Full month cakes!

Today is THE day I deliver the American carrot cakes and red eggs to the S Family.

Here are the photos as promised:

The eggs were hard boiled in vinegar, salt and water, then submerged in red food dye mixed with hot water for about 3 seconds.

This is the 9-inch cake.  I didn't want the red eggs rolling around in the box, so I taped the small muffin cases to the side of the box and dropped in the eggs!

Here's the 5-inch cake with Hershey's mini chocolate chips.

I found some cute ribbons for the occasion.  Here's a pink and purple one with Precious Baby girl on it.

The second cute ribbon have tiny footprints!  SO cute!

I hope the S Family likes them.  Happy one month, Aletheia!!

Cupcakes for Friends

I baked some American carrot cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting last night for my friends today.  Surprisingly most people like Hershey's chocolate chips on the light, fluffy frosting.  They seem to go quite well together.  I cut down on the brown sugar in the cake so the sweet frosting is a welcome companion.

Here are the 12 cupcakes boxed up.  I used Hershey's mini chocolate chips.

All done up with a lovely blue metallic ribbon and ready to go.  I hope my friends like the cupcakes!

The carrot cakes for J and D have been duly baked and in the refrigerator waiting to be iced tonight.  I'll be cooking the red eggs tomorrow morning and then off to deliver the goodies after lunch.

Check back next week for more photos!

Red Eggs

According to Chinese customs, when a baby turns one month old, a ceremony is held to celebrate her first full moon. This also coincides with the end of the mother's confinement period, and both mother and baby are formally introduced for the first time. Relatives and friends gather to give their blessings and gifts to the new baby, and traditional treats such as ang ku kueh and red eggs are featured.

This weekend I'll be making red eggs and American carrot cakes for J and D's baby's full month celebrations.  I thought I'd try one of the recipes I found on the internet.  First I boiled the eggs with water, vinegar and salt, using the same method for making hard boiled eggs.  Vinegar and salt are supposed to dissolve the waxy covering on eggs and make absorption of the red food colouring easier.  While the eggs were hot I took them out of the boiling water and submerged them in a red colouring I had prepared earlier.  Then I took the eggs out and wiped them dry with a kitchen paper towel and left them to cool.  I then added a ribbon.

Now I'm off to check on my cakes!

One-month celebrations for Aletheia S

J, D and Emma S will be celebrating their beautiful baby/sister Aletheia's first month in the family next weekend.  I've been given the privilege to bake a few American carrot cakes for this occasion.  D also wanted some plastic boxes to pack the traditional ang ku kuey and red eggs so I got these for her.

The carrot cakes will be miniature 5-inch cakes complete with cream cheese frosting and walnuts.  I'm still thinking if I should do the colourful sprinkles since it's a celebration cake.  What do you think, D?  Colourful sprinkles or just Hershey's chocolate chips?

Can't wait to get started!  Must remember to take lots of photos to share with you!

Meanwhile, have a great weekend!  And congratulations again, J, D and Emma!