants would be more than happy to let you sample all five flavours. This store at Ion Orchard boasts a clean, white, almost clinical look, with refrigerators built into the wall.

Credit

May I also add that Royce’ chocolates is one of the best gifts from the “simple and affordable” category you can get for a friend (without appearing cheap), be it at Christmas, someone’s birthday or just to show that you care.

Enjoy!

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Hey Chocolat sent us a batch of her freshly baked cupcakes. She even made them in her signature flavour, the Original Darn Good Chocolate Cupcakes. That works for me; they ARE darn good!

Not only are the cupcakes wholly chocolate, each and every one of them has been painstakingly decorated with a cute little flag, too! The flags sport her pink logo from her baking business plus a personalised message. I LOVE it! Thank you!

Besides looking cute, the cupcakes taste super delicious, too! The dark chocolate icing on top is absolutely rich and satisfying. It gives new meaning to the phrase “delicious sin”!

As though that’s not enough, the cupcakes are also sprinkled with both dark and white chocolate chips for good measure. Biting into the cake yields another surprise — more chocolate chips hidden amidst the chocolate cake!

As far as chocolate cupcakes go, these are among the richest and most wholesome ones I’ve ever had! Darn good!

These cupcakes pack a punch, and at a very reasonable price, too. If anyone wants to a piece of this, order a box or two from Hey Chocolat. You can also book a slot at her baking workshops.

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]]> 9 http://sparklette.net/food/ricciotti/ http://sparklette.net/food/ricciotti/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:57:08 +0000 Veron Ang http://sparklette.net/?p=853 Here’s one dessert that I love most in the world — chocolate lava cake. Not even a bellyful of pork ribs and buffalo wings can keep me from wanting it once the craving kicks in!

It just so happens that we were in the vicinity of Ricciotti Italian Deli & Pastry, a deli that serves home style Italian food and, more importantly, a superb selection of desserts. It’s the perfect place for some sweet delights, with a view of the Singapore river to boot!

Soffiato
S$8.90++
Rating:

Everyday the pastries are freshly baked by the in-house chef. Soffiato is the name of their chocolate lava cake. Sprinkled with icing sugar and decorated with chocolate syrup, the warm cake is served with a scoop of vanilla gelato.

Update: On another trip to Ricciotti, we ordered the Soffiato again. This time round, they served cookies and cream gelato. It seems that the gelato flavour isn’t fixed.

With a long spoon, I push through the thick wall of cake into the moist centre, expecting to unleash a flood of molten dark chocolate. While most of it has been absorbed by the cake, you can still taste most of the warm, rich chocolate. Simply satisfying! We recommend popping by the deli early in the day when the confectionery is fresh out of the oven.

Morbida
S$7.80++
Rating:

Chocolate mousse takes the #2 spot on my dessert chart. It seems that not many places have it, so I’m delighted to see it on Ricciotti’s dessert menu in the form of the Morbida!

This is a chocoholic’s dream come true. Scraping the mound from top to bottom in layers reveals the rich and silky smooth mousse. Yum!

And that’s not even the best part.

Nearing the centre of the sponge cake, that’s when luscious liquid chocolate starts oozing out! Now THAT is a surprise!

There are even little pieces of hard chocolate scattered within the sticky chocolate goo. So you get chocolate in various textures and forms all in one pastry! Wow!

Latte
S$5.80++
Rating:

Of course, we have to wash down all that sinful but oh-so-good chocolate with water and coffee. Mmm… I like the latte. Creamy, velvety and not too milky. Throw in some coffee art and it’d be perfect!

Alternatively, you can have your pick from the well-stocked timber shelves of wines. Doesn’t the colour scheme of dark brown and white enhance the mood of enjoying the chocolate bliss?

Don’t forget you can also buy the desserts as take-outs. Share them with your family! (there’s an outlet at China square, too.)

Addiction cures, however, are not included.

Ricciotti Italian Deli & Pastry
The Riverwalk
20 Upper Circular Road #B1-49/50
Singapore 058416
Tel: +65 6533 9060
Service:
www.ricciotti.com.sg

Bus services: 51, 61, 63, 80, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 851, 961, 961C
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

Opening hours: 10am – 11pm daily

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Kyoto Foodie is a foodie blog that brings the culinary culture of Kyoto to the rest of the world. This time, they are doing it quite literally!

Simply by submitting your great ideas on how they can improve their blog, you may get to taste a piece of Kyoto. For the most interesting and “insanely great” ideas, Kyoto foodie promises to reward you with delicious “junk food”, delivered right to your doorstep anywhere in the world!

Lucky me got a taste of these fabulous Japanese treats, exactly what I’m missing from my Kyoto trip last year.

Here’s a preview of the yummies you may get!

Have you ever seen kit kat bars that come in green?

Now and then, different renditions of this favourite chocolate confection are made available in select countries during certain periods of time. This limited seasonal edition of kit kat in matcha (green tea) flavour is only available in Japan. It’s a unique shade of green — the colour of green tea!

The wafer sticks are made up of white chocolate and green tea. As you bite into these, not only can you detect the faint aroma, you can really taste the distinct flavour of green tea too!

Another matcha delight comes in the form of this 8-piece box of Choco Dutsumi Chocolate in matcha mochi. Mochi is a Japanese sticky rice ball shaped from cooked glutinous rice that’s been pounded into paste. After enduring the sweltering heat (wave) here in Singapore, the light dusting of powder on the mochi covering is gone. Nonetheless, this treat still remains yummy with its creme interior.

These pieces of creamy white chocolate candy taste of whipped vanilla cream. There’s even a surprise find when you get to the centre of the candy — a piece of salted marshmallow! For someone that is used to candy being sweet, salted candy is a first for me!

Chocolate flavoured with ground up sakura! This sure sounds like a delicacy to those of us from the rest of the world. I love the lovely shade of baby pink, dusted with tiny specks of chocolate all over. You can’t get candy that’s any prettier than this, can you?

Well, if you are curious about these Japanese candy and would like to win some for yourself, pop over to Kyoto Foodie and suggest ways that they can improve.

Their survey ends May 16, 2011 (2359 hours). So hurry!

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I can still vividly remember the richness of their hot chocolate from my first visit late last year. The chocolate is so thick and rich, a (hug) mug of it is practically enough to curb all chocolate cravings for a week.

But this time round, we got to sample something even better from their desserts menu. This particular dessert is filled with all things nice and good, and I feel it warrants a whole blog post of its own!

It’s the Melting Marshmallow Crêpe!

Melting Marshmallow Crêpe
S$10++
Rating:

I’m not a huge fan of crêpes in general, but with a name as delicious-sounding as that, who can possibly say no right? With all the chocolate sauce drizzled generously over the crêpe, the whole dish just looks so pretty, delectable and lovely! It was definitely love at first sight.

Plus, it has everything a girl would love…

Strawberries, check.

Chocolate sauce, check.

Vanilla ice cream, check.

Melted marshmallow, check, with extra, extra brownie points!

Look, there are even gummy bears! That is so adorable! I can just imagine the chef arranging those colourful bears on the side of the plate with glee. With so many different goodies spread out on one plate, it’s hard not to spend minutes gushing over it.

For me personally, the warm melted marshmallow is the best part. This gooey goodness forms the entire filling for the thin French crêpe. Wait, I think there might have been melted white chocolate in it too. I love the way it stretches on the fork, kind of like cheese on a pizza slice! And I swear it tastes even better than it looks.

The sides of vanilla ice cream and strawberries are just the right complements. If you find that you have had too much chocolate (if there even is such a thing as too much chocolate), then the melting marshmallow crêpe really is the perfect counterbalance for you.

Max Brenner
Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue #01-06/08
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 6235 9556 | Website
Service:

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