History of Florentine

Florentines was originated from Paris, although its name sounds named after Florence. It was invented in France in honor of the visiting nobility from Florence occurred between 1682 to 1715.

Florentines are a delicious mixture of almonds and candied fruits that are coated by a sticky mixture of sugar and flour. Then baked until golden brown and bubbly. The crowning touch is a layer of melted Belgium chocolate underneath. Alternate choices of nuts and fruits are hazelnut, pecan and raisin.

Florentines is particularly popular during the holiday season because of the festive colors made by the glacé cherries and citrus zest.

Looking for a gift for your child's teacher this Christmas?

This dainty bag is available for you as low as $10. Please visit here for more details.

Christmas is around the corner, now accepting X'mas order

In this coming festive season, give your families and friends a box of our homemade cookies, expressing the love and care deep from your heart. Or treat yourself in a peaceful afternoon with one of our flavorful cookies along with a hot tea, relaxing on the couch in front of a Christmas tree.

Our handmade cookies use only the finest ingredients with no added preservatives or artificial flavoring. They are light on sugar and rich in flavor, baked to the right perfection.

For a limited of time, we'll pair a matching greeting card along with each box purchased, while quantities last.

Please visit here for more details.

Order deadline is December 9, 2011.

*Advance payment is required. Order cannot be cancel prior 2 weeks before the delivery date. Free delivery for orders over $50 in GTA.

Madeleine

Butterly madeliene, a tender little cake with a fine flavor and bronzed with a butter crust. Dip in your coffee or eat it naked, a perfect partner with your cup of coffee.

Now accepting orders, visit www.bakery22.com/madeleine.html

Baby shower

We arrange baby shower and all other special occasions that you can name it. We will design a special package to match your occasion and needs, together with our tasty cookies.

Cookie sample pack special

For $20, you can pick 3 kinds of cookies from here. Each sample pack weight 1 lb., which you can get around 18 to 20 pcs. of cookie.

To order or enquire, please email here.

Offer expires on September 30, 2010. Shipping charge may apply.

What is Cream Tea

Cream Tea does not mean tea served with cream, British tea usually served with milk. The “cream” in the name refers to clotted or Devonshire cream, which is served with scones along with jam.

Florentines

Florentines are a delicious mixture of almonds, crystallized ginger and candied fruits that are coated by a sticky mixture of sugar and flour. Then baked until golden brown and bubbly. The crowning touch is a layer of melted Belgium chocolate underneath.

Ingredients: Belgium chocolate, flaked almond, crystallized ginger, mixed peel, dried apricot, glacé cherry, brown sugar and unbleached flour.

Order here.

Nutmeg Walnut Slice

Perfect partners for a cup of tea in a lazy afternoon. Place your order here.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu in a different approach.

Yogurt Mousse Cake

A very light cake with a touch of peaches and yogurt. Good to eat at any time during the day.
Now I can make a 6-inch or 8-inch for you, for more details, visit here.

Banana layer cake w/German Icing

This yummy cake is now accepting order, check out here

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

Carrot cake was derived from carrot pudding in Europe. In the Middle Ages of Europe when sugar was expensive and short, carrot was used as sweetener because of the sweetness in carrots.

Carrot cake recipe
6 Eggs
180g Sugar
A pinch of salt
25g Lemon juice
25g Rum
2.5g Vanilla extract
375g Shredded carrots
50g Bread flour
7.5g Baking powder
5g Cinnamon
100g Bread crumbs
150g Ground almonds

Cream cheese icing recipe
250g Cream cheese
100g Icing sugar
25g Lemon juice
250g Whip topping

Directions
1. Place eggs, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl and heat over a water bath until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Whip the eggs on 3rd speed to soft peak.
3. Turn the mixer to 2nd speed and continue mixing to firm peeks.
4. Add the lemon juice, rum and vanilla to the above, continue mixing until blended.
5. Fold the shredded carrots into the above and mix by hands.
6. Sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon together, then mix with the bread crumbs and almonds.
7. Gently fold the above ingredients into the egg mixture just until blended.
8. Divide the batter evenly into 2 lined 9-inches baking pans.
9. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes; until the cake springs back when touched.

Easter cupcake

Butter cupcake w/cream cheese frosting, edible grass, shredded coconut and chocolate eggs.

Butter cupcake w/cream cheese frosting and jelly beans.

Butter cupcake w/cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut and chocolate eggs.

Roses are red and violet are blue

No, my roses are white and any colors you like. These are hand-piped royal icing roses, not any one are alike.

Spring is here!

I start working on cakes and expand my range this year, ranging from icing, fondant to elegant wedding cake. This is a buttercream icing with marzipan roses, just to welcome the spring.

History of High Tea

"It was around 1830 when the ritual of "afternoon tea" is said to have been established by Anna Maria Stanhope, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. With lunch served at noon and dinner not eaten until 8 o'clock at night, the Duchess would order the kitchen to prepare a tray of tea, pastries, bread and jams around mid-afternoon. It became an adored habit..."
- High Tea at The Victoria Room

"High Tea at The Victoria Room", this book is resplendent with all the information needed to host a High Tea experience à la The Victoria Room; including etiquette, table settings, instructions for the perfect brew and even a history of the dining experience. Jill Jones-Evans, who is the owner and proprietor of The Victoria Room, while Joe Gambacorta, who is the Head Chef, will show you how to make the best strawberry jam and Italian style orange marmalade to go with a perfect scone.

The Victoria Room restaurant and bar is located in Sydney's Darlinghurst.
You can buy High Tea At The Victoria Room from Amazon.

Happy Chinese New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choy

Thanks for everyone who placed order for the Chinese New Year. I wish everyone have a healthy and wealthy Year of Rabbit.

Chinese New Year Packing

The coming year is Year of Rabbit.

People born (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 or 1999) in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

Macaron vs Macaroon

Macaron
A macaron is a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. The macaron is commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies. Its name is derived from an Italian word "maccarone" or "maccherone". This word is itself derived from ammaccare, meaning crush or beat, used here in reference to the almond paste which is the principal ingredient. It is meringue-based: made from a mixture of egg whites, almond flour, and both granulated and confectionery sugar.
The confectionery is characterized by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the "foot"), flat base, mildly moist and easily melted into mouths.
Macarons can be found in a wide variety of flavors that range from the traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to the new (truffle, green matcha tea). The fillings can range from jams, ganache, or buttercream.


Macaroon
In North America, the coconut macaroon is the best known variety. Commercially made coconut macaroons are generally dense, moist and sweet, and often dipped in chocolate. Homemade macaroons and varieties produced by smaller bakeries are commonly light and fluffy.
Macaroons made with coconuts are often piped out with a star shaped tip, whereas macaroons made with nuts are more likely shaped individually due to the stiffness of the dough.

Since the English word macaroon can also refer to the Coconut macaroon, many have adopted the French spelling of macaron to distinguish the two items in the English language. However, this has caused confusion over the correct spelling of the cookie. Some recipes exclude the use of macaroon to refer to this French confection while others think that they are synonyms.

* Macaron and Macaroons' description picked up from Wiki. Photos picked up from the web (copyright unknown).

Green Tea Cheesecake

Creamy cake with a hint of green tea flavor. Garnished with mix berries and a shortbread base.
Ingredients: green tea powder, cream cheese, sour cream, egg and sugar.

Check it out at Bakery 22

Orange Polenta Biscuit

Something new for the New Year. Happy New Year everyone!

Ingredients: butter, sugar, polenta, orange zest and unbleached flour.