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Jan 25, 2016

Yummy No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake

Use dark, milk or white chocolate to make this luscious Chocolate Cheesecake! Just 30 minutes to make and best of all no baking involved. The ultimate dessert for any chocolate lover!

Use dark, milk or white chocolate to make this luscious Chocolate Cheesecake! Just 30 minutes to make and best of all no baking involved. The ultimate dessert for any chocolate lover! | manilaspoon.com


Hubby and I are huge chocoholics so you can be sure there's always some chocolate hidden somewhere in the fridge for that moment when we have an instant chocolate craving. Naturally, I often use chocolate as a main ingredient for dessert because I can be certain it will always be a hit just because there's chocolate in it. Certainly, that's the case in this delicious No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake.
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Dec 16, 2015

Cranberry Eggnog Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake

No need for a mixer to make this easy and delicious Cranberry Eggnog and Espresso (Chocolate) Chip Cake. The perfect dessert for Christmas and New Year. Great with your fave coffee drink, too! | manilaspoon.com

This is my 13th cranberry recipe in the blog, can you believe it? I only realized that when I counted yesterday. That really shows how much we love cranberries in this family. It's such a great ingredient to use whether for a savory or sweet dish as it imparts a tangy and fresh taste that contrasts, enhances or compliments other flavors. Of course, it is a natural holiday favorite too because of its vibrant red color which makes anything you add it to look festive and gorgeous.
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Dec 9, 2015

Christmas Krispie Wreaths

Have fun with your kids this Christmas by making these quick, easy and delicious NO BAKE Christmas Rice Krispie Wreaths. Decorate these festive wreaths with sprinkles, candy canes, fruits, etc....the possibilities are endless! | manilaspoon.com

A few Christmases ago, while my kids were still quite young, we made some edible crafts that kept them occupied long enough to allow me some peace and quiet for an hour or so and also helped fill their little tummies. At that time, I wanted them not just to enjoy making something with Mommy but also have a sense of fulfillment with the work of their hands. So, we made these easy rice krispie Christmas wreaths.
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Dec 5, 2015

25 Delicious No Bake Holiday Chocolate Desserts

All the chocolate deliciousness you can enjoy in this delectable collection of 25 Delicious NO BAKE Chocolate Desserts!

Who can resist a good chocolate dessert? I certainly cannot! I am such a huge chocoholic that most of the desserts I do in this blog involve chocolate especially the dark and bitter variety. Hubby totally influenced me on that as he's an even bigger chocolate fan than me. So it is just proper to make a recipe round up of nothing else but chocolate - the best NO Bake Chocolate Desserts online! After all, the Christmas season is such a busy time that you want recipes that are quick, easy, make ahead and something that involves (if possible) no oven at all! 
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Nov 29, 2015

21 Luscious NO BAKE Holiday Cheesecakes

The best, easiest and most luscious NO BAKE CHEESECAKES around the web to celebrate Christmas, New Year and any holiday!!! | manilaspoon.com


It's the most wonderful time of the year....With the kids jingle belling....And everyone telling you be of good cheer......and so the song goes. This song has been playing in my head for a few days now. I guess because I have been gearing up for Christmas since September that's why! Why September? Because the whole 7,100+ islands of the Philippine archipelago believe in their hearts as soon as the -BER months begin - it's the signal of Christmas season so some radio stations and around the malls you'll begin to hear Christmas carols already. I know, it's too much but I am just trying to fully embrace my culture! LOL. 
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Nov 4, 2015

Best Apple Crisp

Sweet, fruity with a hint of lemony tang and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg this Apple Crisp is simpy the best! Completely gluten-free, too.

A few days ago our very kind neighbors gave us a bag of apples. They were quite a lot and we knew we wouldn't be able to eat it all of it in one go so I had to think of other ways to enjoy these juicy apples. I have made several recipes using apples before and didn't fancy simply re-creating them. I was suddenly in the mood for doing something I haven't done yet.
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Oct 21, 2015

Dutch Apple Pie Bars

All the flavors of your favorite apple pie and the delicious Dutch-style crumb topping make these bar cookies exceptionally yummy! Easy to make as well - Dutch Apple Pie Bars!

Apple Pie....who can resist this delicious fall favorite? I surely can't! I definitely crave this delicious dessert especially in Autumn but sometimes I don't feel like going through the trouble of making a pastry dough from scratch or even using a store bought one. Thankfully, these delicious apple pie bars come to the rescue!
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Sep 16, 2015

Yummy Blueberry Cheesecake

Delicious and creamy blueberry cheesecake with a luscious sweet-tangy sauce that brings this dessert over the top. Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used so it's an all-season dessert.

Delectable blueberry cheesecake.....for me there isn't a more satisfying dessert than a sumptuous slice of cheesecake. My whole family loves cheesecake so I have made different varieties through the years - from no bake, to plain, white chocolate, dark chocolate, with green tea, one with nutella, etc - you name it. While I haven't totally exhausted all kinds of cheesecake - we are always willing to try something new.
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Sep 4, 2015

No Churn Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream

My whole family agrees - this is the best Ice Cream I have ever made. Sweet-tangy and deliciously creamy is this Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream. No need for an ice cream maker!

This post was meant to be published last month when the blazing summer sun was in all its glory. However, since we were on a holiday break certain adjustments had to be made. Since we regularly feature photographic travel journals in the blog as well, I decided to devote the month of  August to that and I think it worked out well as I managed to actually finish all the travel posts pretty much within the time frame. Hurrah!!! If you wish to see these posts, you can find them here.
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Jul 21, 2015

Scrumptious Butter Cake


I usually have a few posts waiting to be published. I like to prepare ahead, when I can, so I don't panic when it's time to post a new recipe. Since we are off to Europe in less than 2 weeks I thought it's time to share this delicious and moist Butter Cake of German origin since we will be visiting Germany as part of our trip and it may help me get me into the mood. Truth is, I am panicking rather than feeling excited because there's still so much to do before we go but am also hopeful things will all get done on time! We shall see!!!
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Jul 18, 2015

Lazy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake


Tomorrow we will have fellowship dinner at church. Apart from a main dish and salad, I included some dessert as well as part of my family's pot luck contribution. Early in the week, I decided to look for a dessert that can be prepared at least a day ahead which does not require much fuss yet still has that palate-pleasing factor.
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Jun 27, 2015

Easy 2-Ingredient Raspberry Coulis


We had a meeting for our Young and Marrieds group yesterday and I made a no bake chocolate cheesecake as my dessert contribution. It was made with 70% dark chocolate so it was intensely chocolaty and much-loved by hubby who is a huge fan of dark chocolate and I have been a recent convert of his. :)
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Jun 23, 2015

Strawberry and Raspberry Fool


Hello summer! I love June not only because I was a June bride (we just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on June 19!) but because it means the beginning of berry season. From here on the freshest and juiciest strawberries begin to appear on the market to be followed by raspberries, blueberries, cherries, you name it!
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Jun 6, 2015

Strawberry and Pecan Clafoutis

This delicious tart is unbelievably easy to make! Studded with the juiciest strawberries and crunchy pecans and then baked in a sweet vanilla custard batter it's the perfect summer dessert - Strawberry and Pecan Clafoutis | manilaspoon.com

It's Strawberry season, woohoo!!! My family are strawberry fanatics - we always have them at home especially for my kids as it's their favorite fruit to snack on. Of course, I love to bake with them, too. The freshest and juiciest strawberries always make any baked goods deliciously delightful!
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May 9, 2015

Cassava Cake with Creamy Custard Topping


Upon touchdown at Ninoy Aquino International Airport whenever I return home to Manila, there is one dessert I instantly dream of and crave - CASSAVA CAKE. With a soft and spongy texture, flavored with coconut and condensed milk and then topped with a creamy custard sauce - my taste buds instantly dance with joy with each bite of this favorite Filipino delicacy. Go to any mall or market anywhere in the Philippines and you're sure to find cassava cake being offered on sale. We just love this delicious dessert so much!


Cassava, also known as manioc, Brazilian arrowroot, tapioca and often referred to as yucca (though they're not really the same), is a starchy tuberous root of a tree that grows abundantly in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and South America. It is in fact a staple much like corn and rice in certain countries. This is what a cassava looks like. You can find these already frozen and grated at many Asian stores so it's very accessible now.  And certainly in the Philippines, you can find the tree all over the place.

Photo credit goes to Amada44 who contributed this photo to Wikipedia.
While there are many uses for cassava the ultimate favorite would be the Cassava Cake. I've had quite a few slices of this delectable treat in the Philippines when I returned home recently and now I miss it so much. Thankfully, a Filipina friend of mine invited me grocery shopping to a huge Asian store in Hartford last week and I was able to grab a packet of this frozen cassava. It was time to make my own version of this yummy cake so I can literally have my cake and eat it, too! ;)


For this version, I added a little ground cardamon which you probably won't find in any other usual cassava cake recipe but I thought it might work and wow it did! Ever so subtle is the taste but you can tell that a tiny amount of cardamom gives this cake an extra layer of yum. I know it for sure because hubby who normally is not into our puddings and homemade delicacies loved it a lot. And then I gave some of this to my Filipino friends to sample and they called me the next day to say that they really enjoyed this cassava cake. So now this version is fully tried and tested and given the seal of approval. But if you can't find cardamom, don't worry it will still come out yummy because the added creamy vanilla custard topping also gives this cake a lot of flavor. Instead of the usual plain condensed milk on top which I used to make for this cake I thought, I'll improvise and add a thin layer of custard (inspired by our leche flan) on top and then sprinkle some brown sugar to really bring it over the top. So next time you go to an Asian store, grab a packet or 2 of grated cassava (if frozen, simply thaw before using) and make  this! Enjoy!

Cassava Cake with Creamy Custard Topping






With a soft and spongy texture, flavored with coconut and condensed milk and then topped with a creamy vanilla custard sauce - your taste buds will dance with joy with each bite of this favorite Filipino delicacy.

Ingredients

  • Butter for greasing the pan
  • 1 lb grated Cassava (if frozen, thaw first)
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed Milk
  • 1 14 oz can Coconut Milk
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1/4 - 1/8 teaspoon ground Cardamom (optional but highly recommended)

  • For the Custard Topping 

  • 1/2 a 14 oz can of condense milk
  • 1/4 cup Half-n-half (Single Cream)
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1-2 Tablespoons brown Sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Generously grease the bottom and sides of a baking dish (9x9 or an 8x11).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the grated cassava, condensed milk, coconut milk, eggs, and ground cardamom (if using) until well-mixed. Pour into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 50 minutes or until almost fully set. Remove from the oven and pour the custard sauce on top tilting the pan gently to ensure that the sauce has spread evenly. Bake for another 20 minutes or until the custard has set.
  4. Remove the pan from the oven and set the oven to broil. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top. Place under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until the top is nicely golden and caramelized or use a flame torch to achive the same result.
  5. Cool completely before slicing. I promise this is a slice of heaven!
Yield: 12-16 slices
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

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Apr 28, 2015

Chocolate Orange Swirled Cake

We always look forward to the weekend, who doesn't you may ask? Well, we have a particularly good reason for this. Usually throughout the week we hold back from sweets (ok, I must admit we occasionally fail!). The reason is that in the Philippines I grew up having sweets or special treats only during weekends, specially on Sunday after lunch. Even a bottle of Coke (which was considered dessert as it was sweet) was only allowed during weekends. Naturally, I just adapted it for our home. Since I am the cook in the house that has been the unwritten rule.
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Apr 23, 2015

Lamingtons




Mark and I got married in November 2003. The ceremony took place in the Philippines though the marriage registration itself was held in England. This enabled my family to attend the wedding. Since we were already in the Philippines, for our honeymoon we toured around the Asia Pacific region before we made our way to the USA where hubby was set to study. One of our chosen destinations, the one where we spent bulk of our time travelling, was Australia. It was a great choice as I had relatives in Sydney and we wanted to visit them, too.
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Apr 4, 2015

Green Tea Yogurt Cake



*These products were given to us free to sample as members of the Chobani Parents Club. All opinions are my own.

En route to Manila last year to visit my family in the Philippines, I had a lay-over in Tokyo. My flight was delayed so I had to stay in the airport for a few hours. I wasn't really distressed at all because I actually like the Tokyo airport (though I admit I prayed that I would still make my connecting flight to Guam - yup, it's a cheaper ticket so that means I have to go around the world before I reach my final destination). We've been to the airport several times already so it was familiar to me and I knew I could do a little shopping while there.
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Mar 29, 2015

Triple Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake


I was looking at the file photos of my unpublished recipes and lo and behold I found a few digital copies of this chocolate cake. I was surprised that I haven't shared this yet after nearly a year of making this. I recall baking this for a kind friend and neighbor who helped us paint our house last year before we moved to Connecticut. I made him chocolate cake whenever he was over at our place because I know that it is his favorite dessert.
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Nov 22, 2014

Apple-Pumpkin-Pecan Pie



So many desserts to make, too little time. Don't you often get the feeling that there are so many types of desserts or pies that you want to make for Thanksgiving but you simply don't have the time to make each and every one of them? Or perhaps, you are looking at the feast of pies in front of you during Thanksgiving and wish you can try each slice of pumpkin, pecan or apple pie - but feel like it's way too much to eat all three in one go!  I hear ya! I know the feeling!!! 
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