Bite-Size Almond Cookies

Today I met up with my sister, and together we baked some CNY cookies. This is the first time I actually have a baking buddy (apart from my duo) and that was really much more fun than baking alone. :)

Look at these cute little almond cookies.. 

Made in bite size, they are perfect snack for gathering.

What I like most about this recipe is that no special tools required, just a mixer, a brush and and two bare hands. The cookie is so soft and simply melt in your mouth.

Here's the making..

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Baking Time: 25 minutes 

Serving: about 40-50 cookies 

Recipe courtesy of my sister, Joyce.

Ingredients:

• 150gm Unsalted butter at room temperature 

• 200gm super fine flour

• 20gm milk powder

• 35gm icing sugar

• 1 medium egg yolk

• 10gm custard powder 

• 40 whole almond, roasted at 150°c for 35-40 minutes until golden brown

• 1 medium egg, beaten (for brushing)

 

The Making:

1. Sprinkles some flour over a baking tray, preheat the oven to 150°c.

2. Mix flour, milk powder and custard powder in a large bowl.

3. Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolk and continue beating, then add in the flour. Mix well.

4. Wrap the dough with a cling form, store in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

5. Shape the dough into small ball of about 4cm diameter, press lightly flatten it using the thumb to about 2cm height.

6. Brush the top of the dough with some egg liquid, then press a roasted almond on top. Bake for 25 minutes or until the cookies is golden brown. Watch your temperature closely at the last few minutes.

Let cold, treat yourself with few of this goodies and store the remaining in an airtight container. These cookies shall be good to keep for 3 weeks and they are perfect to be given as a festive gift!

Enjoy!

Tips for Parents...

• When making for little ones under 3yo, suggest to replace the whole almond with almond flakes or almond nibs to avoid risk of chocking.

• If your little one is allergic to nuts or almonds, you may omit the almonds with just egg wash.

Easy Almond Banana Toast 杏仁香蕉土司

This is a sweet savory suitable for nearly all ages.

We went to a nearby cafe for breakfast one weekend and I had an almond banana dessert. It looked rather simple and I thought I can try making this at home.

So I did and it turned out great. We had a warm breakfast served with brewed coffee for big ones & hot chocolate for little one at the comfort of our home. The total cost was only around RM10 (include drinks) but the stress-free family time was priceless. :)

Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 8 min
Serving for: 2-3 persons

Ingredients:
4 pieces of sandwich bread, remove the brown edges if you like
1 large ripe banana, cut into slices
Some almond flakes
2 table spoons of honey (I used Manuka honey)

Step-by-Step Guides:
1. Preheat the oven at 160C/180C (gas/oven).
2. Place the breads on a baking tray with some space in between, arrange the banana slices neatly, sprinkle with some almond flakes and follow by drops of honey.
3. Bake the bread for 8-10 minutes. Let it cool before serving.

The toasts came out really crispy and filled with natural sweetness, thanks to the honey and banana. Both honey and banana are ideal for easing constipation problems, I made this for Ethan after he had not passed motion for 2 days and the problem was resolved the very same day.

Useful Tips!
1. Include some prunes onto the toast if your little one has constipation problem, it adds sweetness and fiber too.
2. Some people may be allergic to nuts, if this is the first time your little one is having almond, do watch out for allergic syndrome, such as skin rashes, nappy rash.

Fluffy Almond Cupcakes 松软杏仁小蛋糕

I have always fancy soft and fluffy pastries and desserts, be it chiffon cake, pudding, tiramisu or taufufa (sweetened bean curd), so I have always been on the hunt for such recipes. After trying various different recipes from cookbooks & online websites, I finally found one cupcake recipe that is exactly to my liking, my little boy actually had 4 in a day!

This is a really simple recipe with easy to find ingredient, just skip the almond flakes if you do not fancy or can't find it.

Fluffy Almond Cupcakes in Colorful Molds

Preparation Time: 25min
Bake Time: 18-20min
Serving: 12 medium size cupcakes
Suitable for: 2 years+

Ingredients:
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 whole egg (I use A grade egg)
- 50 gram cake flour (or super-fine flour), sifted
- 50 gram vegetable oil
- 3 egg whites
- 50 gram castor sugar or brown sugar
- a pinch of salt

Equipment needed:
1. A 12-hole baking tray line with cupcake paper
2. A hand whisker or mixer
3. A rubber spatula for folding the egg mixture (flat surface)

Step-by-Step Guides
1. Heat up the oven at 160C / 180C (gas/fan).
2. Whisk egg yolks & whole egg in a large bowl until fluffy, add in the sifted cake flour and oil gradually until well mixed. Set aside.
3. using a clean bowl and whisker, whisk the egg whites in a quick circular motion until it is really stiff (in white foam & will hold the shape even when you turn the bowl upside down). If using electric mixer, make sure you set to high speed.
4. Add in salt & sugar gradually into the egg white, continue whisking to mix well and till stiff.
5. Using a rubber spatula, slowly fold the egg white into the flour mixture. Take a big scoop one at a time and fold really slowly into the flour mixture. Slow & steady motion is the key, you don't want to create any bubble now.
6. Once the mixture is done, scope them into the baking tray. Fill up to around 60% full.
7. Sprinkle with some almond flakes or chocolate chips on top (or any other nutty toppings of your liking).
8. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes until the cupcake has risen with a nice golden top.
8. Done!

Let the cupcakes cool on a rack before serving, it is so aromatic and I simply love the crunchy roasted almond!


Useful Tips!
1. To get a successful egg white whisk, ensure you use eggs at room temperature (soak them in warm water if you used them right from fridge). Besides, your whisker and bowl must be clean from water & oil.
2. Replace almond flakes with chocolate chips if you have little ones with a sweet tooth. They will love this :)
3. Some kids maybe allergic to nuts, if this is the first time your little one having almonds, do watch out for potential allergic symptom, such as rashes.


Some "ice cream" cones for you? ;)

My little boy enjoys helping me in the kitchen so lining up the cones is one fun task for him...