Birthday Cake - For Laughs

OKAY! Finally... this was the birthday cake I made for my cousin the other day.

The cake:



The problems: Forgot all about the "ears" haha... and this little lamb has got a really small head for that size of body... hehe... and the lamb wears "shoes" (forgot to draw on the swoosh hehe).

By the time we put on the candles, MC, BIL and me almost rolled off our chairs for laughing too much. The waiters and waitresses were also busy walking pass and all of them had a good laugh too.



Notice the Toblerone piece on the head? The Makeshift "ear".


Have you been entertained? Will post picture of the faces in the "book".

Happy birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

... to SSB aka Lynnx, the very original Cupcake Queen.

These were what I've been doing during the weekend (but cannot post them until now because it's supposed to be a surprise ya) - a box of extra big size birthday theme cupcakes.

TD, well done for keeping it as a surprise, according to SSB, she didn't expect it, so she's not "perasan" hehe... BUT, do you really think I'm not gonna make you any cupcake for your short trip back from Indon, where there's shortage of extreme-icing-cupcake supply?

So if anyone saw me at TC just now and wonder which class I was at, I was at none, was there for the party only. Had a glimpse of combat class, saw some of you enjoying yourselves so much in there. A very happy looking Carebear on stage whom I would definitely not have the heart to fight with lah, looking so sweet with her smiling face hehe... :p

The surprise thingy was after RPM at 12.30pm, and I left my gym bag in the car so I missed BP at 1.00pm. LGM suggested BB but that's 2.00pm, shopping was more appealing then. Haha... But I'll be there tomorrow, double class BC and BP!

Whooppsss... sorry, side tracked already. Happy birthday SSB, may all your dreams come true! And FB friends, please get the other pictures (with faces) in Facebook. :)

Another special box of birthday special for SSB. Hope you like it!

Specially for the RPM fanatics! TD represents most of them (rated according to the number of cupcakes ate over total number of cupcakes in the box) hehe...

The birthday cupcakes at the crime scene.

"curly" colourful candles, which had almost burnt down by the time birthday gal arrived at crime scene.

And there you go SSB, extra icing in the form of flowers and leaves, with loads of chocolate stones.

Diva of BJ and Master of BS

Came back to my desk yesterday morning and Tony's MSN message was popping asking me what cake should he be getting for Farid. Hmmm? What's going on? I guess it has to be for a birthday celebration. We went through all kinds of cheesecake choices from Secret Recipe, but decided on Tiramisu from Heavenly (wow delicious, till this point, I just had to invite myself to the party haha), then we had ended up with a chocolate mousse cheesecake which JE bought. It was delicious, and love the shape of the cake!


So I cancelled my plans to MML and LM for BJ at Axis with our BJ Diva. I had already pleaded for teacher not to laugh at me, prior to the class since I know I will definitely look clumsy.


Doing class with the bunch of BJ advance level gymfreaks were a plus point to start with as I could refer them for the moves; Doing class with Tony was great as he always gives clear demonstration and tips on the moves, never before tried to confuse or pressure members with "spot test"- a definite good choice for beginners (and also rusted jammers like me) I'd say. Plus, there will always be additional little movements and gestures which never fail to add flavours and fun to the class.


Me... of course did badly in the class, but with good guidance from Diva teacher, at least I could stick to the correct left and right leg coordination. I gave up most of the hand movements so I could stay focus on not stepping with the wrong leg, to the wrong side, or stepping on someone else. As it was, I already felt that I was constantly "magnet-ing" to the people around me. Beside my "magnetic problem", I felt that I'd tied many knots on my legs with all those twisting. Having said that, I actually love the salsa track (was that a salsa track? me bad with tracks and their details as usual), but don't like the "robot" track. Geezzz...


Tony was in his usual elements last night. Though I found him being particularly jolly whether or not due to the Christmas song played before the start of the class, or that he was really "in love" with Dominic for that hour last night. Or perhaps it was because of his "evil" plan forming at the back of his head. Hehe...

Diva teacher told us during the beginning of the class that he would be changing the cool down track. When we reached that moment, our little Diva announced that we were singing a birthday song to Farid, and so the highlight of the night where our birthday gal performed the birthday ritual - candle and birthday song - on stage. Could see her really surprised expression but nonetheless presented herself with total poise when got invited on stage.

Finale was one of our, or rather Farid's, all time favorite, don't ask me what track please... and followed by the feast.

Great planning, I heard the main organizers were Diha, Elaine and JE, with our Grand Master of Birthday Surprise to execute the plan in the class... and so, Tony the Diva of BJ (Body Jam) and Master of BS (Birthday Surprise - not Body Step k)

FI's Surprise

I left the gym after body pump, went shower and got the birthday cake from the car. My original idea when discussed with little bro was to get the cake ready at the juice bar and we can give FI his little belated birthday surprise when they finished Attack.

When I was waiting around the juice bar area, I'd had the chance to speak to Eric about the cake surprise and found out that he and Nick were planning for a surprise too. They planned to bring in a piece of cake into the studio right after the class. Wow, that's definitely a much better surprise. Glad they didn't mind that I join in, and so we had a "double" surprise.

We waited secretly outside the studio while the members were being tortured with what looked like really tough workout. Renee was there early and so she joint us, and thanks to her for lighting all the candles. Once light dimmed, we entered the class with birthday songs (me not concentrating with the signing since I had to try hard to keep the candle lighted). Unlike Carebear, FI didn't think we were loud wo. Hehe...

Happy Birthday darling!

Don't think there were any complaints from anyone towards the cake, and cake finished by the time I left, to grab a quick bite with little bro. Present wise, I really didn't know what to get since have not been doing FI's class, not sure what he has and what he doesn't, so got something "safe" - something one could just have a few of it with the same design and does not matter.

I went straight to bed without changing out from my jeans when I came home, so tired!!! I've not been taking my clarinase for 3 days, not sure if it's a coincidence or I cannot live without it, I'm having a serious flu right now. Better go sleep...

Happy Birthday Hobbes

Cheese + blueberry lover = the return of the sticky chocolate blueberry cheesecake.

Actually, have been planning with Little Bro aka Manjakid, for a surprise birthday do for Hobbes... originally, we wanted to do the "birthday cake scare" - appearing with the cake outside the studio after Hobbes' Saturday BBalance at The Curve... Then I cancelled that plan. Because, it's fasting month and the gals, my usual surprise party squad will not be able to participate. So, discussed with Farid and we thought it was best to arrange for a buka puasa dinner which comes with a belated birthday celebration then.

Later I found out that Hobbes was teaching pump last night (Friday) and thought perhaps I could whip up a cake for a little surprise for him on Friday night. But bro said they had a dinner arrangement. Besides, it was quite tiring baking a cake after work, late after work. So I told bro that I'll think of something but most probably belated then.

THEN, I thought, since I was suppose to go to The Curve today (Saturday) why don't I just drop a birthday present for Hobbes? After considering hard and long, I couldn't think of anything perfect to get him. So, at the end, I'd revived the original little birthday surprise do at gym, but slight amendment to executing it before Hobbes' class, and imported my personal surprise party squad - my sis, cousin sis and bro in law. And of course the Manjakid as the very insider and head of birthday song choir.

The cake was trimmed this time, so the layers were more visible. Compared with the last one I made.

But it's too plain for a birthday cake right. So Hippo (courtesy of my little cousin) was on duty again. Still quite plain. So I added the birthday tag, which gave more colour to the cake, and might as well add a matching ribbon.

Cake was then placed in a present box instead of the usual cake box, finished with a gold bow, didn't look like a cake at all, but forgot to take a picture of that. Did it this way slso, just in case if Hobbes was late, then I can still pass him the present quickly, without the celebration.

So, there we were at gym, the reception kindly let the rest of the non-gym members in with me and we waited at the reception area. The "present" was placed on the table for the birthday-boy-to-be (actual day 18 Sept k guys) to unveil the "surprise". Well, Hobbes were somehow surprise when I told him to come and "meet" his present (told him the night before that I wanted to pass him something, didn't suspect me at all meh?). Bet he was really wondering what present I've gotten him (erm... what else can a baker offer ah?) and was (I hope) pleasantly surprise to see the cake. If my record is right, blueberry and cheese should be his favorites.

Once Hobbes had settled down with the cake, and I'd lit up the candle, Manjakid had happily gathered a birthday song choir. Plus my personal squad, we made an impressively loud birthday song presentation, or was it loud enough? We wanted to do a second take for better effect, but I supposed we were hushed by the very shy birthday boy.

Hobbes had certainly made the cake look delicious, quite a perfect model if I need someone to advertise for my cakes. Aren't you convinced that the cake was delicious with this kind of face expressions? This also gives the "indulge in the cake but would not get fat" message. Mwah hahaha...

I remembering saying that the baking of the cake was not messy as described by the founder of this recipe, but apparently she meant the eating part being messy not the baking. Well, it was indeed quite messy since the centre of the cake was self-saucing type. Better to do this with plates and spoons - oppss... sorry, didn't think of organizing these. And of course the cake will be more "manageable" if it was straight out from the fridge. Nevertheless, since self-saucing chocolate puddings are normally being served immediately from the over, I find this the best arrangement for serving self-saucing chocolate dessert at places far from the oven.

I had a great time indulging myself in the scene of happy faces and contented look of savouring the cake. I think indulging my friends is the best way to indulge myself also.

Happy birthday darling, and here are the pictures of the hippo...

Sticky Chocolate Blueberry Cheesecake

It's my younger auntie's birthday (my younger cousin sis, TLA's mum) and we've decided to throw her a surprise birthday do. We were suppose to send TLA home on Sunday night, my sis, MasterChef was appointed the cake presenter, along with Alan, BIL to shield her from my auntie's view when we approach the house. OF COURSE my aunt was surprised, and very touched too (and I'm almost running out of ideas on surprise party...)

I've got this recipe from my sis' friend in UK. It's a hybrid of a fudge like chocolate cake and a baked cream cheesecake with blueberries. So the cross section with show a layer of thick pudding like chocolate cake with a layer of cream cheese and bits of blueberries.

Cross-section of the cake

What I should have done was to trim the edges of the cake in order to reveal the layers better, and also to get rid of the "cakey" part of the cake - the centre of the cake was almost like the effect of a self-saucing chocolate pudding! Simply heaven if you ask me.

The centre part of the cake with extremely sticky chocolate

The making of the cake was not that messy as described by the founder of this recipe (So I heard through my sis, by the way thanks a lot Kirtsy for the recipe! - sorry I've change the name of the cake though...) The chocolate cake base was easy to make since did not require using electric mixer, well, it's actually brownies type cake. With that very very thick chocolate layer, it's easy to "float" the cream cheese mixture on top. I was supposed to give it some marble effect, like you see, but not overdo it... the cross-section pictures I took didn't really show that effect. But the top of the cake did show the that. Lastly, sprinkle the cake with blueberries - should put more blueberries the next time.

The making

The un-trimmed side

I thought about the decoration of the cake... at first I was planning to have dark chocolate cream topping but MasterChef said that would be too much since the cake was very rich (she'd tried this cake before but I haven't). Then I thought perhaps whipping cream? It was agreed, but at the end due to laziness (only a very small fraction) and also it would be a waste to cover the effect of the top layer, I've decided to go minimalist style.

Had this really delicious and cute looking Hippo chocolate bars from London, so I'd just simply lie on on the cake, put on some piped leaf icing (Don't ask, I don't know why hippo and leaves...) and voila... the effect was like hippo swimming across a cheesy blueberry swamp with a Happy Birthday sign tailing it.

Surprise!!!

This is such a long due entry...

We've been planning for like 2 weeks for this surprise party.

Confirmation of the birth date...
I was quite sure Young told me his birthday is on 13 August... I remember having this conversation with him about birthdays last year and I jokingly asked him if his birthday was on 31 August when he said his birthday is in August. So, it's the reversed of the national day. Was having this MSN conversation with MB and she told me she that was how she remembers Young's birthday too.

The surprise party squad...
My #1 co-producer was supposed to be PiC, but she didn't turn up at Maxis on Monday... out of all Mondays... humphhh... my #1 "Insider" was SuperSpicyBabe. Discussed with SSB earlier and she said she will not let Young get any replacement for the Monday pump so as to keep him at the "crime scene". Mwah hahaha....

Told Hobbes and Little Bro also... they are my most supportive squad members. Hobbes had to teach balance and only managed to join us after his class (of course little bro reserved food for him). Little bro must be so hungry... he had this can't wait to eat look on his face constantly - till he got his food.


The cake...
I was wondering what cake to bake. MB told me birthday boy likes mango... and PiC actually managed to reconfirm this fact without causing any suspicion.


The food...
Esther planned to bring chili padi fried rice - IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Despite the not advisable carbo, I had 2 plates! Actually all of us there had 2 plates. SSB you missed out big time! Ya... my #1 insider couldn't make it to the scene too.


The surprise...
Even though I've not attending Young's Monday pump for months, he didn't suspect me when I suddenly turned up for his class on that day. Or did he actually suspect? Later when we interrogated him about whether he was in fact really surprised, he said totally positive. Hmmm... Ok, he did look surprised. I loved the birthday song part, we sang our hearts out and tried to make it as loud as we can while the birthday boy tried to hush us.


I had a great time that night, working out was tough, when I went through the class, I actually thought "why did I come today!!!" goshh... I was screaming during chest, tricep, back track... but it was fun, especially when I've not seen everyone for so long... Esther hurt her shoulder, get well soon Esther! Oh, and her daughter will be delivering a baby next month. Saw her daughter today when I went to SPK, she looked like she's just 4 months pregnant... still looking slim and the stomach is so tiny.


Anyways... I realized later that the pictures I took was really lousy, I didn't even remember to take a picture with the birthday boy, and there was no group picture!!! No picture of MB too :(

Esther's Delicious Fried Rice

Make A wish....

Happy Birthday Little Bro

I woke up really puffy eyed on Saturday... yes I stayed up quite late, but I still managed my 8 hours of sleep, perhaps drank too much water just before bed.

There was supposed to be a "well planned" surprise party for little brother... The making of this surprise was about a week ago... too bad the gymfreaks couldn't make it, at the end, the so called surprise party squad only consist of Farid, Elaine and me... my co-producer, Hobbes, was late due to bad traffic that day... The squat members got sort of too engrossed with our newly bought Harry Potter, so nearly missed delivering the surprise on time... Honestly, our timing was really a bit off... Bro was already outside the studio when I rush over with the cake, managing badly with the candle which went off as quick as it's being lid by Elaine. Also, due to limited number of the choir member, the birthday song was not impressive enough, though little bro tried to hush us, what was there to hush ah bro? But we sort of got "help" for the second round of birthday song, and that was slightly better.



Riyo and CareBear sort of joint us for a while during the cake cutting and a totally frustrated co-producer joint us after the cake cutting...

A few other members whose name I've forgotten, (so sorry!) joint the "celebration" and we managed to take a few snaps before the girls continue with combat. Thanks a lot gals for missing a few tracks for this...

Farid got the birthday boy some really cute party balloons and a huge lollipop.

Some hazelnut syrup for the icing and chocolate mint stick to decorate... by the way bro, this is the choc mint stick if you want to buy, I got this from Cold Storage at Ikano.

Happy birthday little brother (actual birthday on 24 July) and I hope you like the cake. I think we can do this better next year ;)

May all your dreams come true and many many happy returns!