Comfort Baking

Tall & Fluffy Pandan Chiffon Cake

I have heard about comfort food but is there such thing as comfort baking? Well, there is, at least for me. Baking can be very therapeutic, particularly when you are baking stuff that you have baked a few times before - those tried & tested recipes that everyone likes.


Walnut Raisin Bread

Clearing Leftovers! (Pandan Walnut Chiffon Cake, Light AnzacBiscuits, Apple Cheddar Muffins, Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread)

First of all, I have to confess the recipes of choice today were picked based on some leftover ingredients that I have used before and needed to finish up before they spoil.

1st leftover ingredient: 3/4 packet coconut milk
Finished product: Pandan Walnut Chiffon Cake

It has been awhile since I last baked this. This is a thoroughly tried and tested recipe and my favourite chiffon cake recipe among a few others that I have tried. Recipe is by Amy Beh (try searching on cyberkuali.com). Always "gone in no time", it remains as a huge hit among my nephews and nieces. Basically, this cake is always baked for them. In an attempt to add a new twist to the recipe, I added some walnuts to make it more interesting.

2nd leftover ingredient: About 1/4 packet of rolled oats
Finished product: Light Anzac Biscuits

Have been wanting to bake myself some Anzac Biscuits since I received some from a BBM event some time ago. The recipe that I used here is a "lighter" version from Cooking Light. Not bad!

3rd leftover ingredient: 1 apple and some leftover cheddar cheese block
Finished product: Apple Cheese Muffins

Ah, need to use up the remaining cheddar cheese block before it starts to ferment and go to waste. Coincidentally, I have one (not-exactly-fresh) apple in the fridge that no one wants. Just perfect for this recipe. Slightly sweet and salty at the same time, it provides an interesting change to the usual sweet muffins that I baked.

Filled with apple chunks!

And also a "No-Knead" Raisin Cinnamon Bread after coming home from the Sunday Bubbly Brunch (check out the post above)

2 Bread and a Muffin (Raisin Plait, Oatmeal Carrot Bread and Sweet Corn Muffin)

Bad news for me! My bread machine died on me after faithfully serving me for 1 year and 4 months. Rather short-lived, wouldn't you say? Then again, it was used almost every day to make bread for my family. The brand is Empress and I got it for quite a bargain from Cosway. About RM199, I think.
Due to this, I have to manually knead the bread dough. I think till I have a working bread machine again, no more bread-making for me.

Raisin Plait topped with Cheddar Cheese (recipe from Alex Goh)


Oatmeal Carrot Bread (recipe based on Alex Goh's)



Sweet Corn Muffin (recipe here)

Monday's Breakfast: Mocha Raisin & Walnut Wholemeal Buns

Nice with a big cup of coffee! Mocha Wholemeal Raisin & Walnut Buns.

Recipe given by aunty:
310g bread flour + 40g wholemeal flour (sifted)
1/4t salt
1/4t Softpro
9g instant yeast
30g sugar + 20g brown sugar
40g softened butter
1tsp instant coffee diluted in 1/2 cup warm milk
1-2 T cocoa powder
1 egg (lightly beaten)
At the beep for adding fruits & nuts: Add 30g toasted walnuts and about 1/4c of raisins. (Add more or less to suit your taste)
Put everything in the breadmaker machine in order recommended by your breadmachine manual. Knead until dough is eleastic and not sticky. Take out and roll it out into a rectangular shape on a floured surface. Roll into a log shape and cut into 60g portions. Shape each portion into a ball. Cover and let rise until double in size. Brush top with water and sprinkle with some oats. Bake in preheated oven at 190c for 12-15 minutes or until nicely browned.

Monday's Breakfast: Incredibly Soft Honey Walnut & Golden Raisin Whole-Wheat Bread

What I baked for breakfast today, the Incredibly Soft Honey Walnut & Golden Raisin Whole-Wheat Bread.

Monday's Breakfast: Cheese & Raisin Sugar Loaf

Bought a block of cheddar cheese on sale so I decided to bake Cheese & Raisin Sugar Loaf for breakfast today.

Monday's Breakfast: Pandan Raisin Buns

For today's breakfast, Pandan Raisin Buns with Crumble toppings (yet another recipe from Alex Goh's "World of Bread"). Basically a sweet bun recipe that uses raisins, coconut milk and pandan juice/paste. I used pandan paste that also contains colouring, hence the slightly garish-looking green colour. But otherwise, it is still nice.