Home Baking Series: Faux Choco Brownie with Sprinkles

The newbie baker in me will feature another home baked goodie this week. Still using the same mix as last week's item, the Chocolate Sponge Cake mix served as the base for these hybrid brownies. I call it hybrid because it turned out to be a brownie for some parts, but a sponge cake for some parts.

Feeling a bit more experimental, instead of just pouring the whole mix into the baking pan, I added an extra middle layer. I prepared the mix by following the instructions on the packaging, then melted some white chocolate, and poured the mixes as follows:

1. Poured half of the cake mix into the pan.
2. Poured melted Goya Easy Melt White Chocolate Buttons into the pan to cover the whole surface.
3. Added some walnuts.
4. Poured in the remaining cake mix.

Following the baking instructions, I left it in the oven for 20 mins (temperature settings also indicated at the back of the mix packaging).

While it was fresh and hot, I put some of the Easy Melt Dark Chocolate Buttons and spread it on top as it melted. Before it hardened, I also sprinkled it with rainbow candy sprinkles for some color.

Slicing the output, I noticed that it had a fudgy center, probably from the melted white chocolate that seeped in through the cake. It was gooey and sweet. The dark chocolate coating on top added a little crunch. The occasional walnuts added texture too.

After leaving some overnight in the refrigerator to cool, the white chocolate middle layer was more evident and also had a little crunch to it.

It was a tasty good experiment indeed.


Like us on Facebook!

Home Baking Series: Choco Walnut Cake

There was an abundance of Buy 1 Take 1 Tesco branded baking mixes last holiday season so I took the opportunity to try out some of the items and practice baking a little. This February, let me share to you my home baking adventures.

For my first trial, I used a Chocolate Sponge Cake mix. You only need 2 eggs and some tablespoons of water and the mix is ready (quantity and preparation instructions are indicated on the packaging).

Of course I had to put toppings. For this one, a generous amount of walnuts and dark chocolate chunks did the trick. I used chopped Goya Dark Chocolate Buttons and unseasoned walnuts from Dough-it-all.

Since I used a pretty wide square pan, the finished product resembled brownies in size and shape, but had the fluffy, airy quality of a sponge cake. The cake itself was not that sweet. You can go ahead and add icing on top if you want something more sugary.

It was easy to prepare. Mix it, add toppings, then bake - you are done.

Not bad for my first try, right? Sadly, I don't have photos of the ingredients nor the preparation stage for the baking series. But I'll try to recall the procedures and ingredients used for the rest of the posts. Everything I did was quite simple and easy to make.


More DIY baked goodies to follow this month of February!




Like us on Facebook!

Year 2015 Dessert Compilation Special

As how every meal traditionally ends, we are ending this compilation special with a dessert list. See all the dessert related posts this 2015 HERE.

Most memorable dessert picks below! Arranged in no particular order. Click on the label for the full write up.


Baskin Robbins

Starting off the list with a 3 scoop ice cream cup! [read me]


Bar Dolci Gelato

Who does not want gelato at 50% off! [read me]



Larcy's Cupcakes

Our adventure towards the Paranaque area started here. [read me]


Theo and Philo Chocolates

Dessert is not always that sweet. Deep dark chocolates are counted too. Including the ones with unconventional flavors. [read me]


Sebastian's Limited Edition Valentines Special 

Ice cream flavors inspired by the season of love! [read me]



Cafe Mary Grace Mango Bene Cake 

What is a dessert list without a cake? Fruit and layers of meringue featured in this one. [read me]


Like us on Facebook!

Year 2015 Western/European Food Compilation Special

Moving on to the other side of the globe, we explore Western and European fare. Here are our picks from 2015. Click on the labels to see the complete write-up.

House of Wagyu Stone Grill

I must say, this is one of the best steaks I have tasted! This photo does not capture how tasty the meat was. [...read me]


8 Cuts burger Blends

One of the first food trips we had last 2015. The bacon and burger combo got me. [...read me]


Green Pastures

Healthy can also mean tasty. [...read me]



Ble

Off to meat and spices of a more uncommon cuisine. [...read me]



California Pizza Kitchen

Dined here during their National Pizza Day and got a free pizza and shirt. Loved their Farmer's Pizza! [...read me]




Like us on Facebook!

CBTL Open House 2016: Vanilla Almond Ice Blended

Welcome a light and sweet concoction for this year's Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Open House.

I recently purchased a Swirl Rewards card that gives you cash back, free wifi at any CBTL store, and access to special promotions like this. Looking back, I should have purchased one before I started collecting stamps for my Giving Journal 2016 to gain the cash back/points that can be used to purchase menu items.

Just by showing my activated Swirl card, I got a free Vanilla Almond Ice Blended (regular size). What a treat! This was available for free between 10am to 11:30am today, January 17. I ordered mine without whipped cream.

True to its tag line, it was light and sweet. Perfect for those who want a sugary milky dose of caffeine.


Branch visited located at: SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City

Like us on Facebook!

Year 2015 Asian Food Compilation Special

Time to look back at the other cuisines we have tried in 2015. Let's have a look at our favorite Asian food places this week. Click on the labels to read the full write-up!

Seryna

The best and most memorable Asian themed restaurant we went to this year. Of course a Japanese restaurant would be favored. If you haven't figured out yet, Japanese is one of my favorites. [...read me]


Jang Ga Nae

Memorable because of the adventure we had going there. Good Korean food too. [..read me]

Jatujak 

Tried out a new cuisine with a delivery discount. Discovered Pad Thai and Thai flavors on this one. [...read me]



Four Seasons Hot Pot Buffet 

Since hot pot originated from Asian countries, this hot pot buffet is included in our compilation.
[...read me]


Banzai: The Great Teppanyaki theater 

Yet another buffet and another Japanese themed restaurant in this list! [...read me]

 View more Asian food adventures HERE.

Like us on Facebook!

Year 2015 Filipino Food Compilation Special

Happy New Year!!!! It has been about a week since 2016 started. Continuing the journey with a flashback, let's take a look at the Pinoy dishes we had for 2015. View a list of all the Filipino restaurants we tried here. We have also listed some of the favorite Filipino dishes we tried in 2015. Click the labels of the photos below to see the full write-up.



Mesa's 12 Baked Scallops

Seafood appetizer! I just remember how we started 2015 with a New Year lunch at Mesa and had this tasty appetizer. [...read me]


Nipa Hut's Kare Kare and Bulalo

A little far from where we usually dine, this place will be remembered for both its food and the view it offers. [...read me]


Manam's Turon with Mango and Kesong Puti

Could be a snack, could be a dessert. Turon's crispiness plus sweet and salty flavors is a sure merienda or dessert treat. [...read me]


KKK's Tibok tibok

Two dessert items on this list! Dessert should be equally good as the main dishes in every meal. [...read me]



Barbara's Cultural Experience at Intramuros

Sometimes, it's not all about the food. The ambiance and location also contributes to the dining experience. Situated within the walled city, just across San Agustin church which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and within Casa Manila, this is a good venue to feel the historical Filipino vibe. [...read me]


View a list of all the Filipino restaurants we tried in 2015 here.

Like us on Facebook!

Caffe Bene: Holiday Drinks Part 4

Off to the last part of our holiday drinks series! But first, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone! We were around the Paranaque area and tried a holiday drink offered at Caffe Bene. The commute was a little tiring and we needed a little something to put us back on track.

Iced Green Tea Macchiato

Earth-y toned, the brown caramel and the green matcha created a very needed thrist quencher. Ice and cream laced the top view of this cup. The sweetness from the caramel blended well with the strong herb taste of matcha. It's like being exciting while still being serious.

They also offered some holiday mini cakes. Tempted to try one but we opted to head over to our next stop where we will actually have our lunch. Watch out for our sushi place visit soon *guess where*!

There we go, our last post for 2015. Thank you everyone for a food-filled 2015! See you all again next year! Stay tuned for 2015 recap series this January 2016.


Like us on Facebook!

Serenitea: Holiday Drinks Part 3

It's that time of the year when Serenitea's Jumbo cups awake from their year-long slumber. I was finally able to pass by a store during the promo period after attempting for the past 2 years.

Though the service was little slow (maybe because they just opened), we spent our time deciding on what variant to get. We specifically ordered less ice and a lower sweetness level. Only pearls were the available sinkers at that time. Here were our orders:


Okinawa Milk Tea

Serenitea's popular brown sugar based milk tea (left). Notice the slightly browner color.


Emperor Milk Tea

Royal milk tea was used for your highness, Emperor milk tea (right).

This whole jumbo cup lasted until the early afternoon! See you next year, jumbo cups!



Branch visited located at: Two Ecom, Pasay City

Like us on Facebook!

Starbucks: Holiday Drinks Part 2

Another popular coffee shop with their planner and holiday menu is Starbucks. Aside from the staple Peppermint Mocha and the Toffee Nut Latte, the third special drink this year is the Christmas Pannetone Latte. I ought to try this one with the "bread and butter" flavors.


Christmas Pannetone Latte

With cheesecakes, red velvet cakes, and other pastries being turned into drinks, some kind of fruit cake is bound to be next. Pannetone is an Italian fruit cake. A lone fruit bit remains on top as all the other fruit bits already sank to the bottom. Ordered this one hot and took a sip after a quick stir.  The fruit cake flavors were somewhat there in the drink. It became more evident by the last sips of the coffee since that was where all the fruit bits were.


Penguin Gingerbread

Had this little cutie accompany my coffee and to increase the holiday feel. It was actually bigger than expected. I thought I could finish it in two bites but it was bigger than the size of my palm. The cookie itself was not sweet. It was the penguin design that gave the needed sugar. My only concern was every time I took a bite off the black part, it stained my teeth and lips a bluish-black shade.


Like us on Facebook!

CBTL: Holiday Drinks Part 1

It's holiday season once again. What does this mean for coffee shops? The usual caffeine boost gets dressed up with extra sweetness. Aside from the planner you can avail for a certain number of purchases, special limited edition drinks become available at coffee shops this time of the year. These are usually on the sweeter side for more holiday cheer. I don't usually go to coffee shops to get coffee but this year I'm extra curious to sample a few limited edition drinks.

Winter Dream Tea

First off, we visited Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. That day was a day I preferred tea over coffee so I got the Winter Dream Tea. You can immediately get a whiff of the spices. Isn't that a cinnamon scent? Traces of milky vanilla and herb-tea flavors are mixed in the ice topped cup.


Toffee Nut Latte

A few days later I also tried their Toffee Nut Latte Ice Blended version at another branch. This offers a caramel-sweet twist to coffee.

Like us on Facebook!