To make Black Sesame desserts, that are very popular in Japan, I used to use Black Sesame Paste called ‘Neri-goma’ which texture is similar to Tahini. However, here in Melbourne where I live, I can’t find it. I have to grind Toasted Black Sesame Seeds using a ‘Suribachi’, the Japanese mortar, that works better than …
I heard that ‘Scoop Cake’ has recently become quite popular in Japan. I believe it has been strongly influenced by the English dessert ‘Trifle’. However, ‘Scoop Cake’ in Japan is more like a shortcake in a bowl. It can be made with the clumsiest hands, because the sponge cake doesn’t have to be perfectly baked …
I had a bag of leftover 1 cup Almond Meal that was already mixed with 1/2 cup Caster Sugar. It’d been in the pantry for a while and I had to use it up. I was looking for a recipe that I could use it for, and found my ‘Sachi’s Coconut Cookies’ recipe. I replaced …
The popular French cake ‘Friand’ is well known as ‘Financier’ in Japan, and they are usually baked in the shape of Bar of Gold. ‘Financier’ means ‘Financial’, and that’s why ‘Financier’ cakes are in that shape. I don’t have such specialised tins, so I bake them using muffin tins. Makes 8 Cakes Ingredients 100g Butter …
Christmas has passed and now I have some leftover Dried Mixed Fruit. What would you make with it? Cake, Cookies, OR add it to your Granola? Today I baked Biscotti for the first time in a long time to use up the leftover Dried Fruit. Makes 24 to 28 Biscuits Ingredients 1/2 to 1 cup …
You have a little bit of Cream Cheese leftover and you want to use it up? Try Shortbread replacing some of Butter with Cream Cheese. For this recipe, the amount of Butter is supposed to be 125g. I used 60g Cream Cheese and 65g Butter. You can alter the ratio. Makes 24 x 4cm square …
On the other day, I was making Pound Cake. I decided to add ‘Tsubu-an’ (Sweet Azuki Paste) as I often add extra ingredients to it. For a flavour, I decided to add Rum instead of Vanilla. Then an accident happened! Because of my shaky hands, a lot more Rum than I meant to add had …
I have recently seen Christmas Tree cupcakes on many websites. The green-colour cream of those cupcakes was most likely coloured with food colouring. My first choice for green colour is Matcha, not food colouring. I altered my ‘Chestnut Cupcakes’ to create my Christmas Cupcakes. Matcha lovers would enjoy them! Makes 12 Cupcakes Ingredients Basic Plain …
This ‘Sugar Coated Sweet Potato Sticks’ are called ‘Imo Kempi’ in Japan and it was one of my favourite childhood snacks. It is really easy to make, but not so easy to make them super crunchy like the ones from shops. Today I could make them for the first time in many years thanks to …
December nears and shops are full of Christmas foods. I saw ‘Stollen’ in an ALDI store and the ‘Stollen’, that was made with so many ingredients including Palm Oil and Preservatives, inspired me to make this Sultana Bread Cake. I used commonly available natural ingredients only. Makes 30cm Log Ingredients 1/2 to 1 cup Rum …
There is a Japanese sweet called ‘Imo Yōkan’, that is made with Japanese Sweet Potato. I have been trying to make it using Australian common orange-colour Sweet Potato in some traditional methods, and no method worked well. So, I decided to make it in a very different way. Finally, I am happy with this cake, …
When I want to use up Egg White, ‘Langues de Chat’ Biscuits is what I most often make. Ingredients are easy to remember. You need same weight of 4 ingredients, that are Egg White, Butter, Sugar and Flour. Today I added Matcha Powder. Makes 24 Small Biscuits Ingredients *Note: First you weigh the Egg White. …
Sponge for Roll Cake should be moist and soft. Dry Sponge, especially if it is thick, tends to break when you roll it up. My Swiss Roll Pan is about 33cm x 23cm in size. This Sponge would be about 12mm thick, when baked. Cake Tin Swiss Roll Pan Ingredients Sponge4 Eggs *at room temperature1/3 …
‘Corone’ OR ‘Korone’ (コロネ) is cornet-shaped sweet buns, most commonly filled with custard or chocolate custard. It originated in Japan. It is very similar to Cream Horns, but ‘Corone’ is sweet bread. Using my ‘Basic Sweet Bread Dough’, it’s not hard to make at home. Makes 8 Buns Ingredients 1/2 cup Warm Milk1 to 2 …
By adding extra ingredients to my ‘Basic Plain Muffin’, you can create a variety of Muffins. Today I added Matcha Powder and White Chocolate. You can use Dark Chocolate instead. You might wish to add Nuts as well. Walnuts would be nice. Macadamia Nuts would be lovely. Create your own Matcha Muffins. Makes 12 Muffins …