Red Velvet Cupcakes

This is the red velvet cupcakes from Sally's Baking site. I made mini ones for a tea party. 

Ingredients

Egg - 2 large, room temperature and separated
Cake flour - 1 and 2/3 cups 

Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Unsweetened cocoa powder - 4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 teaspoon 
Unsalted butter - 4 TBSP, softened to room temperature

Granulated sugar - 1 cup
Vegetable oil - 1/2 cup
Pure vanilla extract - 2 tsp
Distilled white vinegar - 1/2 tsp
Liquid red food coloring - to your preference, about 2 TBSP
Buttermilk - 1/2 cup, room temperature (replaced with 1/2TBSP lemon juice + 1/2cup milk)

cream cheese frosting for topping

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-count muffin pan or 48-count mini-muffin pan with cupcake liners. 
2. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat 2 egg whites on high speed in a medium bowl until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
3. Sift the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
4. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy—about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together fairly well. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a silicone spatula as needed. Add the oil and beat on high for 2 minutes. 
5. Add 2 egg yolks and the vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the vinegar and the food coloring, until you reach your desired color.

6. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Fold whipped egg whites into cupcake batter with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. 

7. Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling 1/2 – 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 20-21 minutes for regular muffin, or 11-13 minutes for mini-muffins, or until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don’t overbake; your cupcakes will dry out. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

8. Prepare cream cheese frosting. Frost cooled cupcakes immediately before serving. 

Gravity-Defying Ramen Cake

This illusion cake starts with a half-sphere chiffon cake, filled and coated with Swiss meringue buttercream. A wooden dowel is inserted through the center for support. 

To create the floating chopsticks effect, a hole is cut sideways in a boba straw, and the chopsticks are inserted through the straw so they stay positioned with an angle. The straw is then placed over the dowel to hold everything in place.

The bowl, noodles, and condiments are all handcrafted from fondant, completing this playful, gravity-defying dessert!

Pokemon Loving Rabbit

This cake was made for a friend who loves Pokémon and was born in the Year of the Rabbit. It’s filled and decorated with silky Swiss meringue buttercream, and the rabbit and Pokémon figures are handcrafted from fondant for a playful, personalized touch.

Napa Cabbage Pork Belly Stew(大白菜炖五花肉)

Tender pork belly and soft Napa cabbage simmered in a savory, flavorful broth — a comforting classic of Chinese home cooking.

Ingredients

Napa cabbage - 1-2 lb
Pork belly - 1 lb

Ginger - 4-5 slices

Green onion - 1 stalk

Garlic - a few

Star anise - 1

Soy sauce - 1 TBSP

Dark soy sauce - 1 TBSP

Oyster sauce - 1 TBSP

Chinese five spice powder - 1 tsp

Optional: sticky rice cake, rice noodle, or Korean glass noodle 

Steps

1. Clean, dry and slices pork belly. In a frying pan, add some oil and then lay the pork belly to pan fry at middle heat until brown on both sides.

2. Add green onion, ginger, garlic, star anise, sir fry until fragrant.

3. Add napa cabbage, stir fry for a minute, then add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, five spice powder. 

4. Add water to cover all ingredients; bring stew to boiling; then turn to low heat to simmer.

5. Optional: you can some rice noodle, or sticky rice cake

Mystery Machine

Inspired by Scooby-Doo, this colorful treat brings the iconic Mystery Machine to life! The cupcakes are arranged in the shape of the van and then piped with Swiss meringue buttercream to create the design. This was made for Diablo Day Camp, whose theme this summer is “Mystery.”

Malaysia Fried Banana

A sweet snack made from ripe bananas — a beloved Malaysian treat passed down from my mother in law.

Ingredients

All purpose flour - 1 cup

Tropical flour - 1/4 cup (optional)

Baking soda - 1/4 tsp

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Water - 3/4 to 1 cup, add gradually to desired consistency

Banana - 3 ripped, peeled and sliced diagonally

Steps

1. In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, tropical flour (if using), baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add water while stirring until you get a smooth, slightly thick batter that can coat the back of a spoon.

2. Slice the ripe bananas into thick diagonal slices.

3. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Dip each banana piece into the batter, making sure it’s evenly coated. Carefully place into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crisp, turning occasionally.

4. Drain on paper towels and serve hot as a snack or dessert.
(Optional: sprinkle with sugar, drizzle with honey, or serve with ice cream for a modern twist!)

Braised Wintermelon (家常烧冬瓜)

Wintermelon has a mild flavor and a soft, tender texture when fully cooked. It easily absorbs sauces, making it perfect for simple braised dishes like this one.

Ingredients

Wintermelon - about 2 pounds

Soy sauce - 2 TBSP

Salt - as needed

Chicken broth or water - 1 cup

Optional additions: minced garlic, oyster sauce, a drizzle of sesame oil, or chopped green onions for garnish

Steps

1. Peel off the tough green skin and cut the melon into roughly 2x2-inch cubes. On the flesh side, carefully score a “#” pattern about halfway through the melon’s thickness—do not cut all the way through.

2.Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place the melon pieces skin side down and pan-fry until the bottom is golden brown

3.Add water or chicken broth and soy sauce to the pan. Cover and simmer gently until the melon becomes soft enough to pierce easily with a chopstick and has absorbed the sauce flavor (about 10–15 minutes).

4. Spoon the melon and sauce in serving bowl and enjoy warm.