Pandan Chiffon Cake 班蘭雪紡蛋糕

Don't be mistaken by the color of this cake. It is not from artificial coloring. It is from the chlorophyll of pandan. Pandan leaves are very popular in South East Asia. They are widely used in making rice, main dishes and desserts. It is best to use fresh leaves but here in North America, we have to settle for frozen ones.

It takes a little bit of planning in making this pandan chiffon cake, unless you prefer to use artificial pandan flavoring or canned pandan juice because it takes a few days for the pandan juice to settle so that the bitter liquid will be separated from the flavorful juice. (If you have access to a centrifuge, it will take a few minutes rather than a few days.) See notes on how to make the juice.

The aroma of this cake is unbelievable. The scent of pandan is very unique. It has a nick name: "vanilla of the East". I didn't use any frosting or garnishes on this cake because I do not want anything to mask its aroma and flavor. It is very good by itself!

Lemon Chiffon Cake with Ginger Mousse 薑汁慕絲雪紡蛋糕

If there were a movie rating for desserts or cakes, I would rate this cake an "R"--adults only! Kids may be too young to appreciate ginger's pungent sensation. This is why I only made two small (4 inches) cakes. My husband raved about it after one bite and would not share with me.

Mont Blanc 蒙布朗

It is not the fine writing pen you are thinking of (if you Google the term, it is what comes up on the first page). It is the highest mountain in the Alps. A pastry chef (not sure he was French or Italian. Probably French.) was inspired by it to create this famous dessert in the fifteenth century. It has a cake base with Chantilly cream in the middle, topped with a creamy chestnut puree. Since it has a long history, many different versions or variations are available. The Japanese have made it with pumpkin and taro puree. However, I still prefer to make the original with yummy chestnut puree.

Green Tea Cake Roll 綠茶蛋卷

Going green is a global trend. It is not just good for the environment but it is also good for our health. There is increasing evidence that drinking green tea is beneficial to our bodies. Green tea is also helpful in weight loss as well. (Click here for more information) No wonder the Japanese, who are heavy green tea drinkers, are generally slimmer and look younger than other ethnic groups.

I bought a bag of green tea powder/matcha powder from an Asian grocery store but it does not have any flavor or color. Then, I recently bought a different bottle from a Japanese store. Although it is expensive ($10/ounce), its flavor is very intense and the color is much more vivid than the other one from the grocery store. Sometimes, it is a waste of money to buy imitations. :(

Dragon Cake Roll 彩龍蛋糕卷

I believe baking is science, but at the same time it is a work of art. Having good presentation can make what you cook have a whole world of difference. After all, we are built to be attracted by what we see. If you put in front of some children two differently presented dishes composed of the same food, most, if not all, of the children will pick the one that is beautiful, attractive and thoughtfully presented. It is just human nature.

Strawberry and Blueberry Trifle 雜果三層蛋糕杯

Do you have a hard time deciding what to bring to a potluck party? I do, sometimes. I try not to bring the same type of food every time. Even if I bring dessert, I will try to make different ones.

This trifle is simple to make. It is meant to be served in a glass to showcase the three layers: chiboust cream, cake and fruits. Instead of making a fresh fruit and pastry cream cake, it will make a different impression to serve in a wine glass. Just let your creativity lead you!

Fraisier 法式草莓蛋糕

I have been trying to make this cake for a long time. The traditional fraisier is made in a square mousse ring. Since I do not have a square mousse ring, I didn't know how it would turn out if I used a round springform pan. But strawberries are in season and I just don't want to pass up this opportunity...

Orange Chiffon Cake 香橙雪紡蛋糕

Chiffon cake is an all American invention. An American sales person, not a cook or pastry chef, came up with this popular cake that made with oil instead of butter. This sponge cake is very light and airy and can be made in a lot of different flavors. This orange cake is one of them. The freshly squeezed orange juice, the zest and the orange liquor all contribute to its great refreshing taste.

Strawberry Mousse Cake 士多啤梨慕絲蛋糕

You can always tell summer is here when you enter a grocery market and see all the fruits with beautiful colors. And the smell of fresh berries are so attractive. We had mango madness not too long ago. Now it is strawberry's turn !! I started out with strawberry soufflé . And I've tried mango mousse cake , how about a strawberry mousse cake !!

Mango Mousse Cake 芒果慕絲蛋糕

After having the Mango Cheesecake a few weeks ago for his birthday, my son insisted for me to make a mango mousse cake. It seems that the crave for mango has kicked off!

I have made mango mousse cake a few times but this time I tried a slightly different recipe and it turned out better than before.

Guilt-free Chocolate Chiffon Cake 朱古力雪纺蛋糕

This chocolate chiffon cake has been rated the best in my household for a chiffon cake. Light and full of chocolate flavor, this cake can be served plain or with chocolate ganache glaze or whipped cream. Chiffon cake is often preferred over other buttery cakes because it is free of animal fat and therefore much healthier. Whatever way, it is good as a dessert or an afternoon snack.