Butter Cookies

Sorry for the long overdue posting!! Here's the recipe! I hope i'm not too late..:)

200g Butter (Pls use good creamy butter eg SCS or Golden Churn)
60g   Icing Sugar
150g Plain Flour
50g   Corn Flour
1/2 tsp Vanilla essence

1. Beat butter and icing sugar until pale and creamy.
2. Mix in vanilla essence.
3. Sift in plain flour and corn flour. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer and remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
4. Scoop dough into a piping bag and pipe dough on a lined baking tray.
5. Bake at preheated oven at 180C for 10mins or golden brown.
6. Transfer to a wire rack until completely cool down.

3D Canvas Art

A simple project for the kids. It makes a perfect gift too!

What you need:

1 canvas

Acrylic paint

Fabric paint in tube

A starfish

Paintbrush

Craft glue

(All these can be bought from art friend)

First you need to paint the canvas. I like using acrylic paint. 

It's thicker and it becomes water resistant when dry.

Use a hairdryer to dry the paint quickly. 

Alternatively, you can also leave it overnight to dry.

Once dry, start dotting the canvas with a fabric paint.

I make Ryan practice on a blank paper first (kiasu... hehe...)

Once he mastered it he was ready for the canvas.

Fill in the dots and leave it blank where the starfish would be.

Same goes for this. Aidan's little finger couldn't press out the dots, I had to finish the art for him.

All done and just waiting for it to dry.

Glue the star fish down with craft glue and TADAH!!!! A beautiful 3D art!

Have fun!!!!!

Strawberry Mango Trifle

Trifle is a dessert dish made from thick (or often solidified) custard, fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice or jelly, and whipped cream. These ingredients are usually arranged in layers.

When we were living in Kuala Lumpur, I had one of my best trifle in Intan's house during her party and I craved for it this weekend. Since I can no longer call her to whip up this yummy sinful dessert for me.... I tried to make it myself..:(Normally this dessert is layered with custard and topped with fresh cream but I was too lazy to go through that hassle. Instead I changed it to Mascarpone cheese. My favourite!! 

Trifle is a sturdy dessert that can be made successfully by even the most inexperienced cook. They keep well and can be made ahead of time.

Strawberry Mango Trifle

• 2 large mangoes, cubed
• 3 cups strawberries, halved
• 1 Sara Lee Pound cake
• 1 cup Apple Juice
• 50g caster sugar
• 250g whipping cream
• 500g Mascarpone Cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine mangoes and strawberries with 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit for at least 20 minutes to create juices.

Beat the mascarpone, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk whipping cream until it is softly whipped. Fold mascarpone mix into the whipped cream then set aside.

Cut Sara Lee pound cake into cubes and lay them in the bottom of a trifle dish or glass bowl. Drizzle apple juice all over the cake and let it soak for 5 minutes. Top with a layer of mango, strawberry and mascarpone cream. The trifle will keep in the fridge for up to a day. Decorate it with strawberry and almonds just before serving.

Calories worth putting on weight for!! 
(Sorry I didnt take a nicer pictures of this trifle. Will try the next time I'm making this and it's gonna be soon!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Happy New Year 2013!!!!!