Sweet Treat corner - Yonnie bakes cakes
Published:Thursday | January 16, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Krysta Anderson, Food Writer
Many of us have a sweet tooth, and, in my experience, there is nothing more satisfying than giving in to that craving by treating yourself to something sweet and yummy. Well, fasten your seatbelts! You are in for a delicious ride with some exciting sweet treats. Food has decided to honour this rewarding indulgence by dedicating a corner to all things sweet. We will be focusing on those who foster the strong tradition of home-style baking and bring some of their favourite treats to you to enjoy in your home.
It was Gail Simmons who once said, "There is no better way to bring people together than with desserts." No one can attest to this more than Yonnie Yee Keow, who has gathered both family and friends to enjoy her scrumptious desserts. This week, we visited her home and were we in for a Sweet Treat.
Affectionately called Judy, Ms P, or Mommy, Yee Keow told Food, "It is a tradition passed down from my mother to my sister and me. My sister would follow the recipes exactly, but I would take some risks, adding my own little spin."
Baking and decorating birthday cakes for her children, this occasional indulgence evolved into weekly baking sessions. "I just love to bake. Baking was always really fun for me and my idea of fun is to do it when I want to."
With chocolate, carrot and red velvet cupcakes baked to perfection, all they needed were the final touches - a topping of whipped cream, some sprinkles and a cherry on top. We were witness to Yee Keow's mastery in her quaint kitchen as she whipped up a hot chocolate fudge pudding cake for us. The veteran baker's vibrant personality lit up the kitchen and shun through her pastries. According to her son, Jason, who joined us, his mother's baking is "fantastic".
"There is always something nice in the house to eat. Mommy is not only a pastry chef; she is a great chef overall," he beamed with pride.
She took us to school with some of her techniques, explaining her preference for butter over margarine. "I don't like the look of it (margarine), and I don't like the taste. Butter just tastes better."
She is also not into measurements: "I am not a fan of technicality - that just takes the fun out of it. I use and distribute the ingredients according to feel really."
And, being as unique as she is, she makes her own whipped cream.The secret to this, she explained to Food, is patience.
As she turned her attention to the pudding, after roasting the nuts and putting the basic ingredients together, she blended them to create a batter. We got the opportunity to taste it and believe me, it was finger-licking good (we were prepared to have the batter as is).
Fast forward 45 minutes, and we can attest that the combination of the warmth from the soft, hot chocolate fudge pudding with the chill from the whipped cream was nothing short of heavenly.
While her cupcake recipes are top secret, she did decide to share her hot chocolate fudge pudding recipe as a parting gift. Try it and enjoy a sweet treat.
Hot Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Sift together
Ingredients
1 cup of flour, sifted
2tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
2tbsp cocoa
Method
(1) Stir in 1/2 cup of milk and 2tbsp of melted shortening.
(2) Blend in one cup of chopped nuts and spread in nine-inch square baking pan.
(3) Sprinkle with one cup of mixed sugar with 4tbsp cocoa.
(4) Pour 13/4 cups of hot water over entire batter and leave to set for about 10 minutes.
(5) Then bake at 350F for 45 minutes.
Serve warm with or without whipping cream or a small scoop of ice cream.