17 December …Today is a special day of my very special person who turns 34++ this year. I would like to wish him a happy birthday and here is my wish …
"A very happy birthday to you, my dear hubby. May you have blissful days ahead and enjoy the life together with me"
…. As both of us are working today, we will only be celebrating it on coming weekend.
There are a few special days for us in December and we’ve just celebrated our very special day not too long ago. To be exact, it was on last Monday. Yes, it was our 1st Anniversary which fell on 14 December. Since the two special days, birthday and anniversary, are quite near, I just baked only one cake for both days. And you know what, the cake is also my very first layer cake. It was a Durian layer cake. Yeah I knew it should be a chocolate cake for these occasions, as a representation of romance and love but I still decided to bake a Durian cake as I wanted to try it out as my first layer cake. I am a kinda stubborn person sometimes :D .
As you can see in the pictures, my decorating skill is quite poor. But, I think it is still acceptable as a very first trial. * convincing myself* lol. But, seriously, more practices are required. OK , well, enough of talking, here is the recipe and method.
Ingredients for Sponge (Cake recipe is adapted from HHB's birthday cake)
- 3 Egg whites , 3 Egg yolks(at room temperature)
- 20gms of melted butter
- 80 gms of sugar
- 100 gms of cake flour (sifted)
- 2 Tbs of milk-
- 1tsp of vanilla extract
Method:
- In a mixer,whisk egg yolks until smooth and creamy. After 1 minute, add 2 Tbs of sugar and continue to mix until thick mixture is formed. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and set aside.
- Whisk egg whites together with vanilla extract until white and frothy. Add remaining sugar and continue to mix until stiff.
- Fold in number (1)into egg white mixture gently.
- Add the cake flour (I separated it into 2 batches to add) followed by melted butter and
- milk into the batter .Mix well after each addition. Pls take care not to deflate the mixture.
- Pour the batter into 16cm baking pan (round) and bake in 180 degree C preheated oven for 30 mins.
- Remove from oven and leave it to cool.
Fillings
- 100grams of Durian flesh (blended)
- 100ml of whipping cream
Assembling the cake
- Whip the cream for about 2 minutes. Mix well with blended Durian flesh.
- Slice the cake (horizontally) into 2 layers.
- Brush both surfaces of the cakes with sugar syrup
- Spread the cream-Durian mixture on the 1st layer and cover with 2nd layer.
- Brush the whole cake with sugar syrup again. Cover the whole cake with remaining cream-Durian mixture. Decorate as desired (For me, I sprinkle some Cocoa powder on top)
- Chill in the fridge for about 3 hours before serving.
- Slice the cake and serve. Enjoy!