Nutella Swiss Roll

I have attempted this before and it isn't as easy as it seems! This is my 2nd attempt. It is not very good but somewhat better than my first round where I couldn't even roll my cake!

90g self raising flour (sifted)

3 eggs lightly beaten

115g caster sugar

160g jam (I use nutella)

icing sugar to sprinkle

1. Preheat oven to 190deg C

2. Lightly grease a shallow 2 x 25cm x 30cm tray and line with baking paper extending over the 2 long sides

3. Sift flour three times onto baking paper

4. Beat eggs using electric beater till pale. Add 115g sugar gradually beating constantly till mixture is pale and glossy. Transfer into large bowl and use metal spoon to fold in the flour quickly and lightly

5. Spread onto the tin and smooth the surface. Bake for 10-12 min till golden brown

6. Place a clean tea towel on a work surface and lay another sheet of baking paper over

7. using tea towel as a guide, carefully roll cake up from the short side rolling the paper inside the roll. Put rolled cake onto a wire rack for 5min then unroll and allow cake to cool

8. Spread with nutella and re-roll. Trim sides with knife and sprinkle icing sugar on top

9. Cut and serve

(Adapted from: Baking - A Commonsense Guide)

Orange Stars

I got myself a baking book cos I can't bake the proper way. This book explains with very clear instructions on why cakes turn out this way and hints and tips to prevent a disastrous cake in the making. It also provides very precise instructions on what can go wrong and how to make things right. It is very useful for people like me who always have failed in cakes and cookies. This 374 page bible "Baking - A Commonsense Guide" showcases all kinds of baked goods like cakes, muffins, friands (pronounced as free ons), biscuits, slices, pastry, baked desserts and breads & scones. Alot of ingredients seem very foreign to me and I don't think I'm able to get them here. Anyhow here's something I could attempt and lay my fingers on (and taste buds).



Original Recipe for Lemon Stars but I have since adapted to Orange Stars. This is the original quantity but I have halved it for convenience and practical reasons.

125g unsalted butter, cubed and softened

125g caster sugar

2 egg yolks

2 tsp finely grated lemon zest (I replace with orange with 1 tsp of the juice extracted from it)

155g plain flour

110g cornmeal

1. Preheat oven to 160deg c

2. Line a baking tray with baking paper

3. Beat butter and sugar till creamy

4. Mix in egg yolk, orange zest, flour and cornmeal until a soft dough forms (I couldn't reach this so I used my fingers to start rolling and kneading)

5. Roll out on a lightly floured surface of 1cm

6. Cut out stars from biscuit cutter and bake for 15-20min

7. Let cool on wire rack. Dust with icing sugar if desired