Raisin scones

So I asked Dad, "why don't you eat my macarons? You don't like them? Mom eats them..."

"No, they are too sweet for me. I don't enjoy these sweet stuff." Cupcakes and frosting included.

Yes, that's true. Dad only drinks black coffee. Seriously.

"So, why don't you make something with raisin or fruit? I like raisins and fruit cake."

True too. I swear my dad was a bird in his previous life. He loves ALL fruits and ALL nuts. And he sometimes communicate with the birds at the balcony...

So I made these for my dear ol' Dad. These raisin scones are best served warm. They aren't dry and the insides are uber soft with a delicate buttery taste. Nope, not sweet at all. Even my grandparents ate and enjoyed these. The raisins added just the right amount of sweetness. 

I had to sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on the top...

Dad came back from his overseas business trip and asked for more of these. But there were none left! It was one of the rare times he ever asked for more of my bakes. I was sorry there was no more left for him, but secretly happy that it left him lingering for more. :D

Green tea macarons

This is my first attempt at tweaking the basic macaron recipe to incorporate a different taste. This time I didnt deflat the batter enough, giving me a thicker consistency than desired. These aren't as pretty as I hoped they would be, but nevertheless, I love the green tea flavored macarons. Actually I like them more than the chocolate ones. Mom agrees. :)

These green tea flavored macarons are paired with green tea-white chocolate ganache. Somehow it reminds me of my favorite green tea latte. I think it's the only tea I deem drinkable; I'm very much a coffee person. Hmm, I guess maybe I'll attempt coffee flavored macarons next? ;)

Chocolate macarons

To make these macarons, I had to think of ways to make use of the egg yolks. I didn't like the idea of throwing them away - that's wasteful. Egg tarts seem to be a pretty good idea; my mom loves egg tarts. So now I got my whites to make these chocolate macarons.

I love how overwhelmingly sweet macarons are, how the shells are slightly crisp and the insides soft. It's amazing that the extremely sweet shells pair so well with the chocolate ganache. Yep, overwhelming. But good. I made some pink plain shells too. I love pink and I think they are pretty. Makes me happy. :)

I would like to attempt making different flavors of macarons too. Meanwhile I'll think of other ways to use my egg yolks. Or maybe my mom would want egg tarts again... :p

My first post!

I have been wanting to do this for a long time, and I'm glad I finally got down to it! This blog is dedicated to my bakes: what I love to do but sometimes hardly have time for. For me, it is therapeutic and gratifying, especially when I bake for my loved ones and when they give the thumbs up. Sometimes I bake for a reason, but honestly, there's no need for a reason to start baking. I derive a special kind of joy in this hobby and I hope that it shows as this blog brings you on this journey with me.