Sunday, July 31, 2011

Dear Mum's Birthday: Passion Fruit Swiss Roll Cake & "寿桃" (Peach) Buns

It's my mother's birthday again. It goes without saying I have to bake a nice cake for her as well this year...nicer then the one last year. But because of the recent Father's Day cake I made, my family kind of fell in love with the passion fruit cake flavor. So I decided to bake a passion fruit cake but in the same Swiss Roll cake deco I made for my MIL's birthday cake in June. I have to say this cake is like a marriage of 2 recipes & technique I learned in these months. And this is the result of the happy "marriage", heehee.
I know I should have come up with a new design on the outside, but I really don't have that kind of time leisure, so I just went to the same design as the previous one. But bare in mind that this is a Passion Fruit Swiss Roll Cake...meaning the cake is rolled up just like the one in the Father's Day & my Hubby's Birthday cake I made. Meaning the cake layering are in vertical form. Anyway, I will upload a picture of the sliced cake after tonight's celebration. :)

Instead of using the same recipe of sponge cake (whole egg technique); I decided to change the recipe to using the egg separation method "分蛋式海绵蛋". Main reason is this method yields the softest of all the techniques (i.e. Chiffon, Sponge and egg separation). Here is my recipe:

Ingredients for Passion fruit Cake Batter (13" by 15"):
Set A:
5 large egg yolks
60g caster sugar
110g superfine or cake flour
2 tsp corn flour

Set B:
50g unsalted butter
50ml fresh passion fruit juice (~ 3 passion fruits)

Set C:
6 egg whites
pinch of salt
50g caster sugar

Ingredients for Passion Fruit Cream Cheese Filling:
150g unsalted butter
250g cream cheese, room temperature
80g confectioner's sugar
50ml passion fruit pulp
100ml non dairy whipping cream
1.5 tbsp gelatine powder melted in 2 tbsp boiling water

Method:

  • Melt the butter together with the passion fruit juice from Set B under double boiler and let cool until needed.
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper and greased it again. Preheat oven to 170C.
  • Again under double boiler, beat the egg yolks and sugar (from Set A) till triple in volume and thickens.
  • At the meantime, beat the egg white with gradual addition of the sugar in Set C and beat till mixture is stiff peaks.
  • In 3 separate portions, add the egg whites into the yolk mixture, folding gently till all is added in.
  • Sift in the flours in 3 separate portions as well, using the electric mixer at its lowest speed. Do this till there is no visible lumps of flour and making sure not over beating and deflating the mixture.
  • Take about 2 tbsp worth of the batter and mix into the melted, cooled butter mixture. Make sure it is well mixed and then add it back to the cake batter and gently stir to blend.
  • For the Swiss Roll decoration details, please kindly refer to this post.
  • Finally, pour the batter into the baking tray and level out with a scraper. Then bake in the oven for 13 minutes or till tester comes out clean. Let cake cool completely before use.
  • In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese filling: Cream the butter, cream cheese, sifted powder sugar, gelatine mixture and passion fruit juice together till smooth.
  • Pour in the whipping cream and continue to whip at high speed till mixture fluff up and increase in volume more.
  • For details on how to assemble this cake, please refer to this post.
I really have to work on my piping skill...my Chinese characters are not very nicely done. ;P And hopefully the taste of the cake will work out nice as well tonight. *fingers crossed*

Latest update!
Managed to get a shot of a slice....the cake was indeed very yum, just like the previous time, heehee!


Besides the cake, I also made some "寿桃" (peach) buns for my mum's birthday. Traditionally, these buns that are served during an elder's birthday celebration. Since this was my first attempt, I had a very rough work done...but still presentable...I think, lol!

I had these buns filled with white lotus paste (no sugar added). Had thought of adding salted egg yolk in it too but decided not to, as there's too much work!! :P As for the bun recipe, it's none other then my trusty soft mantou recipe of course, hee. :D
Hope you guys are not laughing your pants off looking at my ugly "寿桃" (peach) buns. :P Seriously need some practice on the shaping. Luckily it is just for my family's consumption....hee. :D But let's hope my mum won't be disappointed in these. *double fingers crossed*

Okay folks, gotta go and prepare for the celebration tonight, will post again soon! Have a great week!

25 comments:

Janine said...

Wow I was intrigued by your vertical layering and I went to check out the chocolate cake you made for your hubby two years ago - amazing!!! And the coloring and shading in your peach buns look amazing too. Makes me wish I lived near you so that i can "kope" your delicious bakes!

WendyinKK said...

Happy birthday Bee's mom.
Have a blast!

Bee, those buns are made from the heart, sure taste good. Your mom will surely love them.

ReeseKitchen said...

Lovely lovely!!! You really have the patient and skill for rolling such a big cake! For the buns, though they don't look perfect but they are all made from your heart, I'm sure aunty will love them. Happy birthday aunty....:)

ann low said...

WOW! This is a very pretty birthday cake! Your mum must be very delighted. :)
Happy Birthday Bee 妈妈!

Angie's Recipes said...

You are a genius!
Happy birthday to your dear mom!
Angie

Unknown said...

I really impress with your big swiss cake birthday cake. The "swiss roll" is perfectly done! And your mum sure like your buns. I like to wish your mum a very Happy birthday.

Small Small Baker said...

Both the cake and the buns looks great! I'm sure she must be very happy cos they are made with love. Happy birthday to your mum!

Yummy Bakes said...

Wow, Bee am really amazed by your artwork. Your mom must be very happy with your cake.

Sem said...

Hi, the cake deco is beautiful and orignal,I would think it must be a lot of works.
I'm sure your mum would be very happy.

lena said...

bee, all your family members must be so impressed and proud of your baking and decorating skills! I dont think it's easy for me to produce that swiss roll layered cakes and also the birthday buns, i guess i can only make some plain looking birthday buns. Good effort!

Jean said...

wah! u're really talented!! it's beautiful enough to make any moms' hearts melt at the sight of it hehe

Kitchen Corner said...

Hi Bee,
This cake looks nice and neat! The texture must be very good too! Great recipe! Beside, your mum is so blessed with this homemade cake that made from you with full of love.

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Your mum must be so proud and pleased!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Janine! I still have much to clean...hopefully will do a much nicer job next time. :))

Thanks Wendy! Yes, my mum was very pleased and all similes the whole night.

Thanks Reese! Yes, it's from the heart that truly matters. ;)

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thank so much Ann!

Hahaha, thanks Angie! No genius here but a eager daughter trying to please her mum. ;))

Thanks so much Vivian!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks so much for dropping by with the warm wishes Small small baker! ;)

Thanks Yummy Bakes. Yes, my mum was very happy. :)

Thanks Sem! Actually with proper planning, it only took me 3hrs to complete it. Plus I've done this before, plus luckily no hiccups. :))

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Thanks Lena! Actually I'm sure anyone can do it by once with proper practicing. And I'm sure you can too! :))

Haha, thanks Jean! If that's the case, all the kids better start learning this recipe...or I can take orders, Lol!

Thanks Grace for your support! Actually there are a few rough finishing here and there. But luckily my mum ain't that picky! ;)

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Heehee, thanks Shirley!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Bee's mama ^_^

Zoe said...

What a thoughtful gift! The cake and buns are so beautifully made! Your mum will be happy.

Edith said...

So nice and sweet of you. Happy Belated Birthday to your mommy.

My Little Space said...

Bee, how lovely is the birthday cake & buns! Sure your mom is happy & appreciate what you've done for her. Happy belated birthday, Bee mama!
Blessings, Kristy

Jo said...

Bee, the birthday cake is gorgeous and I absolutely love the flavours. Your mum must have been so thrilled.

Anonymous said...

Hi Honey Bee! I am so impressed with this cake, and would love to try making this for my Mom one day, too. Just want to ask you if the swiss roll is baked in one 13" x 15" tray or is it in 2 or 3 trays? I checked out the chocolate roll cake you made for your husband, and it was baked in trays. Appreciate if you could advise.

And thanks so much for sharing all your recipes and experience. Keep it up!

Honey Bee Sweets said...

Hi Anoymous, pls kindly leave your name next time do I can address u better. Thanks.
This cake only uses a 13"by 15" tray. Happy baking!