Showing posts with label Chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chocolate. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Yuzu Chocolate Cat Marshmallow Cones

 I love creating marshmallow treats with different levels of textures and flavours so I made these marshmallow cones!




Composition:
- Chocolate coated wafer cone with rainbow sprinkles
- Chocolate marshmallow with KitKat bite surprise
- Yuzu honey marshmallow cats 

I am teaching this as a studio and online class. Please refer to the respective links for more information or to register.

Studio class:

Online class:
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Friday, 6 March 2026

"Happy Guinea Pig Village" Macarons

 I have a set of really cute guinea pig magnets that I have been wanting to create a bake with for some time. I finally had the bandwidth to play around with it and this was what I made!



Guinea pig macarons filled with smooth Biscoff spread and Nutella dark chocolate, along with a couple of 3D coffee macaron basket weave tunnels!

This project took place during a particularly rainy and humid spell so it was a little challenging to manage although making sure that the meringue was really stiff enough helped the batter to stay stable for a longer time.

I share the process of making the 3D tunnels along with some tips over here:


Some photos of the process of making the 3D basket weave tunnel...

Freshly piped before transferring to the homemade foil arch

Transferred piped batter onto foil arch 

Baked coffee macaron tunnels!

I shared the process of making the guinea pig macarons along with some technical tips of working in humid conditions over here:



Some photos of the process of making the guinea pig macarons...

Freshly baked macaron shells along with the original magnet references

Check out the awesome feet on the shells!

I added in the details with gel food coloring and edible black marker.

It's the first time I am testing out using gel food colouring instead of cake paint after a long time because it didn't work for me in the long past but since it works for some macaron bakers, I thought of giving it a shot again. It takes a much longer time to dry than cake paint but it still works.

Filling with Biscoff spread and Nutella dark chocolate

I used my default Swiss meringue method recipe for both guinea pigs and tunnels but for the tunnel, I used the variation of the recipe where all the egg whites are used for making the Swiss meringue and folded until dry ingredients are just combined with the meringue.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Sunday, 25 January 2026

Assorted Piped Butter Cookies

 Whether it's the upcoming Lunar New Year, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas or any day, an assortment of butter cookies is always a welcome 😊. I adapted the recipe from Buttermilk Pantry to make a more delicate cookie by increasing the butter to flour ratio.


Orange/vanilla:
65g Golden Churn butter
15g French butter of choice
26g icing sugar
4g milk powder (or replace with icing sugar)
Scant 1/8 tsp fine salt
30g cornstarch
65g cake flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract/bean paste (optional for orange)
3-4g orange zest (omit for plain/vanilla)

Chocolate:
65g Golden Churn butter (already salted)
15g French butter of choice (may replace with Golden Churn)
35g icing sugar
12g Dutch processed cocoa powder (I used Valrhona)
20g cornstarch
63g cake flour
1/8 tsp fine salt

Matcha:
65g Golden Churn butter 
15g French butter of choice
35g icing sugar
6g Matcha powder (use high grade)
24g corn starch 
65g cake flour 
Scant 1/8 tsp salt

Method:
1. Whisk softened butter, sugar & salt until lightened in colour but not too fluffy.

2. Sift in cornstarch & milk powder/ cocoa/matcha. Whisk until smooth

3. Add orange zest &/or vanilla if using. whisk until combined 

4. Sift in cake flour & fold in using a spatula until no trace of flour is seen 

5. Transfer into large piping bag fitted with open star tip of choice. I used 1M but you may use others like #827. Double up your piping bags if it's thin to prevent it from bursting. Clip the end & separate the dough into two portions within the bag as shown in reel for ease of handling

6. Pipe rosettes onto lined tray. Freeze for at least 1h or overnight if you wish.

7. Bake in preheated oven from frozen according to your preferred cookie texture*. Start at a lower temperature, bake for a longer time & end off high for crispier texture. Start high & end off low, baking for an overall shorter time for a more tender melt-in-your-mouth texture. Use a perforated mat help to contain the spread of the cookie in the oven during baking. Cool on tray for 5min before transferring onto cooling rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

* The aim of the baking profile I used is to get a delicate texture throughout the cookie with a light crunchy bite & slight toasty notes. This cookie won't be so delicate that it crumbles too easily when stacked & stored, but also not so hard that you have to bite hard before it crumbles. The long baking time I used is for a thoroughly crisp cookie that crumbles when you bite softly. Bake in preheated oven at 140C fan mode/ 155C (as read by an accurate oven thermometer) for 10-12 min, rotate tray & bake for another 10 min. Increase temperature by 20C & bake for 1 min. Rotate tray & bake for 1 min. 

Please see the reel below for more visuals:

with love,
Phay Shing
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Saturday, 6 September 2025

How To Create Two Different Fur Textures On Macarons

 There were some textured macaron techniques that I know of but didn't have the motivation to try as I didn't have the right subjects to test them on. When my friend requested for macarons of her two bear plushies, I took the chance to give it a go as they were the perfect subjects! 


A closer look at the feet from the sides.

I filled the macarons with a simple dairy-free dark chocolate ganache


Here are my real-life models!


Piped macaron batter with the two different fur textures: 1. Short velvety fur 2. woolly fur



The facial features and ribbons were added on after baking using royal icing.

You may refer to my reel below for the tutorial. Please read the captions for detailed explanation:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMU10xyJYJe/?igsh=MWs5aXdpOWJyOW4xaQ==


with love,

Phay Shing 

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Sunday, 24 August 2025

Sugar-Free Halloween Marshmallow Surprise

 I am really excited to share an amazing sugar-free marshmallow creation for classes because it's so tasty you wouldn't think it's sugar-free!


These cuties are Hojicha sugar-free marshmallows with sugar-free chocolate hazelnut cakepop surprise inside.


 Although I shared sugar-free marshmallow recipes in my Deco Marshmallows book, this version uses a different type of sugar replacement that is more commonly available (hint: it's not Erythritol!) and I added prebiotic soluble fibres too! Soluble fibres help to lower the GI of the confection even more as well as provide benefits for gut health and cholesterol management without adversely affecting taste. My book provides the recipes using fresh egg whites but this one uses meringue powder so it eliminates the risk of salmonella. 

Here's a video of the piping work behind the scenes and the squish:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM7j9Auz9J9/?igsh=c2sxYXdpcXhwbzZh


Just to share some other views of this creation:

Piped marshmallows before dusting

A closer look at the cut cross section revealing the chocolate hazelnut cake inside


Please refer to this link for the studio class:


Please refer to this link for the online class:


All studio class participants will have access to online class material for free! There's no expiry date for the online class.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Saturday, 19 July 2025

Sugar-Free Kirby Cherry Strawberry Marshmallow Coated Chocolate Hazelnut Cakepops

 I had to satisfy my curiosity to see if it works for my sugar-free version of marshmallow as well. So glad it works! Presenting Kirby as sugar-free marshmallow coated cakepops!

Two of the Kirbys in the picture are plastic figurines so don't be fooled 🤭

I used the same sugar-free recipe as my chick marshmallows over here, except that I used fresh chery puree that was reduced instead of passionfruit puree. I also added prebiotic soluble fibres in both cakepop and marshmallow in addition to using a sugar-replacement to further lower the GI of the confection. I added strawberry emulsion to the marshmallow batter to impart some colour in addition to the cherry puree as well as to increase the fruity taste. I adapted the sugar-free chocolate hazelnut cakepop from the one I used for my Christmas bear with present marshmallow class. You may sign up for the online class over here if you are interested! 

You may wonder if taste is compromised. I have various taste testers who love it and can't tell it's sugar-free! Main recipient was my hubby and he's glad to have a treat he can enjoy that's made in one of his favourite game characters!

I am not able to share this sugar-free recipe yet but I will have a studio and online class for a similar content in October so keep a lookout for it on my Instagram! For the time being, you may refer to my book Deco Marshmallows which has sugar-free recipes for both gelatin and agar based marshmallows where I use a different sugar replacement from the current one I am using.




You may refer to this reel for the video tutorial of making these adorable treats:



Here are some works-in-progress pictures!




A shot of the Kirbys before I sliced one.



with lots of love,

Phay Shing

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Sunday, 25 May 2025

Capybara Mint Chocolate Macarons (template included!)

 Chocolate macarons may be tricky to make. Let me share some important tips to show you how to make it work!

Featuring capybaras as the subject!

Check out the awesome feet!

Freshly baked shells!


You may use this template below to create the capybara macaron shells.


Recipe for mint chocolate macarons and video of the process can be found in the reel below:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJEQtCDptpb/?igsh=MWJvZG1taXpubXExcg==


When making chocolate macaron shells, choose the brand of cocoa powder that has the lowest fat content that you have access to. For me and many bakers, it's Hershey's with fat content at 10% compared to 20-25% for most other brands. If you would like your shells to have a deeper brown colour, choose the Dutch processed version. Make sure your almond flour is not too oily as well because it will cause the meringue to deflate prematurely.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Sunday, 18 May 2025

Sea Otter Mocha Macaron Class

Do you love sea otters? Come and join me for this macaron class if you do!


The macaron shells are flavoured/coloured with coffee and cocoa powder, and the fillings are coffee vanilla white chocolate ganache, dark chocolate ganache and toasted chopped pecans. Here's a closer look at the fillings!


I will focus on techniques of achieving success in macaron making in Singapore's tropical climate so be assured that the tips that I share in this studio class are practical and useful. The fillings are all dairy-free and firm enough to hold up in non aircon conditions in Singapore so it's practical for gifting without worry about the fillings melting into a puddle or spoiling quickly due to the heat. I use decaf coffee so it's suitable for kids and non coffee drinkers too.

Not only are the macarons visually pleasing outside. The insides are beautifully full too!


A peek at the macaron shells before I added in the faces.


Please click on the link below to register for this studio class.

https://shop.redmanshop.com/collections/classes/products/sea-otter-mocha-macaron-class-phytsv00002?_pos=2&_fid=d5b32cb66&_ss=c

You get to enjoy a 15% discount for the sea otter marshmallow class if you sign up for both macaron and marshmallow classes. The link for the marshmallow class can be found in Redman's website above. Feel free to contact Redman directly if you have more queries about registration.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Pistachio Chocolate Dinosaur Macarons

 I bought some pistachio flour end of last year which I didn't use so I decided to make some macarons with it. Although many bakers advise against using only pistachio meal for making the shells, they don't mention what happens if you do. To satisfy my curiosity, I made some macarons without using any almond flour at all. Presenting my 100% pistachio macarons as cute dinosaurs!


If this design looks familiar, it's because I re-used my old dino design from some years ago. 

I did a 1:1 replacement of almond flour with pistachio flour by weight to see what happens. Before that, I dried the pistachio meal to pick up excess oil which can ruin the bake. To my surprise, the paper towels didn't pick up as much oil as almond flour. Surprised because some bakers warned about the oil from pistachios ruining the bake. 

I went ahead to make the batter and immediately realised what's different. Besides the obvious visible dark specks from the flour, the batter turns runny quickly despite taking care in making sure the meringue is tight and stable and the batter is not overfolded. I went ahead to pipe and bake the macarons thinking it's a failed bake but they turned out beautiful!  See the awesome feet and full interior! 



In conclusion, unlike what the other bakers warned against, I would say go ahead and make macaron shells out of pistachio flour alone because the aroma and taste is amazing. Just give more room for the batter to spread after piping and intricate shapes are not a good idea due to the runnier batter. Do make sure proper technique in preparing the batter is used and you are good to go!

Here's the reel of the process of making the dinosaur macarons:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHqI39JynMq/?igsh=MXBhc2k4YzhzNml3cg==

I re-used leftover dark chocolate ganache and coffee ganache from a test bake at a new studio as fillings so you may use pistachio ganache or buttercream instead to make the pistachio flavour pop, and pair it with milk chocolate or raspberries if you wish!


with love,

Phay Shing 

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Thursday, 27 February 2025

Cute Piggy Dark Chocolate Macarons with Indented Features

I couldn't resist giving piggies different expressions, especially the sassy one 🤭


Simple pig macarons filled with dairy-free dark chocolate ganache and chocolate coated crispearls. What's unique about this creation is the use of the technique to create indented features on macaron shells. The nostrils and ear indents were created by waiting for a pliable membrane to form on the piped batter before using a Dresden tool to create the indents.

Pipe batter with indented features


Filling the macarons!

I used my default Swiss meringue method recipe for these piggies, and edible marker and lustre dust for the eyes and cheeks. 

Please see the reel for the process of making this, especially the indents:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGAkYM7JdQg/?igsh=M2Y2YzdndndtdHFx


with love,

Phay Shing 

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Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Sea Otter Valentine's Day Mugs with Latte Art (a marshmallow-macaron creation)

 Did you see Starbuck's Vday sea otter mug collection this year? They were so adorable I was inspired to create my own version of it out of macarons and marshmallows! 



A closer look at the coffee vanilla marshmallow sea otters! I used decaf coffee throughout so it's still kid-friendly.


A clearer view of the latte art made out of coffee white chocolate and vanilla white chocolate pudding, both of which are dairy-free.



Here's a cross section view where you can see that the insides of the mug is coated with white chocolate and there's dark chocolate ganache with toasted chopped pecans right at the base. I made the dark chocolate ganache dairy-free too.


Even the macaron mugs are flavoured as it's my baking principle to make my creations taste good as well. The macaron shells were flavoured with freeze-dried raspberry powder. I used macaron batter to glue the handle pieces to the main body of the mug so no royal icing is used.


A look at the marshmallows before dusting.


You may find my video tutorials for the macaron mug and marshmallows here:

3D macaron mug with latte art:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFuiuOcp8up/?igsh=dTJoNzd0dTZqdWF1

Sea otter marshmallow piping tutorial:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFzsZQLy6e-/?igsh=aW9nNjYwYXR5cTBr


Read the captions of the reels for more technical tips and the recipe for dairy-free coffee white chocolate pudding.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Thursday, 6 February 2025

Heart Macarons with Wet-On-Wet Designs

 I dressed up simple heart macarons with more little hearts for Valentine's Day!



Check out the awesome feet from the side view!


These macarons were filled with dairy-free dark chocolate ganache and dairy-free mixed berry (strawberry and raspberry) ganache. Both are temperature stable enough for gifting in tropical Singapore.

Find out how I created the patterns from this tutorial:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFchON3zyy-/?igsh=eDMwajlrd3hjejBt

Technical tips to take note of are in the captions of the reel.


with love,

Phay Shing

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Wednesday, 25 December 2024

"Peppy In Space" Coffee Chocolate Hazelnut Marshmallow Cakepop on Lavender Honey Lemon Cake

 My elder kid requested for Peppy this year as the subject of his birthday bake so I made these!


Composition:
- Peppy as coffee cinnamon vanilla marshmallow coated chocolate hazelnut cakes 
- Lavender lemon honey butter cakes frosted with lemon ganache that's partially naturally coloured with blue pea flower. The acidity from lemon juice turns the ganache a little purplish but I needed to add a teeny bit of gel colouring to enhance the vibrancy. Tried to go for a subtle space theme since Peppy is a space dog

So glad that the cakes tasted great according to my elder kid who is a Star Rail fan. I nearly died piping some of the main characters in marshmallow form last year so I decided to go for something with a lot less details but a lot yummier since there's cake inside and the marshmallow is flavoured 🤭. Peppy is Asta's adorable pet dog. 

I used the same recipe for making Christmas bear with present for making Peppy because I didn't have to add any extra artificial colouring for Peppy's fur colour. I have an online class for it if you are interested in the recipe and visuals for making it. Click here if you are.

 Here's a closer look at Peppy...



Look at the tempting cross-section!


Here's a look at the marshmallows before dusting.


The piping video tutorial can be found in this reel:


Here's a look at the cut cross section of the cake...


A closer look at the slightly messy cut slice 🤭

It's yummy though with a nice mix of lavender fragrance, sweetness and tanginess from the lemon

A view of assembling neat layers with the help of acetate sheet.



A view of the mini cakes before putting Peppy on top!



I made the lavender honey lemon butter cake earlier this year and my elder kid loved it so much he requested it for his birthday. You may refer to this post for the recipe. I replaced the cream with lemon juice/lavender tea coloured with blue pea flower for the ganache and reduced the overall liquid: white chocolate ratio to make it a suitable consistency for frosting cake.


Here's the video of assembling the layered cake!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEW_wKRShsb/?igsh=bjJ5dnprY3VibHB4


with lots of love,

Phay Shing

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