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Not exactly predictable.
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(but can be completely clueless on other more important matters).
Likes her Joe (and her man?) black, her chocolate dark and her food spicy.
“Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu.” — Seneca

Total Posts   191      Last Updated   23 November 2015 12:00 PM (GMT +8)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012


Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips



Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


Now, before any of you get too excited looking at the title of this post, let me stress that I'm no cake decorating professional. But seeing that I've promised not too long ago to come up with some tips for those of you at home who may be as enthusiastic as I am when it comes to making an entrance, here goes what I hope would be of a little assistance in your creative adventures.

What I'd like to achieve here is to provide you the foundation of building tall, majestic cakes fit for any celebration while minimizing risks of them being lopsided, sloppy, topple over (no kidding, this happened to me) or threatening to drive you mad. To construct a cake you can spread your artistic wings over, much similar to baking the cake itself, techniques are crucial.
Hence I will not focus (much) on which piping tip to use or how to make your rose petals more frilly. Those will be the least of your concerns and really, the last 5 minutes of your 4-hour workload. (I know, the real 'fun' doesn't last as long but then you'll spend the next few hours admiring your masterpiece - at least, that's what I do.)

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


1. In Great Shape - Flat Cake Layers

Most cakes are suitable to be layered - from sturdy butter to cloudy chiffon cakes - some easier than others. No matter which cake you choose, bake it well and even. Geometrically sound layers will allow you to stack them high, without adding unnecessary amount of frosting in between. Keeping them in good shape also opens up more options to what you wish to slap within the layers - jam, compote, curd, whipped caramel cream - because buttercream is not the end of it. That said, you don't want to put so much love into the cakes only to shave off inches off them because they domed or cracked just a tad too much. Drier cakes have the tendency to dome more, ditto with layers baked in smaller diameter pans. I use bake even strips like these when baking any layers rising more than 1 inch. If you don't already own these and is due for a show-stopping cake tomorrow, bake at a lower temperature for longer - this will do the trick as well. Another plus point of using these strips is the sides of the cake remains moist, with a crust almost similar to the bottom, which is almost always protected by baking paper. Some readers have asked if it's better to bake individual layers or bake a tall cake then slice it. I'd say the former, to reduce doming and risk of a dry outcome. The only drawback would be the need to own more than one cake pan of the same size.

Pictured above is this pandan cake, which I modified from Magnolia Bakery's infamous vanilla cupcake. This one is moist and tender out of the oven due to the extra fat in coconut milk and liquid from the pandan paste, so the layers hardly domed. Since I didn't need to level off the top, you may ask how then, did I taste test the cake? (I always taste test, even if it's for my own consumption. This cake though, was for a client.) Scrape off the bits from your pans or crumbs falling off while removing the cake - a little, is really enough for the baker (unfortunately). To level my cakes, I use a long, serrated bread knife. I find it effective enough without the need of adding yet another space hoarder in the form of a cake leveller (which I know a lot of people swear by, so go with what you're comfortable with). If your layers are soft and crumbly, chill the cake for about 30 minutes before slicing. Gently saw off the offending dome just below the line where it forms around the cake, rotating as you go. When all your layers are identical in shape, it won't take much work to make a cake like this.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


2. Rock Solid Foundation - Hello Freezer!

Since my first ever layer cake attempt, I've never once written a recipe for you in which I failed to express my undying affection for the freezer. It has little to do with the Singaporean weather (though as you may already know, I'd love to stick my head into it every now and then) but more with what happens to each cake layer as they freeze. No, they won't change in texture and flavor. No, they won't require thawing before icing. What they will do is turn into these steady blocks of bricks you can muck around with on your decorating station without fear. As you place your second layer of cake on top of the first frosted layer, if it's slightly out of alignment, you can easily push it around to adjust. Try doing that with a room temperature cake, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Triple wrap your cakes with cling film and stack them neatly. You can even forget about them for up to 3 days. 30 minutes to an hour of freezing will do wonders. Just ensure the layers are laid on a flat surface with nothing touching against them. The layers will gradually thaw as you ice your cake. Cool cakes will also crumb less while coating and at the same time keep frosting held in place.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


3. Tools of the Trade - Be Well Equipped

Now we've come to the bit most people are afraid of - building the tower. To do this without pain, you'll need a few tools. As most cakes you bake will be round, a cake decorating turntable will be of great service. Or, if you're like me, a Lazy Susan from IKEA, for less than half the cost. Heavy-based and steady turntables may be an expensive investment you'd want to wait out, unless you plan to bake a lot of big cakes. The Lazy Susan is steady and heavy enough, its low profile also provides no room for any falling off accidents. Please, please save yourselves from potential heartaches and refrain from buying any of those plastic ones which weigh less than your finished cake. You will also need at least one spatula. If you insist of having only one, I'd suggest the offset - I find this works better when smoothing off the top of a cake. Otherwise, keeping an extra flat one would come in handy when you start playing with multiple frostings or very tall cakes.

Some cake decorators prefer to smooth sides of cakes using the pastry/dough cutter. This is an optional tool I rarely use for cakes but have one anyway for making bread and pastry dough. As for cake boards, they are only required if you wish to move your cake around after decorating - in the case of LIG, from the cake stand for a photo shoot into a box for delivery. If the cake is not going anywhere and your fridge has enough room to house the cake on the serving platter/stand of your choice, ice it directly on the presentation platform. Place four to five strips of baking paper around the perimeter of the cake board/stand/platter to keep everything clean after the messy bits are over.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


4. Cement Dressing - The Crucial Crumb Coat

If there is one mantra you want to remember out if this TLDR post, repeat this after me: always, always, crumb coat. As long as you're building a house without exposed bricks, the crumb coat to a cake is what the first layer of cement is to a wall. The crumb coat is named such because it seals off the cake with a thin, imperfect layer of frosting. It prevents loose crumbs of cake from screwing up your frosting and gives the assembled cake its initial shape. If the frosting is lighter than the cake layers, the crumb coat plays an extra role of masking the cake before final, pristine layer of frosting is applied. A cake set with crumb coat makes the next step of frosting or decorating easier, providing a surface for smooth application and right temperature for setting.

Pastry chef Stella Parks of my favorite Bravetart did this superb video of levelling and crumb coating a carrot cake. From there, notice how the turntable play its role - very much like how pot sculptors use them. Also note Stella's detailed techniques covering the amount of frosting to use to the movement of your spatula. If you don't have a turntable, there's no need to fret. You can still make the cake of your dreams, only it will take more time. See here, how Emma Gardner of Poires au Chocolat covered her cake with chocolate ganache, straight on a plate on the bench.

A note on frostings - not all frostings are easy to work with. To combat the hot and humid climate here, I've not attempted to use normal buttercream - basic of whipped butter and icing sugar. Swiss meringue buttercream, relying on the structure of aerated egg whites, works best and keeps its shape well at room temperature. Chocolate ganache and fudge are also easy to frost, as long as they are at the right temperature and texture. Other than these, I've also worked with cream cheese, mascarpone, sour cream and 7-minute frosting.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


5. Art Deco - Piping, Swirls and Frills

Finally, you sigh. The fun bit, you say. Yes, this is also the easiest bit. With the right tools and ingredients, decorating is not difficult. In fact it's very much up to you. This is where you express yourself, on a cake. I prefer minimalistic approaches, with some class (hopefully). For piped decoration, I prefer these disposable piping bags. Snip, fill, pipe, dump - the last thing I need after a few hours of stressing over a cake is to clean a greasy piping bag, what with 1000 other soiled dishes and utensils waiting in the sink. As for piping nozzles, they are relatively cheap, so I'd say go crazy and experiment. I started with a basic set of round, star and closed star nozzles, and then experimented with different sizes. Ultra small ones are to pipe words and things like this, while really huge ones can be used to pipe cookie dough and frost cupcakes. For the roses on this cake, I used this tip.

How do I learn my piping techniques? Watch those videos. There are plenty out there - this one is for the rose cake. Then practice, practice, practice. If you mess up, no need to worry. Just scrape the buttercream off. Sometimes even I forget that. Just remember not to overfill your piping bag and twist it shut neatly before piping. Under the heat of the Equator, my hands are normally warm enough to melt down frostings towards the end bits of the piping bag. I would refill the bag and discard the compromised portion before piping the next round.

Aside from piping, sometimes alternative options are simple yet beautiful. Other than the obvious, sugary sparkles, consider things like cocoa nibs, chocolate sprinkles, roasted and crushed nuts of your choice, desiccated coconut - these add textures and flavor as well. Fresh berries provide natural pops of color, with minimal effort. Got a chocolate covered cake? Sprinkle over some salt flakes and you're all set.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


I'm also a firm believer in taking things slow and steady. When faced with the task of a frosted layer cake, I almost always divide the job over two days, sometimes longer. That way, I don't need to spend the whole day in the kitchen and I, along with my cake layers, have enough time to chill. Cake layers can be baked up to 3 days in advance. Fillings like jam, coulis or curd can be made days before, covered well and chilled. Buttercream can be frozen or chilled, brought to room temperature and whipped to fluffiness before using. Ganache and other frostings are best made fresh, though I have successfully used leftover frozen chocolate fudge frosting on these cupcakes. If you are preparing your piece of grandeur for an important occasion, it's best to prepare and frost the day before. This way, in case anything goes pear-shaped with the frosting, you'll have enough time to get more ingredients and scheme a backup plan. I am, of course, telling you this from experience.

Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips


So there you have it, my amateur guide to decorating cakes at home. Hopefully you're still awake. For more details, feel free to leave a question or an email, otherwise we'd be here all day. Meanwhile, have fun with your cakes!
Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips

Cake and frosting recipe almost similar to this.
Yield: One 8-inch 3-layer cake

Note: Main changes to the recipe - I doubled the amount of pandan leaves and used only the settled sediment/paste in the cake batter (no ombre this time). I also used up all of the gula Melaka reduction in one recipe of the buttercream. It's important to note that if you want to frost this cake with all those piped roses, you need double the amount of Swiss meringue buttercream (using 10 egg whites).

    For the extract:
  • 30-35 pieces mature pandan leaves, washed and snipped into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons water
    For the cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup/2 sticks/227 grams unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated/castor sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup fresh coconut milk
    For the frosting:
  • 100 grams gula Melaka, crushed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 300 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 5 large egg whites
  • 220 grams granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Prepare the pandan extract: With a mortar and pestle or a blender, mash the leaves finely along with the water into a paste. Use as little water as possible. Press through a fine sieve or squeeze through cheesecloth to extract the green juice only. You should obtain at least 100 ml liquid. If you have the time, let it sit for a few hours, or overnight in the fridge. The green extract will settle at the bottom and you can remove the excess water before using.

Bake the cake layers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line and grease cake tins, set aside. In a small bowl, combine the flours, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Pour settled pandan extract into measuring cup, discarding the excess water). Add in the coconut milk until mixture measures 1 cup, then combine well. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the coconut milk mixture. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, taking care not to overbeat.

Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the mixing bowl to make sure all the ingredients are well blended. Divide batter into cake pans evenly. Bake each layer for about 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack before icing. You can, at this point, cling wrap and chill/freeze the cake layers for later use.

Make the frosting: In a heavy-based saucepan over medium low heat, melt the gula Melaka with the water. Stir till all the sugar has melted, then let it reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely to room temperature. The caramel will thicken more as it cools. If it becomes too thick, thin out with a little bit of water before using.
Combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk frequently, keeping it over the heat, until the mixture reaches about 160°F/70°C and the sugar has dissolved (rub some between your fingers - if it feels grainy, it hasn't dissolved).

Transfer the mixture to a mixer with a whisk attached and beat on medium-high for 8 minutes, until stiff peaks have formed and the mixture has cooled to room temperature. Turn down the speed to medium and start adding small chunks of butter, checking that it has incorporated before adding more. Keep beating until it comes together, this will take about 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla. With the mixer running, slowly drizzle in the gula Melaka caramel, beating until well combined.

Assemble the cake: Secure the bottom cake layer onto the cake board with some frosting. Layer on frosting and add on the cake layers accordingly. Coat the entire cake with a thin crumb coat, then chill the cake for 15-20 minutes. Decorate as desired with piped roses - see video link in post above.

Do ahead: The pandan extract can be prepared beforehand and chilled until required. Cake layers can be made up to 3 days before, frozen within 3 layers of cling wrap. Swiss meringue buttercream can be made ahead and refrigerated till needed. Bring to room temperature and whip to a smooth consistency before frosting. The buttercream requires no refrigeration for up to 5 days. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3 weeks and in the freezer for at least 3 months.



Related Posts:

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Best Birthday Cake
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Buttercream Cake with Ganache Drizzle
Lemon Layer Cake with 7-Minute Frosting

posted by PickYin @ 9/12/2012 05:11:00 PM

44 Comments on Pandan Gula Melaka Layer Cake and Decorating Tips

Hi Pick Yin

Stumbled upon your blog and I just have to tell you, you made lovely cakes. Keep it up and I really hope that I will have the patience to do what you are doing with all your cakes!! Simply lovely and thanks for sharing.

Rachel

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Sep 12, 2012, 6:16:00 PM  

This is such a great tutorial! One question - when the frozen cakes thaw don't they leak a little liquid into the frosting? Or is that not a problem if you have a crumb coat?

Posted by Anonymous thelittleloaf, at Sep 12, 2012, 8:24:00 PM  

awesome cakes, as always!

Posted by Blogger terri@adailyobsession, at Sep 12, 2012, 10:44:00 PM  

Thank you, thank you, thank you :-)

Posted by Anonymous lina_to_u, at Sep 13, 2012, 5:42:00 AM  

Hello Pick Yin,
so gorgeous and beautiful cake! i am so buying the lazy susan from ikea-i also thought of buying it months ago but now that i actually see it being used, i will buy it too! thanks for the very useful tips!
Lara

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Sep 13, 2012, 9:23:00 AM  

Great entry! It's so hard to decorate a cake without a turntable..and im so getting the lazy susan..thanks for the highlights!

Posted by Blogger Ribbon and Circus, at Sep 13, 2012, 1:04:00 PM  

Its looking exotic!!!! Thanks a ton for the step by step instruction with the help of photographs. It really helps.

And please do join my dinner extravaganza. Its going to run whole weekend. http://www.thelady8home.com/2012/09/13/weekend-gala-dinner-extravaganza-week-2/

Posted by Anonymous Minnie(@thelady8home), at Sep 13, 2012, 3:06:00 PM  

thelittleloaf: A properly baked cake shouldn't bleed anything when thawing. Liquid is coming from the surrounding humidity, not from the cake itself. Since the cake is being covered with frosting in the process of thawing, the moisture content of the actual cake is not changed. HTH!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Sep 13, 2012, 3:58:00 PM  

Gorgeous. I don't like frosting on cake as much I prefer the plain version but just because it looks so so pretty.. i am gonna give this a try :)

Posted by Anonymous kankana, at Sep 14, 2012, 12:49:00 AM  

o my... that is a beautiful cake. I'm almost always fearful of eating beautiful cakes.

Posted by Anonymous phi, at Sep 14, 2012, 7:12:00 AM  

First time visitor to your blog via TasteSpotting. Beautiful cake! And nice tutorial, as well. I've never tasted - nor even heard of - gula melaka. What is the flavor profile comparable to? Thanks for sharing!

Posted by Anonymous Dawn | KitchenTravels, at Sep 14, 2012, 8:31:00 AM  

Dawn: Gula Melaka is palm sugar, traditionally wrapped in strips of palm leaves. It's used widely in Thai and Malay cooking and desserts.

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Sep 14, 2012, 8:49:00 AM  

Absolute great looking cake.

Posted by Anonymous Nicole, at Sep 14, 2012, 11:20:00 AM  

So where does a regular Jill find Pandan Leaves and Gulu Melaka??

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Sep 17, 2012, 12:20:00 PM  

Anon: That depends on where you are. Most Asian grocers will carry both.

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Sep 17, 2012, 2:34:00 PM  

ohhhhhh pandan cake!!! Not only it is gorgeous but it looks amazingly tasty! thanks for posting this- I've got to make it. And some pandan extract!!! Great idea! thanks

ps- totally LOVE your website!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Sep 19, 2012, 7:30:00 PM  

Anon: Thank you. I totally ripped the idea off a similar cake from Cedele. Happy trying!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Sep 19, 2012, 7:35:00 PM  

Beautiful swirls...
This is my 2nd time reading... trying to digest slowly... looks like there'll be 3rd and 4th and many more visiting this post... I am SLOW
Much appreciated for the tutorial :D

Posted by Blogger Lisa Ho, at Sep 21, 2012, 9:21:00 AM  

May I ask how do u tell if the cake has thaw nside the frosting? Do you wait for it to thaw before you cut the cake?
Thks
ST

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Sep 23, 2012, 9:00:00 AM  

Hi Pickyin!
I've been baking for friends and family quite a bit lately, recently baked my aunt's pandan cake recipe. Also coupled it with your gula melaka buttercream. Heaven! :)

A friend has been asking to make one for her and willing to pay! Mind if I name it Pandan cake with Pickyin's Gula Melaka Buttercream to put it on my facebook?
;)

Posted by Anonymous Miza, at Oct 9, 2012, 2:57:00 PM  

That rose decoration on the cake is just looks very different. Very creative and nice recipe. It can be a birthday party cake.

Posted by Anonymous Bakery shop, at Oct 9, 2012, 5:03:00 PM  

Gorgeous cake! Will definitely come back for the technique! Found your blog through SmittenKitchen group on Flickr.

Posted by Anonymous Julia | JuliasAlbum.com, at Oct 17, 2012, 5:57:00 PM  

I usually prefer eating my cakes plain but your frosted cake is so beautiful, how can anyone resist this piece of art! Stumbled on your blog and am amazed not only by your cake, but also by how you take such effort to share tips without any reservation. Keep baking because you are an inspiration :)

DT

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Oct 22, 2012, 7:10:00 PM  

Hi Pick Yin,

THANK YOU for this post! I love the details and the link to the youtube tutorial! My pandan extract is settling in the fridge now!

How long can the assembled cake (i.e. with buttercream on) keep at room temperature?

Joyce

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Oct 25, 2012, 1:14:00 PM  

DT: Thank you!

Joyce: You can keep it overnight. Since the cake contains coconut milk, it's best chilled after 2 days out.

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Oct 29, 2012, 10:40:00 AM  

Hi there!
First of all I have to say AMAZING CAKE!! It just looks so luscious and tantalizing...and is it a coincidence that i've been dreaming of eating a pandan cake for say..2 years now but never being able to :(

I stumbled across your blog whilst searching how Swiss meringue buttercream would react in the hot and humid malaysian climate. I'm making an engagement cake for a friend, a two tiered red velvet and white cake combo with ganache between the layers...and i was toying with the idea of swiss meringue just because i don't think cream cheese would shine with the ganache. My question is : Is it okay to frost the cake first and then store it overnight in the fridge? The event is on Saturday and she needs to pick up the cake on Friday..i'm just so afraid that the icing will be gloop by the time of the engagement! more so because it's going to be on display as hantaran! Any help would be much appreciated

Posted by Blogger Nafeesah, at Nov 4, 2012, 9:49:00 AM  

Nafeesah: Sorry for the late reply.

For a tiered cake, yes, you can ice each individual layers the day before the cake is to be assembled. The icing holds well at room temperature.

It's best if you can assemble the cake on site at your friend's place because SMBC, unlike fondant, is less forgiving if, you know, anything happens. Let the cake be on display as long as required, but I'd say chill it slightly before serving as most people don't like the taste of SMBC at room temperature.

ALL THE BEST!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Nov 6, 2012, 10:00:00 AM  

My mother decorated cakes for a while when I was a child. She made many a doll cake, and many a rose on the rose nail. I myself have decorated a cake or two, even doing a stint during my late teens in a store bakery. However, I never have mastered roses. This cake is absolutely stunning.

Posted by Blogger Carole, at Nov 23, 2012, 4:20:00 AM  

I am so disappointed after baking this cake, it was a total failure, especially the frosting, it was runny and far too sweet, I don't really see the frosting recipe working as I followed the instructions carefully, the frosting never set even in a cold fridge, I will stick to my well tried and tested Pandan chiffon cake.
Jade.

Posted by Blogger suzie, at Aug 25, 2013, 10:41:00 AM  

Hi!!! Just happened to look at your blog..........and fell in love with your writing!!! I enjoyed just READING your explanations, although I probably will not try them- (on weight watchers..) but loved reading HOW to do it and all your experiences and suggestions! Keep up the blog- it is just wonderful reading!

Posted by Anonymous Shelley, at Oct 5, 2013, 2:53:00 PM  

How beautiful is this????

Posted by Blogger Unknown, at Jan 10, 2014, 11:50:00 PM  

If I already have pandan extract, how much of that should I use?
Thanks and the cake looks great!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Mar 6, 2014, 8:12:00 PM  

Hi Anon, if you have the extract already, use about 40ml. Hope this helps!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Mar 10, 2014, 12:34:00 PM  

Hi Pickyin,
I tried making your pandan cake but it turned out dense. More like kueh bakar. I followed your recipe to a T but this happened. I wonder what went wrong.
The frosting was divine though.
-desertrose

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Feb 14, 2015, 10:55:00 PM  

desertrose: Sorry to hear that, I've double checked the recipe and there are no errors compared to the one I referenced.

Since there are other readers who've tried it out successfully and it's a pretty basic cake recipe, I suggest you give it another go and see if it works.

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Feb 16, 2015, 9:39:00 AM  

hi,can cream cheese frosting we use for rose deco on the cake. i ve try one,but its too soft make it the rose not really nice n melt easily. please advise me.

tq.
widad

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Jul 29, 2015, 12:36:00 PM  

Hi...I baked this cake and the layers shrunk after baking and was thin. May I know what went wrong? I used coconut milk from the box. The taste was good though. I tried twice and both same results...

Posted by Anonymous Resh, at Aug 6, 2015, 9:42:00 AM  

Resh: I suggest thinning the coconut milk slightly and ensure that the coconut milk plus pandan extract come to 1 cup. I used freshly squeezed coconut milk, which may have been the difference.

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Aug 11, 2015, 11:52:00 AM  

Hi PickYin! Love your post and your clear and concise explanations. Can't wait to try baking this~

One question I have is, can I use the same recipe if I would like to make the cupcake version of your Pandan Gula Melaka Cake?

Posted by Anonymous Ana, at Aug 11, 2015, 3:47:00 PM  

Ana: Yes, you can use the same recipe. Bake for 15 minutes and then check every 3 minutes. All the best!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Aug 11, 2015, 3:52:00 PM  

Hi Pickyin,

Stumbled upon your Instagram while looking at great cakes' pix - totally fall in love with your Pandan cake with gula melaka frosting. I plan to bake it for my hubby's upcoming birthday in Sep.

Before I start to practise, quick questions from my side:-
Can I use kara brand coconut cream for this cake? Will it be too thick?
Also, can I use Pandan paste instead? Any adjustment needed? I have frozen Pandan leaves but it's too precious to me - I use it for variety baking and cooking. Pandan leaves are just too expensively sold in Hk.

Also, will use my toaster oven to bake (wish me luck!)

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Cheers,
Tammy, a fellow Malaysian in hk

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous, at Aug 11, 2015, 11:46:00 PM  

Tammy: You can use Kara but thin it out. The consistency should be similar to first press fresh coconut milk (close to full fat whole milk). Dilute the pandan paste and mix it with the thinned out coconut milk to make total of 1 cup liquid.

Since it's for a special occasion, I suggest doing a dry run first. All the best!

Posted by Blogger PickYin, at Aug 12, 2015, 8:50:00 AM  

Hi PickYin,

Can I ask a silly question? How much did you pour into each cake tin or what is the height of the batter in each tin? Reason because my toaster oven can fit up to max. 17cm cake tin size hence this recipe might be too much for me.

I have never bake individual layers before hence a bit kancheong spider especially the thought of making it for a special occasion.

Thanks a lot for your time and support - appreciate it.

Cheers,
Tammy

Posted by Blogger Unknown, at Aug 18, 2015, 3:53:00 PM  

Can i substitute the pandan with pandan flavoured paste? And how much shld i use?

Posted by Blogger Unknown, at May 9, 2017, 8:32:00 AM  


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