MJ cake ‘n ‘ more empire

17/01/2025

FLAVOUR

Flavour is the distinctive taste of a food or drink.

Flavours are very essential and make your cakes or drink smell nice and good. Some clients will tell you that they don't like the taste of your cake or drink and some can give you kudos to your work that is waooh!

Flavours give the baked goods a unique taste that makes it very alluring. These flavours comes mostly in bottles and in variety of brands. There are various kinds of flavours like vanilla, strawberry, condensed milk, butterscotch, banana, chocolate, mint, exotic fruit etc

We have different types of flavours
1. Extracts
2. Essence

EXTRACTS
Extracts are natural flavour. It is a concentrated flavourings that comes from different food and plants diluted with alcohol. Extracts can be got from many items like spices, nut, herbs, chocolate, vanilla etc. these items are put into alcohol.
Extract is much stronger, richer flavour, is a natural product made by soaking pods in a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water.
E.g Mekang flavours, Payless flavours etc. This solution is then referred to an extract. For example vanilla extract.

ESSENCE
Essence is an artifical flavour. It is commercially manufactured by chemicals and they are distilled with steam from fruits, spices and plants. E.g Foster clark, Essence Citron, Rayners e.t.c

The extract has a stronger flavour than the essence. If you require one tablespoon of extract, replace it with two tablespoons of the essence. If the recipe calls for essence and you'd rather use extract you may like to use a little less.

Most bakers use flavours according to their recipes and some combine different flavours to give
cakes a unique taste which gives it their signature taste.

For instance, we can combine some flavours together for cakes, except lime flavour because of it high / harsh taste.

(COMBINATION OF FLAVOURS)
Types of flavour that goes together
*Vanilla + butterscotch
*Vanilla + condensed milk
*Vanilla + evaporated milk
*Vanilla + banana
*Strawberry + condensed milk
* Strawberry + butterscotch
*Butterscotch + condensed milk
*Banana + condensed milk
*Vanilla + lemon
*Condensed milk+ banana
*Vanilla+ butterscotch+ chocolate
*Vanilla + milk fantasy+ butterscotch
*Vanilla + milk emulsion
*Vanilla +strawberry for Red velvet
*Chocolate + cofee for chocolate
*Vanilla + milk zest
*Coconut+ banana+ Vanilla
*Coconut + Banana
* Coconut + Butterscotch
* Lemon + Almond

Some recipes call for extract while others ask for essence. But most time we just use what we have here in Nigeria.

These two flavours are different.
Also a cake can get its flavour from the different ingredients that are used to make it. These include butter, margarine, dried fruit, chocolate, coffee etc.

Powdered flavour
This is also an artificial flavour powdered form. This powdered flavour is popular in Nigeria. They do not really produce intense flavour. I'm not really a fan of this kind of flavour at all.

Alcohol and liqueur
These are often used in cakes to enhance the flavour in cakes like fruit cake etc.
They also used to soak dried fruits. Alcohol like brandy, rum, vodka etc can be used.

Most of the alcohol used in baking actually evaporates so don't be scared that your customer will be drunk. They also aid in enhancing the taste of a cake or whatever is been baked.

Citrus flavour
As the name implies, these are flavour that are got from citrus fruits like oranges, lime, lemon etc. to get the flavour you could either use the peel or the outer part called the zest.

Zest is best got when grated on the finest holes of your grater. It does not have to be cooked first . Using it that way you keep all of the flavour from the natural oils in your baking.
Lemon zest has an intense lemon/citrus flavor with very little bitterness. The bitterness is primarily found in the white part of the lemon. So when grating the lemon be careful not to grate into the white surface immediately after the zest.
Zest of citrus can be used in fruit cakes, sponge cakes , pound cakes etc.

Coffee
Coffee can be used as a flavour. We all know the rich aroma that coffee can produce. It's flavour is great in tiramisu cake, chocolate cake, red velvet cake etc. To use coffee, it has to be brewed. Sometimes the recipe may call for a particular brand but as usual I always use whatever I have and it comes out nice.

Other things that be used for flavour are nuts like almond, peanut, coconut etc. and fresh fruits. Depending on what kind of cake you want to make.
So let's learn to choose our flavour wisely and appropriately .

07/01/2025

White Velvet Cake Recipe

Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature

For the Frosting
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt

Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another small bowl, combine the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, butter, and oil together until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg whites to the butter mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the milk mixture to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a bit more heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Once the cakes have cooled, spread a layer of frosting between each cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

YUMMY 🍰🍰🍰

13/12/2024

🎉 Just completed level 3 and I'm so excited to continue growing as a creator on Facebook!

11/12/2024

LEARNING TIME

Ingredients:
For the pastry:

4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
200g cold Butter, cubed
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup (60ml) cold water

For the filling:
•3/4 pound (350g) Ground beef
5 Irish Potato, peeled and diced into small cubes
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Large Carrot, peeled and diced
1 cup (240ml) Water/beef broth
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Thyme
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons Oil
1 egg for brushing

How to prepare:

-Make the pastry: in a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
-Add cubed butter and rub it with the flour until you get a crumbly texture.
-Beat 2 eggs with cold water and add it to the flour mixture, mix until dough is formed. Cover for 30mins.
-Make the filling: in a large pan heat oil. Add onion and sauté for 5-6 mins.
-Add diced carrots and cook for 3-4 mins.
-Add the meat, breaking it apart, for 4-5 mins; Season with salt, pepper, thyme and flour.
-Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll out the dough into 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out a round shape with your desired sized.
-8. Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture in the center and fold over the dough. Seal it with your fingers or with a fork. Poke the pies with a fork to create a steam outlet while baking brush the pies with beaten egg.
-Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden. Cool slightly before serving.

10/12/2024

Might be useful
HOW TO MAKE SHORTBREAD

Recipe

- 250g flour
- 200g margarine / butter
- 80g powdered (confectioner's) sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered milk
- 100g cornflour

Procedure

1. In a bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together.
2. Add the powdered milk and mix to combine
3. Sift in the flour and cornflour, then mix until a dough forms.

4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. Lightly dust a clean surface with cornflour. Roll the dough out.

7. Cut into desired shapes and place on the prepared baking sheet.

8. Bake for 30 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges.

9. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring.

✅✅✅✅✅✅✅

07/12/2024

This might be helpful

18/11/2024

Nigerian Fish Roll Recipe

Ingredients:
For the Dough:

400g plain flour
100g margarine or butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg
½ cup water (or enough to form a non-stretchy dough)

For the Filling:

1 or 2 fresh mackerel fish (or canned tuna/mackerel)
1 small onion, sliced
1 grated carrot (optional)
Salt to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:
Prepare the Fish Filling:
If using fresh mackerel, boil it with water, salt, and seasoning until cooked.

Allow it to cool, then debone and mash the fish. If using canned fish, simply mash it.
In a pan, heat some oil and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the grated carrot (if using) and stir.

Add the mashed fish, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir well and set aside to cool.

Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the margarine or butter and mix until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the egg and mix well. Gradually add water and knead until you get a smooth, non-stretchy dough. Let it rest for about 5 minutes.

Assemble the Rolls:
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into rectangles.
Place a spoonful of the fish filling at one end of each rectangle. Roll the dough over the filling and seal the edges with a little water.
Fry the Rolls:

Heat oil in a deep pan. Fry the rolls in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Enjoy your crispy and tasty Nigerian Fish Rolls! 🐟🥖

10/11/2024

NOTE: not our recipe but it can ba helpful
Homemade Bread recipe...You can bake it for Breakfast 🥰

- 4 Cups of Plain/ All Purpose Flour
- 50g of Butter or Margarine
- ½ Cup of Sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Yeast
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Cup of Water (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Flavour

Procedure
- Mix all Dry ingredients together with the butter or Margarine in a bowl together
- Then add the Eggs, Flavour and water ...
- Combine and mix all the ingredients together using your hook / dough mixer attachment for 30 minutes ( you can knead with your hands too)
- Afterwards, Bring it out onto your Work surface, then knead the dough thoroughly
- Cut and roll the dough, then mould or fold to your desired shape
- Place the ready- to- bake bread dough in a slightly greased loaf pan and allow to proof for 45 minutes in a warm place
- Then Bake

10/11/2024

How to make EGGLESS chinchin

Ingredients
4 cups flour
4 tablespoon sugar or more
1 teaspoon baking powder
Little salt
Half of Magarine(125g)
1 cup water
2 tablespoon powdered milk
1 teaspoon butterscotch flavour(optional).

Mix dry ingredients together.
Add Magarine and mix.
Add the water and knead well till soft. I added 2 tablespoon water to make it softer.
Cover for like 10 minutes before Rolling, cutting and frying.
So lovely and tasty and not HARD..
Do give this a try.

19/09/2024

Buttercream icing recipe:
1kg icing sugar
450g margarine.
1tbsp milk
1 tsp any flavour of your choice.

Procedure
Cream add margarine then add icing sugar, mix till well combined.
Add milk and flavor, mix until properly combined.

Your buttercream

11/09/2024

Plantain lovers

28/08/2024