standing theory

In the last few weeks, I have been craving for citrus poppyseed muffins. And the quest for some decent citrus poppyseed cake felt like forever. Thankfully, the search came to a halt at this gem of a café. Which led  me to believe that the universe sends precisely what you need, when you need.

Standing Theory continues to charm my heart with their decision to bring in the lemon poppyseed cake and other sweet treats. Come here with a book or a friend because what they lack in coffee, they make up for in cakes.

T.

flourless milo chocolate cake

We should really start making flourless things more often. They make fudgy cakes. Like this Flourless Chocolate Cake with a dash of Milo. I'm not even kidding.

I was desperate and it was sort of like a found-myself-without-an-eraser-during-exam-time situation. The recipe calls for cocoa but I thought I would be adventurous. I hardly ever. My cocoa ran out. 

It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. So much more satisfying than flour things.

(recipe adopted and adjusted from Epicurious)

100g fine-quality bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milo powder

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and butter an 8 inch round baking pan. Line bottom with non-stick parchment paper.
2. Chop chocolate into small pieces. Set bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water, melt chocolate with butter, stir until smooth.
3. Remove bowl from heat. Add sugar, eggs and whisk well.
4. Sift milo powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.
5. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until top has formed a thin crust.
6. Remove from oven, cool cake in pan on a rack for 5 minutes and invert onto a serving plate.

Dust cake with icing sugar or milo powder if desired.

I am going to bake this thing and make it a ritual every week. Real life right here.

T.

sprezzatura coffee

Last week, I attended my first gig and sat through an abysmal food poisoning by the back of the bar. Head down, if not leaning on my partner's shoulder, no big deal. But I was there, in the thick of an indie rock show, hearing the bits blare across acres of nodding heads.

You must think that was irrelevant. I thought so too. But I thought you might fancy some reminder not to eat a day old apple cake, just in case. Did you watch that scene when Snow White was fooled to eating a poisonous red apple? Yeah, we're better than that.

On the day I visited Sprezzatura was the day I attended my second live concert. A little traumatized by my previous experience, I made sure to steer clear from cakes. 

Obviously, that didn't happen. 

It was accidental. 

Completely necessary. 

Ate them like hot cakes. 

Gula Melaka Pandan Cake, Mars Bar Cheesecake. Go get em'!

Don't forget the coffee. Always a good idea. And if you need some culinary thrill, their sandwiches and pastries hit just the right note as that grumble in your tummy. Unfortunately, Fad (the man pictured in the last photo) isn't up for sale. His wife would probably tell you that. Let's not get into trouble.

T.

fika at acme bar and coffee

Time surely flies.

One minute we're talking about September and that Green Day reference, and the next we're talking about October passing by swiftly. Studies have been overwhelming and my juggling skills are unparalleled. I suppose this is life and everything is alright. Mind over matter, right?

Last week I had the honour of hosting Pei of @skeletales from Singapore for a lovely three days vacation in KL. We visited some of my favourite cafes and managed a quick stopover at Acme for coffee and a shared slice of banana caramel cake (which was divine!). On her last day, we missed her a.m. flight because obviously, I couldn't let her go.

On a different note, a big THANK YOU to raedysethome for the short and sweet mention. This couple is a gem!

T.