Mini Chocolate Cup Cakes

I think I’m officially in a cupcake mood lately… once you start, it’s hard to stop.

Today’s bake? Chocolate cupcakes - the mini version. Small, cute, and very easy to pop into your mouth one after another (dangerous, I know).

I found this recipe while casually scrolling online and decided to give it a try. Didn’t make a huge batch, just enough to satisfy the craving. In total, I got 18 mini cupcakes, plus a little extra batter that turned into 9 medium-sized ones. Perfect mix!

Here are the ingredients that I used:

170 g self-raising flour
110 g butter
100 g sugar
50 g cocoa powder
2 eggs
240 ml boiling water
2 tsp vanilla essence

Method:

1. Stir the boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth. Let it cool to room temperature.
2. Pre-heat oven to 190 degree for 15 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Then, add egg one at a time, beating until smooth.
5. Add in vanilla essence.
6. Add in flour and mix well.
7. Then, add in the cooled cocoa powder mixture, stir until smooth.
8. Line the paper cups on the mini cupcakes tray.
9. Fill in each cup with the batter to about 3/4 full.
10. Bake at 190 degree for about 20 minutes (for the mini-sized cupcakes and 25 minutes for the medium-sized cupcakes).
11. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
12.  if you like. Here, I used the simple butter icing which is very easy to make.

You can stop here and enjoy them as they are - soft, chocolatey, and already so good. But if you’re feeling a little extra, go ahead and add some icing. Wait until they are completely cool before decorating them with the icing.

Ingredients for the icing:
120 g butter
120 g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence

How to make:

1. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy with a hand mixer.
2. Then add in the icing sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add in vanilla essence and beat well.
4. Mix until it is smooth.

I frosted some of the cupcakes and left some plain, because sometimes you just want that simple, classic chocolate taste.

  

Mini size, big satisfaction. These little cupcakes are fun to make, even more fun to eat… and honestly, they disappear way too quickly.

Butter Cup Cakes

Yesterday, I had a little baking experiment in the kitchen… and it turned out to be a really fun one.

I took my usual butter cake recipe and gave it a small twist... turned it into cupcakes! Same ingredients, same simple steps, just a different shape, and somehow it feels a bit more exciting (and easier to snack on too).

Instead of pouring the batter into a cake tin, I lined some paper cups in a muffin tray and filled them up. That’s it - my kind of butter cupcakes.

 Ingredients:
 250 gm self-raising flour
 250 gm unsalted butter
 250 gm castor sugar
 4 large eggs
 2 tsp vanilla essence
 4 tbsp milk

Method:
1. Pre-heat oven to 170 degree.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Then add in the eggs one at a time, mix well.
4. Add in vanilla essence.
5. Fold in flour, alternate with milk, and finish with the remaining flour.
6. Line the paper cups on the tray, and fill in the paper cup until 3/4 full.
7. Bake in the oven at 170 degree for about 25 minutes. You can test if the cup cakes are ready by poking in a skewer (I use tooth pick here :P) into the cake and make sure it comes out clean.

Once done, let them cool on a rack… and try your best to wait before eating (not easy, I know).

Soft, buttery, and lightly golden on top. These cupcakes are perfect with a warm cup of coffee. Simple recipe, but always a comforting treat.

Waterfall Abseiling & White water Rafting @ Gopeng 31-10-10

Last weekend, I escaped to Gopeng for a little outdoor adventure… and honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was just two days after my final exam, so yes, this was my official “freedom celebration” trip! 😄

The plan actually started about a month ago when my ex-colleague asked if I wanted to join. I didn’t even think twice. I just said YES. To be honest, I had no idea what waterfall abseiling was, and I had zero experience in white water rafting. But I had a feeling it was going to be fun… and wow, it really was. Totally worth the RM190, no regrets at all.

We started the day early, like really early. Left Shah Alam at 6.30am, made a quick stop at an R&R for breakfast, and by around 9am we reached the Gopeng toll to meet the rest of the group. Once everyone arrived, we headed over to Murni Camp, met our guides, and got ready for the real adventure.

So, the journey began at Gopeng toll exit

Heading to Murni Camp

From there, we hopped onto what we jokingly called our “limousine” (basically a transport truck) 

Getting ready to be transported to the abseiling point

And that’s when things got real - Here's the waterfall that we do our abseiling!

Owh... caught me in action! I had a moment of “what did I sign up for?” But once you start, there’s no turning back. Step by step, slowly making your way down the waterfall - it was thrilling, a little scary...

But ... so satisfying when I reached the bottom safely :D

Hungry.. hungry...O~  After that? Food time. And trust me, everything tastes extra good when you’ve just done something adventurous.

Next up - rafting. But before we jumped into the river, there were plenty of briefings. Safety first, always. 

Briefing and briefing... How to wear the life jacket properly, how to handle the rapids, what to do (and what not to do). Lots of listening… but necessary!

Here my group ;) eh, suppose to have one guide only, the other guide at the left side just "tumpang" snap picture :p

Water confidence test... owh ~ My favourite part. I love this, surprisingly fun! Splashing around, getting comfortable in the water… I actually enjoyed this more than expected.

Another final briefing.. how and what to do at the rapids

And finally… rafting time. Ah...caught us in action!

We paddled, we laughed, we got splashed (a lot). Oh no..stucked and we had to shout "To the back all!!" like pros (or at least we tried to sound like pros lah)

Yeah~  There were calmer moments too... just floating along the river, relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. This is just for leisure, line body rafting.    

Ho ho... this is the fun part!

And everyone is happy :D

Posing for group picture~

The end of a great adventure!

But of course, the best parts were the rapids. That rush, the excitement, the teamwork, it was chaotic in the best way possible.

By the end of it, everyone was smiling, tired, and completely soaked. We wrapped up around 5.30pm, and even though we were exhausted, it was the good kind of tired.

Honestly, this is one of those experiences I’d say just go for it. Even if you’ve never tried it before. Especially if you’ve never tried it before.

Adventure, laughter, a little bit of fear, and a whole lot of fun… definitely not something to miss. Great people, amazing unforgettable experience!

Sausage Bun

I’ve always loved breads, buns, and puffs. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or honestly… anytime. So yesterday, I finally decided to try making my own sausage buns at home. For a first attempt, I’d say it wasn’t too difficult. The only “workout” part? Kneading the dough by hand, definitely a bit tiring! But overall, it’s quite straightforward and doesn’t cost much to make.

Here’s what I used:

Ingredients:

330gm flour (I use all purpose flour since I do not have bread flour)

60gm castor sugar

10gm instant yeast (I use Mauri-pan instant yeast)

1 egg

1/ tsp salt

1 1/2 tbsp milk powder

40gm butter

120ml water

Filling:

Sausages

Methods:

1. Mix the instant yeast with water, and put aside.
2. Mix flour, sugar, milk powder, and salt.
3. Add water, egg and the yeast.
4. Mix well to form a dough. (It can be very messy and sticky at this stage)
5. Then add in butter into the dough and knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
6. Remove the dough and place it in a mixing bowl. Cover with cling wrap, set it aside to let it rise to double its size.
7. Cut the dough into small portions about 40g, and let it rest for another 15 mins.
8. Then roll the small dough to a long shape and roll around the sausage.
9. Arrange them on a greased baking tray and spaced apart.
10. Cover and let them rest for another 30-40mins until the buns rise to double the size.
11. Glaze the buns with egg wash and bake in pre-heated oven at 180 degrees until golden brown (about 20mins).

For my first try, I’m quite happy with how they turned out. The only thing is I didn’t let the dough proof long enough the second time, so the buns weren’t as light and fluffy as they could be. Lesson learned.

Also, I think I got a bit too excited with the egg wash… the buns came out extra shiny!

Still, seeing those freshly baked sausage buns come out of the oven was such a satisfying moment. Soft, warm, and homemade, definitely worth the effort!

These are the sausage buns I made.

Small portions of the dough, let them rest for 15 mins

Rolled dough over the sausages... setting aside to let them proof

Porridge Steamboat

Last Friday, I went back to my hometown for the Hari Raya break. Since everyone was home, my brother suggested to have porridge steamboat for dinner. He was really excited, he had tried it once before and had been craving it ever since.

For me, it wasn’t something new, but it’s one of those meals that always feels special when you have it with family.

So early in the morning, my mom, dad, and I headed to the market to get everything we needed. Fish balls, chicken, fish, prawns, vegetables, mushrooms… a full steamboat spread.

Back home, we started preparing the porridge base. It’s just plain white porridge, simple but comforting. It’s not difficult to cook, but it does take time. We let it simmer for hours until it turned smooth and creamy—that’s the key to a good porridge steamboat.

Meanwhile, we prepared and marinated the ingredients to bring out more flavour.

For the chicken marinade:

Oyster sauce

Light soy sauce

Sesame oil

Sugar to taste

For the fish marinade:

Salt

Fish sauce

Sesame oil

Sugar to taste

For the prawn marinade:

Salt

Sesame oil

Sliced spring onions

Chopped ginger

By around 7.30pm, everything was ready and the steamboat feast began. Before we started, we added a little cooking wine and sesame oil into the porridge to enhance the flavour. It made the broth extra fragrant and rich.

Part of the ingredients for our steamboat

Wow... the pot is full!

And just when we thought the meal was already complete, my dad surprised us with a pot of curry pork on the side. It paired so well with the steamboat—warm, hearty, and full of flavour.

The curry pork and prawn

The table was filled with ingredients, the pot bubbling away, and everyone just enjoying the moment together. Simple food, but one of those dinners that feels extra comforting.

Bazaar Ramadhan TTDI

The past two days, I made a little after-work detour… to the Bazaar Ramadhan at TTDI 🌙

I thought, “Why not make one last visit before the Ramadhan month ends?” So I did a quick search for the nearest bazaar to my office, and guess what? The one along Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3 in TTDI is just 5 minutes away from my office. How did I not know this earlier?! 😅

By the time I reached, it was around 6.20pm, and it had started to drizzle. But honestly, that didn’t stop anyone. The place was still buzzing - people holding umbrellas, queuing patiently, all on the same mission: good food for buka puasa!

Food-wise, I’d say the variety was pretty decent. Compared to other bazaars I’ve been to, the prices here are slightly higher (The one in Serdang still wins in my heart). But overall, no complaints. The food was satisfying, and that’s what matters, right?

So here’s what I brought home… already plated and ready to makan 😋ngap ngap ngap ..!

Ikan kembung bakar (RM7.00)
Ayam percik (RM5.00)

I have to say… I loveeee the sambal for the ikan bakar. Spicy, rich, and just hits the spot!










 

Nasi briyani ayam masak merah (RM7.00)

And that my super dinner… Little adventure, unplanned but totally satisfying!

Words of Encouragement

Lately, I’ve had a little more breathing room in my schedule. With that extra time, I decided to tackle the mountain of emails sitting in my Inbox. Buried among the usual clutter, I stumbled upon a message from a dear church friend, and wow! It was exactly what I needed.

These words weren’t just uplifting; they were a powerful reminder of how often our human doubts clash with God’s promises. And honestly, I think this is something we all need to hear. So, I’m sharing it here, not just for me, but for anyone who could use a dose of encouragement today.

What YOU Say vs. What GOD Says

YOU say "It's impossible". GOD says "All things are possible". Read Bible verses Luke 18:27

YOU say "I'm too tired". GOD says "I will give you rest". Read Bible verses Matthew 11:28-30

YOU say "Nobody really loves me. GOD says "I LOVE you". Read Bible verses John 3:16 & John 3:34

YOU say "I can't go on". GOD says "My grace is sufficient". Read bible verses II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15

YOU say "I can't figure things". GOD says "I will direct your steps". Read Bible verses Proverbs 3:5-6

YOU say "I can't do it". GOD says "You can do all things". Read Bible verses Philippians 4:13

YOU say "I am not able". GOD says "I am able". Read Bible verses II Corinthians 9:8

YOU say "It's not worth it". GOD says "It will be worth it". Read Bible verses Romans 8:28

YOU say "I can't forgive myself". GOD says "I forgive you". Read Bible verses 1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1

YOU say "I can't manage". GOD says "I will supply all your needs". Read Bible verses Philippians 4:19

YOU say "I'm afraid". GOD says "I have not given you a spirit of fear". Read Bible verses II Timothy 1:7

YOU say "I'm always worried and frustrated". GOD says " Cast all your cares on ME".  Read Bible verses 1 Peter 5:7

YOU say "I'm not smart enough". GOD says "I give you wisdom". Read Bible verses 1 Corinthians 1:30

YOU say "I feel all alone". GOD says "I will never leave you or forsake you". Read Bible verses Hebrews 13:5

Fried Tung Fun

After work today, I did that classic “walk around, think around, still don’t know what to eat” routine 😅
One thing I knew for sure... no more chicken! I already had chicken rice for lunch, so that was out.

Then suddenly… craving hit. Glass noodles (tung fun)! 🍜
At first I was thinking of a comforting fish ball tung fun soup… but my mood quickly switched, fried tung fun sounded way better. More flavour, more wok hei, more satisfaction. So here we go ~ my simple, no-fuss fried tung fun dinner!

Ingredients:

Glass noodles

Some prawns

Some shredded meat

Some sliced fish cakes
Shredded cabbage

Shredded onions

Bean sprouts

Chopped garlic

1 Egg

2 tbsp oil

Seasoning:

Dark soy sauce

Light soy sauce

Fish sauce

Oyster sauce

Salt to taste

A bit of sugar to taste

Let's Cook!

1. Soak the glass noodles for 20 mins and drained well.
2. Heat the wok, and then heat the oil.
3. Fry the garlics until fragant or yellow golden in color.
4. Add the prawns, meat and sliced fish cakes. Stir fry constantly well.
5. Add the cabbage and shredded onions and fry for a little while.
6. Mix all the seasoning in a bowl and stir in the mixture.
7. Add the glass noodles and stir fry for a few minutes.
8. Add some water (chicken stock will be better) to the glass noodles if it is too dry. Don't add too much, you don't want it to be too wet after that.
9. Fry until it almost dry up and the push aside all ingredients to the side of the wok. Put a little bit of oil and break in the egg.
10. Then continue to cover the egg with the glass noodles and then add in the bean sprouts. Fry for about 2-3 minutes.
11. After that, you can dish out and serve. You may also want to sprinkle fried shallots or spring onions.

And that’s it, dish it up and serve! 🍽️
If you’re feeling fancy, top it with fried shallots or spring onions for that extra yum. The best part? You can totally mix and match... swap the prawns, change the veggies, use whatever you have in your fridge. This is one of those “anything goes” comfort meals.

Simple, quick, and honestly… so satisfying after a long day :))

Orange Butter Cake

It’s been a while since I last baked anything… but today, my fridge had other plans for me 🍊

I spotted a few lonely oranges sitting there, and suddenly ... boom ~ the baking mood hit! I thought, “Why not make an orange butter cake?” Simple, cozy, and smells amazing while baking. So I pulled out my baking tools, got everything ready, and got to work.

Honestly, this recipe is super easy. It’s just like a classic butter cake, but with a citrusy twist. I swapped the milk for fresh orange juice and added some lemon and orange zest for that bright, refreshing flavor. Trust me, your kitchen will smell incredible.

Ingredients:

250g butter (softened)

250g flour

200g fine sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp lemon rind

1 tsp orange rind

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup orange juice

A pinch of salt

Method:

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy

2. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Continue mixing.

3. Add in lemon and orange rind.

4. Fold in flour, alternating with the orange juice and end with flour. Mix well.

5. Greased the baking pan and pour the batter into it.

6. Bake in the pre-heated oven at 170 degree for 40 mins. You can test if the cake is done by insert the cake tester or a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.

7. Let the cake rest to cool before slicing it (I was too hurry to cut the cake, so it crumbles a little bit here and there) 

 

And tadaaaa - freshly baked orange butter cake! 🍰

Okay, my photo didn’t turn out great (old phone!), but the smell and taste totally made up for it.

Soft, buttery, with a hint of citrus… so good. I already know this will be my breakfast tomorrow, with a hot cup of Nescafe on the side ☕

Simple joy, really. 💛

Butter Cookies

🍪 Butter Cookies to Kickstart the Chinese New Year 🎉

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and for me, that means heading back to my favorite “playground” - the kitchen, to whip up some festive treats. To warm up for the season, I decided to start simple with one of the easiest (and most delicious!) cookies: the classic butter cookie.

Believe it or not, this was my very first attempt at baking butter cookies. I wasn’t sure how they would turn out, but I’m thrilled to say they came out beautifully - crisp, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth yummy! 😋

Since this was more of a fun experiment, I kept the batch small and ended up with just 25 cookies. Perfect for a little taste test before diving into bigger baking projects!

And because sharing is caring, here’s the recipe I used to make these delightful little bites:

Butter Cookies

(yield 25 pieces)

Ingredients:
75g butter
70g plain flour
20g corn flour
25g icing sugar
1/8 tsp vanilla essence
A pinch of salt

Method:

1. Cream butter and icing sugar and mix well.
2. Add in vanilla essence, mix well and add a pinch of salt.
3. Mix in plain flour and corn flour.
4. Using a piping bag and a decorative tip, pipe out the cookie into desired shape on parchment paper. If the batter is too stiff for piping, add in a little milk at a time to a more manageable batter.
5. Top with cherries (or can use chocolate chip also).
6. Bake at 160 degrees for 15-20 minutes until light brown.

These butter cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee ☕- absolutely irresistible! I’m already planning to bake a bigger batch for Chinese New Year. Next up, I’ll be experimenting with more cookies and cakes, and of course, I’ll be sharing all the fun (and recipes) right here on the blog. Stay tuned… until then, adios! 🎉🍪