Thursday, October 6, 2011

More means less

If a movie is a HUGE box office hit like the last “Batman”, there will always be several sequels. From one of the movie websites, Quote: “A staggering 7 out of the top 10 films were sequels raking in more than $866,000,000, not including rentals, DVD buys and other miscellaneous promotional purchases. Out of the top 3 films were 2 sequels that grossed over A BILLION DOLLARS!" 


Hey Quay Po, what are you blabbering about? This is not a Movie blog lah!  I know, but I am going to get to the point so bear with me okay? In other words if anything that is good, there has to be a sequel right?  Since the apricot pie was well received and there were some beauties left, I made a sequel dessert to it and it was the Apricot dessert cake. It did not rake in a million dollar profit but it had brought joy to my love ones who enjoyed that piece of cake. This is what money cannot buy. Many of us have been chasing after money for more than half of our lives and for some, our entire lives. In my opinion, I think we have cheated ourselves when we compromised happiness with money. Let us not forget the constant pursuit of more money to get more and better stuff  does not necessarily increase our happiness. I'd rather earn less, have less, but have more time to spend with my love ones than earn lots, and have more but have no time at all with them.  


For those who have missed the post of the apricot pie, you may click on the picture to go get the recipe if you like.

I have to confess that the apricot dessert cake tastes better than the pie but it is not as simple to make. However it is not a complicated recipe either. If I can handle it, that means it is a piece of cake for you talented bakers out there. I have to say the cake was as irresistable as honeysuckle to a swarm of bees. Don’t just take my words for it, try this recipe and let the unique taste convince you. To me, this cake is not only an opulent feast for the eyes, it is the most satisfying cake that had turned on the hungry beasts in my home. So, if you decided to do it, make more than one. 

Apricot dessert cake
Largely adapted from http://teaforsix.com



Cake ingredients:
90g unsalted butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup caster sugar
2/3 cup self-raising flour
pinch of salt
orange juice, 1 whole orange, heated
1 tbs rum
14 to 15 apricot, halved and remove seeds
2 tbs sugar
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon

Method:
Line a 8 in square baking tin with baking paper.
Cook apricot with sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon till slightly soft not limp.  Drain apricot well and set the syrup aside.
Melt the butter over a low heat and gently stir in the brown sugar.  Beat well until the butter is absorbed.  Spread this caramel evenly over the base of the tin.  Place the drained apricot halves (rounded side down) on top of the caramel.
Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry.  Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the sugar has dissolved.  Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift the flour and salt then gently fold into the egg mixture.  Then fold in the warmed orange juice.  Pour mixture over the apricots and smooth over.  Bake for in preheat oven of 175 degrees C for 30 minutes or until golden and springs back to the touch, or tested with a skewer.  Let the cake cool and run your knife around the sides before carefully inverting the tin to place the cake on the serving platter.

Meanwhile, heat orange juice the balance of syrup from cooking the apricot and rum and pour over the cake and leave to soak for a few minutes before serving with whipped cream or ice cream.  

49 comments:

  1. Another great recipe! Have to say your apricot pie looks really enticing... will have to try n get some apricots in KL (never really looked so dunno if can find it easily).

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  2. Perfect timing to try out this recipe. Apricots are coming into season here in Oz.

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  3. You know my friends used to tell me this," Eugene you should entertain more,play golf,clubbing,widen your network thus your business will be more and you can do it one,,,you can drive a BMW instead of Wira" Then i said to them,

    "My enjoyment is to spend time with my children, seeing them grow,laugh with them,joke with them,that's to me is my BMW and my million"

    thanks for sharing,, I love simplicity,, I love running, I love reading, I love spending time with my lovely wife over a beer or two,,,,,,,,,,,,

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  4. Is fresh apricot selling on the supermarket shelves now? If yes, I have to go and search for it to make this. If I can't find any, I would have to knock on your door to get a piece from you; if there's still left.

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  5. Those aprikot looks amazingly lovely!
    I guess the dessert is even more lovelies :)
    yes... there's are things that money can't buy - it's love from our loves ones & the taste of great food serving by our hand :)
    Tq for sharing the recipe quay po! Love it! ;)

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  6. I love Apricots and this dessert sounds and looks so yummy!

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  7. Wow, lovely dessert & I loves apricots too.

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  8. I love apricots! Wish I can have some.
    Was this made some time ago?
    I've been hunting to apricots but to no avail.
    The last time I came to see you, I bought some Californian Apricots at Jaya, but they were tasteless and fragrantless. Pathetic.

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  9. i love this post :) the apricot cake (and pie) looks sooooo good...i cant wait until its apricot season here!

    totally agree with what you said...about ppl in pursuit of making money thinking it equates to happiness...

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  10. A wise and delicious post!



    Warm Aloha from Honolulu;

    Comfort Spiral



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  11. Yummy...you have me drooling over your apricot cake..I just made one french plum cake...don't we love fresh fruit cake :) Thanks for sharing this mouth-watering cake...have bookmarked this for when there is a season for apricots :)

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  12. This looks like a Blog Office Hit.And million dollars worth:))

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  13. I initially thought you are going to review a movie.

    Unfortunately apricot is a little hard to get in my place here :( I normally get the canned one, not so fresh~

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  14. Very stunning photos! This cake is beautiful. I can't wait for the stone fruits season to arrive.

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  15. We only can get canned apricot over here. Loaded with preservatives. hehe

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  16. Wow, I'm already drooling just by looking at your pix! Hope I get the chance to try it someday :)

    Veron,u may wanna chk out this magic antidote that I've just tried & did a review: SK-II Wrinkle Specialist Review Cheers!

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  17. I agree with you that we should be contented with what we have, be grateful to the ones who love us, cherish the happy moments and laugh a lot. Life is so short to get angry and get upset. Thanks Quay Po.

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  18. Lovely lovely pics! I esp love the shot of the peach. I personally love pies more than cakes. Checking that out now.

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  19. Oh wow, that cake and pie look gorgeous. Quay Lo is one lucky man! ;)

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  20. oh yum~

    I don't got an oven though. Do you have any non bake dessert that you can share with me? ^_^

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  21. oooooo yummy.

    I'm absolutely drooling over those photos.

    Enjoying life simply is most rewarding.

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  22. I havent experimented much with fresh apricots. This looks yumm

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  23. I love simple life. True face, no mask... Just be me. Those apricots piece is very nice. Mind sending one piece over here Quay Po? Just kidding, gave a pleasant night. Good night.

    Angeline

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  24. I have always shied away from cooking desserts, since I'm not really well-versed with baking haha but this one looks like a great dish to try, and it looks really delectable, like a comfort food prepared by my mom, so yeah, I'd love to give this a try and serve it to my kids (when I have them in the future, that is lol)

    Thanks for sharing, Quay Po!

    Cheers,

    Wi
    A Single Girl's Musings

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  25. Quay Po this look delicious and amazing!! love it! gloria

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  26. It looks very good.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  27. Both look good...and I'm sure they both taste great! I love pies...and I love cakes too!

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  28. Looks really moist and I bet it tastes delicious!

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  29. oh yum! great comfort food for sure!! Love a slice please.

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  30. I never tasted anything similar. I wish I was not in a diet... It really looks delicious!

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  31. We just love the taste of fresh apricots, never had them in a dessert this must be heavenly!

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  32. I tend to only like apricots either dried or in baked goods...so I'm so excited to find these recipes!

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  33. This sequel is definitely a winner. Apricots are a favorite in my home and we would love both of these gorgeous desserts. Thanks for sharing and getting my mouth watering:) Gorgeous photos too.

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  34. OH, wow! Both your pie and cake look spectacular! I haven't had much luck finding decent fresh apricots, but if I do, I'll definitely try one of these fabulous recipes~ Have a great weekend!

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  35. Now HERE'S a sequel I can get into :) Beautiful pie and cake! Buzzed

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  36. Both recipe look delicious!! I will love to try the pie, it looks so scrumptious :)

    Have a great weekend.

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  37. The apricot cake looks totally divine....and the little apricots look so pretty!

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  38. @Baby Sumo
    I think it is off season now, you might want to wait for the next season.

    @Charmaine
    It is apricot season in Oz? I am sure your pie and cake will be much better than what I have made because the apricot is fresher than sweeter than those we get here.

    @eugene
    You are a wise man and your family is blessed to have you.

    @Mel
    I don't see much of them lately. You might have to wait the next season. I am sorry I should have posted this recipe last month.

    @Elies_Lie
    Thanks for the compliements. I have high respect for people who place their love ones above money.

    @Becki Jacobs
    Thanks for dropping by and hope to see you around.

    @Amelia
    You are always so sweet to leave encouraging words. Please know I appreciate it much.

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  39. @Wendy
    Yes lah, I made it a few days after my pie but forgot to post it. I should have posted this earlier during the apricot season. I am sorry the apricot you bought were tasteless. I bought mine in the wet market.

    @Viv
    Yes, for people where family is their priority, they will not sacrifice family time with money and I think that is wise.

    @Cloudia
    Thanks for your words as always.

    @Elin
    Yes I will never get tired of fruit pies.

    @Dzoli
    hehe.. AWW! Thanks

    @yvonne
    Sorry to confuse you. Yes, we have to wait for the season. Cannot ones won't cut it.

    @Zoe
    KIV the recipes:D

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  40. @mNhL
    No, canned apricot will not be nice.

    @Shirley
    Thanks for the recommendation.

    @Sheoh Yan
    Very well said!

    @ping
    My dear friend, there is no peach lah. Apricot lah.

    @Kiddothings
    Thanks. No so lucky when you grow side ways hehe

    @ladyviral
    Yes, the peanut butter creamy pie.

    @Lina
    You have the the right attitudeD

    @That Girl
    Thank you.

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  41. @Shirley
    This is also my first time working with fresh apricot.

    @Angeline
    I would love to send you the whole pie.

    @Wi
    If you start cooking and baking now, by the time you meet your Mr. Right and start a family, you will cook and bake very well.

    @Gloria, @Filip, @JamieAnne, @The Blonde Duck, @Little Corner of Mine
    Thanks.

    @suituapui
    I love the food in Sibu more than the pie and the cake.

    @Daphne
    A slice is not enough I wish I can send you the whole cake.

    @Eftychia
    Is your diet short term or long term? If short term, then you can KIV this recipes.

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  42. @Pegasuslegend
    Oh yes, it is divine.

    @Joanne
    Great, I am glad you like the recipes.

    @Spicie Foodie
    You are most welcome.

    @Lizzy
    Try both! You too have a great week.

    @Parsley Sage
    Thanks much.

    @Mari
    Oh, you must try the cake too. The cake is divine. I could not photograph it well enough to let the deliciousness shine through.

    @To Food With Love
    Oh yes, they are real beauties!

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  43. yes, i remember that apricot cake you made previously and i just love seeing this again..your pictures are always so tempting!!

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  44. Oh, sorry... I meant apricot. You may call me Lucy now :D

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  45. @lena
    Thanks my dear. the feelings about the pictures are mutual.

    @ping
    No sorry need my dear. I am so glad you made that mistake so now I can tell my Quay Lo, I am not the only Lucy around! LOL! HUGS to you Lucy!

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  46. hello hello my dear,

    i'm back to spam you...teehee. jk. just back visiting my favorite blogs again. i love that first picture of your apricot pie - just gorgeous! i've had apricot pie before, but never cake. yours sounds wonderful and looks moist and delicious. i agree with you about having less and being able to spend more time with friends and family b/c that's where true happiness is found.

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