Variations of the Same Theme...

Cocomia:

KitKat Peanut Butter

Both variations are available as midi cake (approx 6 inches) single layer or as single layer, 8-inch cake.

White Chocolate Christmas Cake

I knew I wanted white chocolate cake.  What I didn't know was what to top it with.

But hubby helped with the solution... cookies and cream!

And it's really delicious!

Really yummy!

Reese-this-Christmas Chocolate Cake

Finally, we've finalized our offerings for this Christmas.  Fudgy Callebaut Brownies and Stuffed Blondies were easy choices, as is the Banana Chocolate Chip Cake of last Christmas (2012).  The Carrot Cake will still be available but in limited quantity only because of a limited supply of carrots.

The focus for this Christmas is chocolate.  So we decided on a chocolate cake and a white chocolate cake.  The dilemma we encountered was how to adorn the cakes without using frosting.  Frosting would be a problem especially if we had a lot of orders since I did not have a separate refrigeration unit and the cakes would definitely not fit in my fridge!

The idea actually came to me when I saw rocky road brownies at a kiosk in the nearby mall.  I realized I could use a variety of toppings instead of icing.

So here's our chocolate cake, topped with chopped Reese cups!

A peek inside...

The cake is approximately 6 inches in diameter, single layer, no filling.  It's a bit taller than our carrot or banana cake.  The cake itself is somewhat bland (this is deliberate on our part) because it is meant to be complemented by the sweet and decadent topping!

Stuffed Blondies

Blondies are brownies without the chocolate... this is how it was explained to me and this is the same way I explain it.

This is definitely a favorite, with a caramel-ly taste, and a punch from whatever "stuffing" is used.  Most common are chocolate chips, chopped chocolate candy bars, dried fruits, nuts...

The picture below, in particular, is stuffed with Snickers Peanut Butter Squares (chopped up) and is absolutely my favorite!

We're getting ready for Christmas!  How about you?

Callebaut Brownies

My signature brownies are fudge-y, with a crust.  But it is not one that is fast to make - it is so time consuming (whoever thought that brownies could be time consuming?!?!!)  But those brownies are special because it was a recipe where my mom and I worked together (rare moment indeed).

But these days I want a fast and easy, yet very delicious brownie that I could whip up in a flash (read as done in an hour and after fast cooling, ready to send out in another hour!).  The result?  These brownies, made with Callebaut brand.

It is intensely fudgy and very moist... extremely chocolate-y too!  And they are sooooo good straight from the refrigerator, or the freezer!!! 

I'm seriously considering offering these as Christmas goodies!  In boxes of 12...

This is now my favorite brownie!!!

Loaded Strawberry Shortcake

This is a cake inspired by something I had a taste of on an out-of-town trip.  That particular cake was a 2 layer strawberry chiffon cake, filled with whipped cream and chopped strawberries, and frosted with whipped cream, topped with slices of fresh strawberries.

Now, I don't particularly like strawberries, unless they are really sweet, and only then if they're dipped in a specific blend of cream, but when I saw the (really) big, plump, really red strawberries at the local market in Baguio, I bought 2 kilos!!!  Price be dxxxxd,  I was determined to make MY strawberry shortcake!  One that is chock-full of strawberries!  From the cake itself, to the filling, frosting, topping... EVERYTHING!

So here are the (2 kilos) strawberries, hulled and cleaned - the smaller ones got chopped, while the larger ones were reserved for the cake topping.

Presenting...  my creation - which I fondly call THE

Loaded Strawberry Shortcake...

3 layers of strawberry chiffon cake (no added flavorings or color!), filled with strawberry cream, with chopped (fresh) strawberries, frosted with strawberry whipped cream, and topped with fresh strawberries!

A peek inside the cake -

And, as usual, I did not add any preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.  So, the cake layers did not have a pink hue, rather the cake layers were more yellowish.  The strawberry cream filling had pureed strawberries as well as chopped strawberries.  The whipped cream is strawberry as well (you can see the strawberry bits) but both filling and frosting are pale pink due to the "natural coloring" of the strawberries.

The only "problem" with this cake?  The lack of supply of fresh strawberries in the local market.  This cake was made with about 2 kilos of strawberries!  Talk about being loaded!!!  But the cost really is  prohibitive!!!

But I would like to offer this cake.  It's just too yummy not to share... I just have to figure out how (and without skimping on the strawberries!). :)

Mochaccino

Mocha is another favorite flavor.  Mocha, as Wikipedia explains, could refer to a coffee drink or a coffee bean (amongst others).  Mocha, as a flavor, however, is often thought of as a mix of coffee and chocolate flavors.  Mochaccino is a coffee drink with chocolate.

MaBelle's version is a mocha cupcake, frosted with coffee (or mocha, or chocolate) buttercream, with a sprinkling of cocoa (and cinnamon, optional), topped with a coffee bean (for decoration purposes only).

The cupcakes are yummy (of course!).  Although personally, I think the coffee flavor overpowers the chocolate a bit.  Then again, mocha is coffee with chocolate, not the other way around... ...

Caramel Cake

A cake that took me a year to make...

Lemon Chiffon Cake, with Custard Cream Filling, frosted with Caramel Icing, with Vanilla Buttercream borders, and decorated with (off-the-shelf) sugar flowers.

While we do not add artificial colors, a birthday cake (or any occasion cake) would look drab.  So while we DO NOT ADD artificial colors, there are times when we use ready made cake toppers or decorations that (obviously) used coloring.  And while, technically, such decorations are made of sugar (and hence can be eaten) we discourage eating them because (really now) all that sugar is really not good for anyone, and there's plenty of sugar in the cake and the icing to begin with!

Anyway, here's a peek inside the cake...

If only the cake was easier to make... took a whole day!  Baking the cake, cooking the filling, making caramel then cooking it to make the icing, then making the buttercream until finally filling and frosting the whole cake!  Imagine if I had to make the flowers myself, too!!!

Anyway, the birthday boy (who requested this cake last year!) was very, very happy.  In fact, he was so happy that within 15 minutes of finishing the cake, a fourth of it disappeared into his tummy.  Some hours later, only half remained.  And as of this writing (technically 12 hours after the cake was finished), only a small slice was left!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I consider the greatest measure of (my personal) success!

Ultimate Ube Cupcakes

Ube is my favorite flavor!  Especially when it's an ube chiffon cake.  It took me a while to make an ube cupcake because I'd been used to the light and airy ube cake that the heavier-type cupcake was strange to me.  Until my repeated experimentation finally resulted in one that I was ok with... and while my "traditional" frosting for ube is a whipped cream (sometimes with macapuno), for this one I wanted a super-duper ube umph.  So this ube cupcake is frosted with ube halaya buttercream!  And I have decided to call them "Ultimate Ube" because the double ube - cake AND frosting!

Up close and personal...

(see the ube bits?)

Even more personal...

This really is my all time favorite!!!

Mickey Mouse-themed Cake

For the first time, a request for a cake and cupcake "package" was asked of me... specifically with a Mickey Mouse theme!

I thought about it for a long time!

The "easiest" would be if I found figurines or cake toppers to plop onto the cake but I couldn't find any (in our part of the world the marketplace is limited!).  In my desperation, we even asked a friend abroad if he could find some for us (but he wasn't able to find any too...)

At the last minute (and I do mean just the day before the party!) I was meeting someone in a relatively small mall and while waiting I strolled around... and found a small Mickey Mouse stuffed toy!  Of course I checked its legitimacy and yes!  It was the genuine article... and it was on sale!!!  I bought it!

The concept came together after that.  Cupcakes with Mickey (and friends) candy and logo pick toppers for the bottom and middle layers and a top layer of cake with Mickey Mouse, a spray of flowers at his back, and candles that read "Happy Birthday".  The sides of the cake decorated with mickey logo candies...

The cake was beautiful!!!  but I have to say that the artistry is by hubby - I had the general concept in mind but execution was his - like I said, I have little (very little!) artistic talent.

A close up of the cake with the "happy birthday" candles lit.

It was yummy!!!  I am proud to say that my standard chocolate cake is always good but the bittersweet buttercream (a new recipe for me) was so yummy that hubby could not resist!  He said he would only taste a bit and he ended up finishing the "test" run!

Happy Birthday!

Now someone is asking about a Minnie Mouse-themed cake!!!

Chewy Brownies!

This is not my usual (signature) brownies.  For some reason I don't feel like baking that one. 

But this is good, too... a chewy, fudgy brownie that's irresistable!

Irresistible, I tell you!

Frost

I've often admitted it - I am NOT a fan of chocolate. I don't hate it, it's just that I don't really crave it or look for it.  In fact, when I was (way, way) younger and had suitors who gave boxes of chocolate, it was my younger brother who benefited!

Oh well.

But, seeing as there are a lot of chocoholics out there (who keep asking for chocolate goodies...) here's another one... of the white variety.

As usual, I used my go-to (absolute favorite) vanilla cupcake recipe and made a few (little) changes by adding melted white chocolate.

The big (and happy) surprise?  They were perfect!!!  If I would "fall in love" with any chocolate cupcake, this would be it!!!

See them out of the oven...

With gorgeous white chocolate buttercream...

The cupcakes were more than vanilla!  They had a subtle hint of white chocolate, not overpowering, with exactly the right flavor!  And the buttercream?  Wow, heavenly!!!

Yummmmmmm... mmmm... mmmm...

Rowie

This cupcake is named after the person who requested it...  she wanted a specific flavor combination - Chocolate Vanilla Marble Cupcake frosted with Whipped Peanut Butter Frosting...

a clearer picture of another one in the same batch...

It's actually pretty good... but I have to work out the marbling thing more carefully.  Some cupcakes ended up looking more like chocolate with minimal vanilla.

(I will see you again, cupcake! and next time, you will be prettier!)

Billie

Imagine a chocolate cupcake spiked with Kahlua, with Kahlua Cheese Filling and topped with Bailey's Truffle Frosting...

It's dreamy...

Ube Chiffon Cake

This one is a MaBelle specialty!  and a personal favorite!

Oreo Oreo Cupcake

Oreos are great favorites.  What better way to celebrate their popularity?

Oreo-Oreo...  our signature vanilla cupcake stuffed and topped with Oreo cookies, frosted with Oreo Crumb Buttercream.

Yum!

Orange Cupcakes and Angry Birds

My niece wanted some cupcakes, specifically with Angry Birds candy decor.  Like the rest of the world (at that time), she was caught in the Angry Birds craze.

It was the perfect time to try out orange cupcakes.  A friend of mine gave me her recipe and told me that they were really good.  I was skeptical - whoever heard of orange flavored cupcakes?  But I was amazed!!!

The orange cupcakes were surprisingly good... let me correct that - they were VERY GOOD!  And my niece liked them so much she asked me to make another batch!!!

Now that's what I call a definite hit!

Ode to the King

Nope, I don't mean Elvis Presley.  I mean the king of my life... hubby.

"Ode to the King" is the name we gave to our black chocolate cupcakes with cheesecake filling baked in and frosted with Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Twist Buttercream.

Cross cut view of the cupcake:

It is so named because it is THE cupcake that hubby cannot get enough of.  He can actually eat the whole batch if I let him!!!  He gobbled up 6 in one sitting before I realized it!

Oh well...  We are hoping that a lot of people will like it too...

It is THAT yummy!!!

Annie

or, Carrot Cupcakes with Super Secret Buttercream...

They were so good that I ate almost half the batch!!!

It was moist and so flavorful!  Really delicious!

Diablo

Or, Chocolate Chili Cupcakes!

Spicy!!!

We initially thought the flavor combination was unusual and we had doubts about it.  But after hearing a lot of raves as to how the chili complements chocolate and how the kick is pleasant and mild, we decided to try it out.

We discovered that it a great flavor combination!!!  The kick really amps up the chocolate!  Delicious!

Thank goodness we are willing to try things out even if we have some doubts!

special mocha chiffon cake

For a dear friend's birthday...

Everyone was raving about it!!!  One of the guests even said that it was better than the "famous" one...

Woohoo!!!

Choco Choco

What would you call a chocolate cupcake frosted with chocolate buttercream?

Choco... Choco!!!

If I were a chocolate-loving person, I would go absolutely nuts about this cupcake!  A double dose of chocolate?  Wow!!!

Nothing beats this classic!!!

MaBelle's signature chocolate cupcake frosted with dark chocolate buttercream.

Yum!

Hummingbird with Salted Caramel

An interesting combination that screams the tropics!!!  Banana, pineapple and coconut...  topped with salted caramel buttercream... HOMEMADE!

Absolutely delicious!

Vanilla Extract

We make our own!!!  Simply because if we make it, we know what's in it.  And we like knowing that ours is simply vanilla beans and the extracting liquid (40% spirit)... no artificial flavor, no sugar, no extenders...

And, if anyone is interested, it is available for sale in limited quantities only.

We put a portion of a vanilla bean in the bottle!

Suzie

Suzie is the name we gave to this cupcake:

Our signature chocolate cupcake, double frosted with swirls of dark chocolate buttercream and whipped peanut butter frosting.

A tribute to the chocolate striped peanut butter of my childhood.

Black Chocolate Cupcakes with (the BEST) Strawberry Buttercream

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful fairy princess (read as:  beloved daughter) who asked her equally beautiful mommy (read as: all powerful queen... of the household) for a pink flower cake (chocolate, of course!) and Tinkerbell.

Now, the mommy had a bit of a problem with this request because she didn't want to put artificial coloring in the cake so how could it be pink?

Then one day, while the fairy princess and her mommy were taking a stroll around the marketplace, they chanced upon... strawberries... red, plump, fragrant strawberries!  Did I mention that the strawberries were bright RED?

DING! went a bell in mommy's head!  A strawberry infused icing would be, at the very least, pale pink... PINK!!!

And so, they went to work to make the sought-after pink flower cake.  Of course, the fairy princess had to have cupcakes to give to her friends, so the (beautiful and all powerful) queen made some cupcakes too...

And, the cupcakes had to follow the same theme of chocolate and pink flowers...

See the lovely pink flower on top of the cupcake?  See the lovely dots of strawberry bits?

See the rest of the cupcakes all lined up in their pink glory?

The fairy princess was very happy.  And proud!

What about her mommy, the queen?  Well, her heart soared as she heard the fairy princess whisper:  "Thank you Mommy!"

The End.

Baileys Cupcakes

Technically, this is not a cupcake that is suitable to kids, but we were so inspired by the response for the Lime Margarita Cupcakes that we came up with another boozy cupcake.  This time, however, it was with Baileys Irish Cream, which is the favorite of MaBelle's other half...

The cupcakes are our signature chocolate cupcake flavored with Baileys Irish Cream and frosted with Baileys Buttercream.

The reviews were more on the positive side (after all, it's really not believable if our feedback is ALWAYS good...).  Still, we think these cupcakes are winners!  No doubt!!!

Bring it on!!!

Blueberry Oat Streusel Loaf

This is a remake of a childhood favorite.  It used to be in the style of a coffeecake, with nut streusel on top.  But upon the request of certain people who do not like (or cannot eat) nuts, we've changed the nuts into oats.  And upon the suggestion of my other half, the coffeecake has been transformed into a loaf!!!

While this particular version used a homemade blueberry topping, our standard offering for this loaf will be made with prepared (canned) blueberry topping.   Other flavors possible, such as cherry, strawberry and apple.

It is still a family favorite!

Lime Margarita Cupcakes

It feels good to bake again.

The Christmas season was hectic and as the New Year came around, there were still a bit of action in our kitchen as some last minute orders came in.  But the past week saw the kitchen resting, as I was in a week-long seminar.

Which ended today, and yes, the kitchen is open tonight, with a large batch of... carrot cakes!!!

But this entry is not about that, rather, it's about this:

A boozy cupcake!!!  Lime Margarita Cupcake frosted with Lime Margarita buttercream, to be specific.

My reason?  Well, it's simple really.  I like lime.  And I like tequila...

The good news?  Everyone (on the test run) raved about them!

Here's a sample of the test batch:

And here's one up close.  The buttercream was piped in a rose-like manner.

While this one isn't really kid-friendly (given its alcoholic content, hence not really healthy either), we still kept our no added preservatives or artificial coloring "promise".

Shall I offer them as a regular item???