No-Frills Recipes ... cooking, baking & excerpts on travel

I have posted many chiffon cake recipes in my blog and now at a loss of what other 'creations' that I should concoct to share.  Fortunately, for chiffon cakes, one can mix and match the ingredients and most of the time, the end result is acceptable and not disappointing.  So, today I'm going to share with you a Banana Cocoa Chiffon Cake with some 'dots' of chocolate chips.  As usual, chiffon cakes are light, soft, moist and will readily be enjoyed with a hot cuppa. Banana Cocoa Chiffon Cake  ~  香蕉可可雪纺蛋糕 (adapted from 'here' with adjustments) Ingredients (A) 5 'L'egg yolks 80 gm plain flour 1.1/4 Tbsp cornflour 44 gm caster sugar 50 gm vegetable oil 14 gm cocoa powder 144 gm mashed over-ripe bananas 25 gm choc chips (B) 5 'L'egg whites 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar 80 gm caster sugar Method Sift together plain flour, cornflour and cocoa powder.  Set aside. Whisk egg yolks with sugar till creamy and ...

Since our country, Malaysia, has been 'locked down' or imposed with the 'Movement Control Order', many mums are confined to their homes scratching their heads what to cook or serve to their families.  So why not give this recipe a shot as the ingredients should be available in most households. These Choc-Chip Peanut Butter Muffins are moist, warm, and soft with melty and chooey choc-chips.  There's nothing like a peanut butter and chocolate combination.  These can be enjoyed as a mid-morning snack with a strong cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat! Choc-chip Peanut Butter Muffins ~   巧克力花生酱玛芬 Ingredients 210 gm plain flour 200 ml plain yoghurt 120 gm caster sugar 2 'L' eggs 80 gm choc-chips 75 ml vegetable oil 1/2 cup milk (125 ml) 4 to 5 Tbsp peanut butter, microwave to soften 3 Tsp cocoa or chocolate powder 2 tsp baking powder a pinch of salt Method Sift or whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt in a mixing ...

These fudgy and gooey brownie squares are not only pretty to look at with swirls of peanut butter but they are delicious as well.  This is a healthy brownie recipe as I've replaced butter with avocado and used wholemeal flour instead. Avocado Chocolate Brownies  ~   鳄梨巧克力布朗尼 Ingredients 2 medium size ripe avocados, cubed 2 eggs 150 ml honey 75 gm wholemeal flour 30 gm cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 2 Tbsp peanut butter Method In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, eggs, honey and vanilla till smooth. Whisk wholemeal flour with baking powder and cocoa powder. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a batter forms.  Pour the the batter into a parchment lined 8 x 8 inch baking pan.   Soften the peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds, then drop dollops on the batter and swirl. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for 20 to 30 mins. Press the top and if it bounce...

This is an easy peasy recipe where no mixer is required.  Method is more or less like making muffins.  The texture of this banana loaf is soft, moist and there is a perfect blend between the aromatic bananas and chocolate chips. Chocolate chip banana bread   ~    香蕉巧克力蛋糕 Ingredients 1/4 cup oil 100 gm caster sugar 1 tsp lemon/orange zest 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup choc chips 188 gm plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup (about 300 gm) over-ripe bananas, mashed (about 3) 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional) Extra choc chips to sprinkle Method Grease and flour a 8.1/2" x 4.1/2" loaf pan. Whisk flour, bicarbonate soda, salt and sugar.  Set aside. Mash the bananas and mix in oil and beaten eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir in choc chips.  Do not overmix. Spoon batter into the loaf pan.   Level the surface and sprinkle on some choc chips. B...

These biscuits are crunchy and delicious with a slight hint of citrus lemony flavour.   They are suitable as a gift to relatives and friends for any occasion or to be enjoyed at any time of the day. Choc-chip Lemon Biscuits ~ 巧克力柠檬饼干 Ingredients 160 gm butter 75 gm muscovado sugar 75 gm sugar 2 eggs beaten 400 gm plain flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 100 gm choc chips Zest from 3 lemons 1 Tbsp lemon juice a pinch of salt Method Beat butter, zest, sugar till fluffy.  Add in beaten eggs gradually followed by lemon juice. Sift in plain flour with baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Mix till dough comes together. Roll into balls of walnut size, flatten it. Arrange dough onto a parchment lined baking pan, about an inch apart. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for 25 mins. till biscuits are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool on a cooling rack.  Store in cookie jar when cooled. Yield ...

How wonderful it is to wake up to a sweet aroma of chocolate wafting from the kitchen.  These rich and moist chocolate coconut muffins make a perfect morning treat for breakfast and will certainly brightens up your day! Chocolate Coconut Muffin  ~  巧克力椰子玛芬 Ingredients 200 gm plain flour 50 gm cocoa powder 40 gm shredded coconut 30 gm choc chips 70 gm caster sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1 egg 1 cup skim milk 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tsp vanilla some shredded coconut for topping (optional) Method Sieve plain flour with baking powder, whisk in cocoa powder, mix till well combined.  Add in shredded coconut and choc chips. In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and oil thoroughly. Pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Mix till just combined. Scoop the batter into a lined muffin pan. Bake in a preheated oven @ 180 deg.C for about 20 mins.  Test with a skewer till it comes out clean.  Remove from oven and let cool in...

Delight your family and friends with these easy chocolate chip cookies with butter and walnuts.  These cookies are fairly big, thick, crunchy and not very sweet as I've cut down on the amount of sugar.  These are always a hit amongst adults and children alike. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies ~  巧克力 核桃 奇曲 Ingredients 170 gm unsalted butter 90 gm dark brown sugar  ( I used Rapadura sugar) 50 gm caster sugar 1 large egg 2 tsp  vanilla 250 gm plain flour 2 tsp cornflour 1 tsp bicarbonate soda 1/2 tsp salt 150 gm choc-chips 30 gm walnuts, coarsely chopped Method Sift plain flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt, mix in cornflour set aside. Using a handheld whisk, beat butter and sugar till smooth and creamy. Add in the egg, mix well. Lightly whisk in the flours, mix till well combined. On low speed, add in choc-chips and walnuts, or you can opt to mix in by hand with a spatula. Wrap dough in clingwrap, chill in the fridge for a few hou...

I used oil instead of butter in this recipe and I notice that the texture is a wee bit spongy.  These cupcakes are soft and moist and utterly delicious.   I kept some in the fridge and they tasted just as good the next day, consumed at room temperature.   Certainly a keeper recipe.    Vanilla choc mint cupcakes  ~  香草巧克力蛋糕  Ingredients 140 gm plain flour 1.1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda 3/4 tsp baking powder 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 150 gm caster sugar 80 ml canola oil 1/2 cup buttermilk (milk + 1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar to make 1/2 cup) 2 tsp vanilla 90 gm choc mint, broken into pieces 40 gm choc mint to put on top Method Sift flour with bicarbonate of soda and baking powder, set aside. Whisk eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla till smooth and well combined. Add in sifted flour alternating with the buttermilk.  Mix in the choc mint pieces.  Batter is quite runny. Scoop the batter into paper line...

These delightful light-as-air cakes are based on French Financiers and are super easy to make.  I used the basic recipe but adjusted the ingredients for variations.   These dainty cakes can be served as afternoon tea or just with a cup of hot tea or an after-dinner dessert. Lemony Choc Chip Friands  ~  柠檬巧克力费南雪 Ingredients 80 gm melted butter 120 gm icing sugar 60 gm almond meal (ground almond) 50 gm plain flour, sifted 4 egg whites 45 gm choc chips 2 tsp lemon juice (optional) 1/2 tsp baking powder icing sugar to dust Method Sift flour, icing sugar into a mixing bowl.  Add in almond meal, mix well and make a well in the centre of the mixture. Lightly whisk the egg whites till frothy.  Pour the egg whites, lemon juice into the mixture, followed by the melted butter.  Lightly stir to form a soft batter. Scoop the mixture into the greased and flour dusted Friand pan. Bake in a preheated oven @  180 deg.C for ...

I tweaked the Marble Butter Cake recipe to make these delicious cupcakes for breakfast and there were some leftovers for tea as well.  I managed to get 17 cupcakes from the recipe and was very pleased that there were no cracks on them after being baked.   My family members were equally pleased as the cupcakes weren't overly sweet as I had reduced the amount of sugar from the recipe. Chocolate chip and raisin butter cupcake  ~  巧克力葡萄干牛油蛋糕   Ingredients 230 gm unsalted butter 160 gm caster sugar (reduced from 200 gm) 4 eggs 200 gm self-raising flour 60 ml milk 50 gm choc chips 50 gm raisins Zest from 1 orange 1 tsp vanilla a pinch of salt Method Sift the self-raising flour and salt, set aside. Beat the butter, sugar and orange zest till light and creamy. Add in the eggs one @ a time, mix well.  Add in vanilla. On low speed, fold in the flour, alternating with the milk.  Mix till well incorporated. Add in...

Chocolate and vanilla are the best of friends and they complement extremely well with each other. This is a very easy recipe and these cuppies can be done in a pretty short time.  They are soft, moist and  with the two-tone butter frosting, they are seriously yummy! Marble Cupcakes  ~  大理石纸杯蛋糕 Ingredients 150 gm butter 150 gm caster sugar 174 gm self-raising flour 3 eggs 50 ml milk 1 tsp vanilla 2.1/2 tsp cocoa/chocolate powder Frosting 80 gm butter 123 gm icing sugar Method Sift self-raising flour, set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs and milk till well combined. Fold in sifted flour and beat till smooth. Divide the batter into two portions.  In one portion add vanilla and in the other sift in the cocoa powder and mix till well incorporated. Spoon 1 Tbsp of vanilla batter into each cupcake liner.  Top with a spoonful of chocolate batter, alternating with vanilla batter until all batters have been...