Home Baking Series: Choco Marble Cake

After chocolate sponge cake trials, here's my attempt in making a marble cake. This time, I used the plain spongecake mix.

Ingredients:
1 pack Tecso sponge cake mix
1 egg
water
melted chocolate
walnuts

Procedure:
1) Prepare sponge cake mix with egg and water as per instructions at the back of the cake mix pack
2) Pour in half of the mix
3) Scatter walnuts
4) Pour in the second half
5) Pour the melted chocolate
6) Mix lightly to create marble swirls
7) Top with walnuts
8) Bake in the oven following the instructions at the back of the cake mix pack.

Fluffy and airy, as expected from a sponge cake, but with the chocolate swirls of a marble cake plus a layer of walnuts, is the output for this one.

The pre-made mix really makes the procedure easier.


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Sebastian's Limited Edition Valentine's Ice Cream 2016

Last year, we had a taste of a Matinong Boyfriend ice cream from Sebastian's. This year, they introduce a new Boyfriend and Girlfriend.

Closure and Unresolved Issues are still present in the Valentine's line up. For the Matinong Girlfriend, from a potato chip snack hybrid, we now get a Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Chicharon (with laman)! I got a free taste to try this, the rich chocolate flavor surprisingly went well with the salty chicharon. Don't expect crispiness, but expect pieces of that laman.

This photo above also features some of the Sebastian's regular ice cream flavors. Yes, Salted Egg Yolk is a regular flavor.

Matinong Boyfriend

My one order of Matinong Boyfriend ice cream was composed of a Dulce de Leche Ice Cream base and swirls of Strawberry Sorbet. The ice cream was milky sweet. It might be a little too sweet for me if consumed alone. But with the swirls of sour strawberry sorbet, it balanced out the sweetness and formed a good relationship with my taste buds.

Although I kind of miss the old boyfriend which was Passion Fruit Sansrival Ice Cream with Passion Fruit sorbet, this one is a good treat as well.

Is Sebastian's changing up their boyfriend and girlfriend formulas again next year? We'll have to wait another year to find out. But I'm sure it will have that signature uniqueness.



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Krispy Kreme: Emoji Magic Coupon

Valentine's Season isn't over yet!

Get 2 sprinkled donuts with 5 emojis for free! Yes, you can get free doughnuts and design it with emojis. I brought 2 friends with me so 3 people with 2 sprinkled doughnuts each, we got 6 doughnuts in total. To redeem, just follow the easy steps below.

1) Download the Krispy Kreme app and create and click Sign Up to create your account.
2) Check the question posted in Krispy Kreme's Facebook page.
3) Enter the answer in the enter coupon code portion of the app (Rewards > Enter Promo Code). You then receive an electronic coupon.
4) Present the electronic coupon to a Krispy Kreme store to redeem.

We weren't able to stick the emoji's on the doughnut since it was already covered with sprinkles and the glaze was no longer sticky. Instead, we just put the emojis on top of the doughnut and took pictures. Then at one point, we stuck one end of the emoji on the dough so that it won't slide away.

But be quick! Each coupon is only valid for 3 days. The coupon we availed is valid only on Feb 18 - Feb 20. And according to their Facebook page, they have other things lined up for the rest of February. Wonder what we'll get next time?


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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.


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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!




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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]


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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]




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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

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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.

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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.

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