Tuesday 18 March 2014

2nd Blogoversary and My Maiden Attempt in Chocolate Cake

Unbelievable!!! Today, 18 March 2014, without realizing it, Simply Beautiful and Healthy Living is in her 2nd year. Well, time passed by without my knowledge and honestly speaking, when I first started blogging, I had neither goals nor expectations. I was merely blogging for fun and for my eyes only (syiok sendiri, hehehe). I had no idea or knowledge that as a blogger, I need to do some blogwalking and knock at other bloggers’ doors! I just blog whatever that comes into my mind and expect other bloggers to read what I wrote!! So naive!!! As time goes by, I realised that in order to attract comments to my posts, I need to put comments on other blogs. Since then, I get to know some bloggers who are so kind enough to pay me a visit and left their fingerprints and some even their footprints! Most importantly, I have made some great friends along the way. Initially, I only blogged on healthy living and later I had the courage to blog on food. Gradually, I found myself loving blogosphere more and more.
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I am proud to say that I take pride in surviving into my 2nd year of blogging. Over time and along the way, I am lucky to meet and get to know some very good blogger friends who have constantly give me sweet compliments and encouraging words. Without these regular followers and readers, I won’t be here today. A very BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have taken your time to drop by and commented on my postings. You all are my biggest inspiration for better improvement!
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Blogging does take up a lot of my time. Besides being a working mum and wife, I still managed to steal some time for blogging. At times, no doubt I feel very tired, however, I am still motivated to blog when seeing my fellow blogger friends tirelessly giving me encouragement and motivation to move on. I am also glad to say that on my blog’s  1st blogoversary, there were 29,982 page viewers. However, today, exactly 2 years, the page viewers of Simply Beautiful and Healthy Living has soared to 171,030! Without your support, I won’t be this far!

Once again, my BIG THANK YOU and gratitude to each and everyone here who takes a little time out of your busy schedule to read and put comments on my posts. It really means the world to me. At the same time, I always love reading all your comments too. Thank you everyone for your generous and tireless support! 
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Another good news is that, today I'm also glad that I get to share with all of you my very first cake which turned out to be quite successful and delectable too; recipe courtesy of MamaFaMi. How is my STEAMED CHOCOLATE CAKE??? Passed??? hahahha…
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I am even more thrilled about this post as the photo shooting turned out to be not too bad lah, hehehe. My photography skill has improved too over the years, hahahaha… (*So vain!) Most importantly, hubby and my two girls gave me their two thumbs up.
This is my first maiden cake post and frankly speaking, I am instantly encouraged by the end result of this awesome and delectable maiden chocolate cake! Ahem…. feeling happy and proud of it…. aiyoh, so egoistic, hehehe…..
*Remember to be patient when waiting for the cake to set.  Don't be like Ivy, a bit impatient to cut the cake when it was not completely set yet. Notice the runny chocolate at the bottom of the cake? Hehehe... so, please be patient...:)*

This cake is indeed very simple and easy to make and for those who have countless cakes ended up in the garbage bins (*wink* who else, but yours truly!), this cake will be in no time ended up in your tummy and it’s a sure fail-proof! MamaFaMi, thanks for your recipe!
Ingredients :
(A)
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup corn oil
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
(B)
- 3 eggs
(C)
- 1 cup self raising flour

Method :
1) Mix ingredients (A) and cook in double boiler until sugar melt.
2) Let it cool completely.
3) Beat 3 eggs (B) until light and fluffy and add in to the cocoa mixture.
4) Fold in 1 cup self raising flour (C) and mix well.
5) Grease cake tin, pour in the batter and cover with aluminium foil.
6) Steam for 45 minutes.
7) Cool the cake completely at room temperature.

Topping :
- 1 cup chopped chocolate
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup condensed milk

Method :
1) Mix all together and cook in double boiler.
2) Pour on top of the chocolate cake.
3) Chill the cake in the refrigerator until the topping is set.


I topped it with pieces of chocolate and some mixed dried fruits

The cake is so moist and tempting
If Ivy Sew can do it, so CAN YOU!!!
Have a wonderful week ahead and cheers :)

43 comments:

  1. Congrats Ivy for the mark on 2nd anniversary. I can relate to some on what you've shared in the intro. Yep, to receive comments, its sort of expected you comment in return. Still, along the way I've dropped some because you realize that they don't come to your space anymore. I still keep the sincere bloggers to my heart which includes you.

    The cake is simply and the recipe is perfect for someone like me; time constraints, want to bake something in an easy manner and love the fabulous taste.

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  2. Ivy, I was very entertained and had a good laugh reading your post. Congratulations on your 2nd blog anniversary and also most of all for your maiden and very successful chocolate cake! Your cake looks very moist and very yummy. The type of cake that is best eaten with a spoon (just korek tak payah potong!) and perhaps a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Aiyoyo, I am already tempting myself and forgetting my diet. So Ivy, we can expect some more delicious cake from you huh? Hi 5 piak! piak!

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    1. Piak Piak, Hi5, Phong Hong! hahaha... imagine my excitement when the cake was taken out of the steamer! A lot of questions were playing in my head... the outcome of the cake! My children love the cake very much. Thanks Phong Hong for your encouragement . It's nice knowing you and cheers :)

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  3. Congrats on your blogoversary :) I certainly am happy to have discovered your blog.

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    1. Thanks Yen! I am glad that I get to know your beautiful and very informative blog too. You have a great week ahead and regards :)

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  4. Hi my dearest, yuhhhuu...HI 5! First of all congratulation on your blog anniversary. Keep up the good job, hope to see your next project asap @ cupcake and bread. :)) Don't forget... I nag like an 80 years old granny. hahaha......Or else this maiden cake you'll hold till next Christmas.

    I'm so glad to meet you, my dear friend. Glad that you busybody peep into my google + and leave your fingerprints and footprints. Hope you don't mind my constant nagging and lor sor, this is one way to motivate you to start baking or else you'll never start. :))

    Congratulation on your successful Steamed chocolate cake. Told you it's fail proof and easy as ABC. Well done, the cake texture very good, soft and moist. The topping look so irresistible and finger licking good. Nice pic too. Keep it up, or else I spam your FB inbox until you beh tahan, 38! hahaha

    Have a lovely day, with lots of love to you. Thanks for the kind mentioned.

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  5. Congratulations Ivy! Beautiful cake! Yes, I am still reading all your postings and enjoying it:D

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    1. Thanks Lian. Glad that you enjoy my postings and will try my best for more improvement on my part. Warmest regards :)

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  6. Hi Ivy,
    Congratulations on your Blogoversary! Yes, blogging can be very addictive! It is great to know your blog and a pleasure to be able to leave our "fingerprints"!
    Your chocolate cake looks so good, really so moist and delicious! Are you sure this is the first time you baked a cake? Hard to believe! Haha! Now that your family have given all thumbs up, I'm sure that they will be looking forward to your next bake! And baking is addictive, once you start, you will get that itch once in a while (if not often!) to bake something!
    Cheers! Yam...Seng...here's to another year of wonderful blogging!

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  7. Happy B'rday to ur cute bloggie....who not only entertain us with the lovely recipes.....but also with the melodies......This cake is so beautiful and love to take a portion virtually................... :)

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  8. Hi Ivy,
    Congrats on your 2nd Blogoversary ... since I can't reach in and grab a hunk of that delicious , I will have to bake one . It's a pleasure knowing you . Your post was quite lover and I like youe new blog design . Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks Nee for your ever sweet compliments. It's my pleasure knowing you too and am glad you like my posts and new blog design. You have a wonderful day and hugs :)

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  9. Happy Blogoversary! Your blog is getting more beautiful by the day :) That's a very delicious looking celebration cake you have there and definitely a good one for a maiden attempt!

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  10. Congratz:),Cake looks so perfect and yummy,very well presented

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  11. Happy anniversary Ivy! Your chocolate cake looks amazing!

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  12. Hi Nava, thanks for being my friend and I do really treasure this friendship of ours. Yes,surprising the cake turned out to be very delicious even though it's my first attempt. Nava, great to know you and best regards :)

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  13. Wow, wow, my dear Amelia... start nagging again?????? Beware of wrinkles, hahhaha... dear, thanks so much for your great encouragement and motivation. Without your nagging, I won't be able to make this steamed cake. Really appreciate your 38 granny nagging!

    Yeah, I am glad that I busybody sneaked into your Google+ and out of curiosity wanted to know what desserts this Amelia Dessert can offer. And you also, kbc, visited my very humble blog and from there, we just hit it off! hahhaha.... Yuen fang.....
    Once again, my gratitude and appreciation for all the nagging and lor sors. I LOVE IT!!!

    Lots of love, hugs and muaks..... <3

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  14. Hi Joyce, thanks for your sweet compliments. Yes, I am instantly encouraged to try new cakes after seeing hubby and children grinning while eating the cake, hahaha. I am glad too that thru' blogging I get to know you. Yam Seng and cheers to us! Regards :)

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  15. Thanks YC. You have a great week ahead and cheers :)

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  16. Hi Remya, thanks for your lovely compliments. I am glad that you enjoy my postings as well as my selection of music. It's my pleasure, Remya. Would love to bake it for you one day. Warmest regards and hugs :)

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  17. Hi LTB, thanks for your wonderful compliments. You have a great week ahead and cheers :)

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  18. Thanks for your sweet compliments, Harini. Warmest regards and cheers :)

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  19. Thanks Mich. Warmest regards and cheers :)

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  20. Hello Ivy...

    First and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR BLOG.

    Secondly...*while clapping my hands hard and giving you a standing ovation* CONGRATULATIONS for baking a lovely colorful cake! Haha... boleh tahan juga Amelia "torture" you eh... I must try to avoid her from challenging me to anything. Can 'makan dalam' nanti! Hahaha..... Anyway, here's hoping that there will be many more cakes to pop up in this lovely blog of yours.

    Take care...

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  21. Hi MamaFaMi, thanks so much for your lovely compliments. Your recipe is very easy to follow and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing. Yes, since making this cake, I am encouraged to try baking new cakes! Once again TERIMA KASIH and best regards from me :)

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  22. Happy Blogoversary Ivy!!! I can still remember when I first "met" you and how you were a bit shy about visiting others. Well, well, just look at you now! You're a Pro, lol...Wishing you many, many more years of fantabulous blogging and delicious first attempts:)

    Your Chocolate Cake looks absolutely tempting. I wouldn't be able to wait either. I would want to dive right in! I'm so glad Amelia coaxed you into trying to bake it. You did GREAT!!! You have an amazing space here and I, for one, am so glad to have "met" you:) Thank you so much for sharing, Ivy...Congratulations!

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  23. Thanks for your kind wishes and sweet compliments, Louise! Hahaha... yes, was quite naive and ignorant during my 1st year of blogging. Well, over the years, I have learned a lot but still not a pro yet. Still learning from our fellow pro bloggers including you, Louise! Indeed, Amelia is the one who always push me from behind to try my hands in baking. I am glad that I 'surrendered' to her and the outcome of this maiden cake is fabulous and I am thrilled that this chocolate cake is actually from ME! I am glad I get to know you, Louise. You are always so generous in your compliments and always nice have you dropping by. Hugs and muaks :)

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  24. Ivy dear, Happy Blogoversary on your beautiful blog! Your steamed chocolate cake turned out so moist, and droolworthy super delicious!
    It is also pretty with your yummy toppings. Love the recipe, thanks for sharing! Big hugs, and congratulations!

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    1. Hi Elisabeth dear, thanks for your kind wishes and sweet compliments. You have a wonderful day and do take care. Hugs and muaks from me to you :)

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  25. Happy Blogovesary Ivy . Really glad to came across your blog thru blogging . Your cake looks so decadent & heavenly . Unbelievable that this is your 1st time baking this delicious cake ! AWESOME :)

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  26. Hello Ivy, dropping by your blog and seeing this simply exotic chocolate cake is like being tortured! If I am your neighbour and getting the scent of this cake....its ungentlemanly to ask what you baking, I'll go buy durians and present to you in the hope maybe you reciprocate passing over a plate over the fence what you baking, ha ha ha.
    Used to do this when a bachelor and often receiving cakes or food that I had no need go out to eat.

    Your this chocolate is food for the Gods! And I must add, I love the colour as well your well taken photographs have enhanced it to something really exotic. I would maybe add that 'r' alphabet instead of the 'e' ha ha ha. Can see its slightly moist too.
    Holy Smoke! If invited to your house for tea, you bring out this cake. habis la my mother's name rosak! Ha ha ha. Why? Because I sure ask, "Ivy, may I have another piece"? After already polishing off 2 pieces.
    Especially you have used that special ingredient not sold in shops....called 'love'.

    And cooking or baking is like love: It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. Likewise, your this cake is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.
    And It's absolutely unfair for women to say that guys only want one thing: sex. We also want cakes...like yours!. And then again, there is no love sincerer than the love of food or cakes.....like yours.
    Ivy, I am impressed, outstanding!

    I'm glad you were not around when I was on safari. However, if under different circumstances, my florist would have retired early, red scented roses always out of stock, as well your hubby would be experiencing very stiff competition too, ha ha ha.
    A woman who can cook and bake, add beauty, elegance and classiness, it's how men lose their bachelor's degree.
    And thats meaning beautiful ladies......like one I now know, a lady with the beautiful name of 'Ivy'.
    You keep a song in your heart and have a great weekend.
    Lee.
    ps, my compliments to hubby....he sure has great taste in women. Me too, only my mom gave birth to me earlier.

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  27. Thanks Kit! I am glad that I came across your blog too. Hahaha.... frankly speaking, I am happy at my first attempt of this unbelievable successful cake. You have a wonderful day and warmest regards :)

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  28. Oh no Shane, you think too highly of me! Anyway, a BIG THANK YOU to you for all these walk on water compliments. As usual, you are never short of sweet compliments! Already in cloud nine, hahaha...
    If ever you are my neighbor or somewhere nearby, no need for you to open your mouth. I would be very glad to invite you over for tea or I would personally deliver it to you! I have shared this cake with my neighbor and sister on the day itself! If you were here, I would definitely reserve a bigger portion for you! Why? Cos' I know you would buy more durians for me in return, hahaha... I am a durian Queen!
    You are right, hubby and children were impressed with this cake. They love it very much. The following day, hubby bought a new camera for me! hahaha... These few days, playing around with my new toy, Will hop over to your pondok to tell you more about my new toy.
    Hubby burst out laughing when I read out what you have commented. He asked me to tell you if you were born earlier, then, both of you would have a fair fight. Whoever wins, at the end, both of you are still good friends!
    You have a fabulous Sunday and warmest regards :)

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  29. Happy Blogiversary! I agree that it is wonderful the people you "meet" blogging! And congratulations on your cake--very fancy and impressive for a first chocolate cake!

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  30. Thanks Inger. I am glad that I meet you thru' blogging. You have a wonderful day and cheers :)

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  31. Se ve muy sabroso y y lindo sucake me gusta su adorno colorido me encanta ,abrazos:)

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  32. Thanks Rosita. You have a nice day and regards :)

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  33. looks perfect...And huge huge congrats:)

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  34. HAPPY B-ANNIVERSARY, Ivy!!
    I always enjoy visiting your blog with great information about healthy living, well being and delicious recipes.
    Your chocolate cake turned out amazing, an other congratulation for that :)

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  35. Happy blog anniversary Ivy...and what a better way to celebrate...chocolate cake! The cake looks delicious, moist and rich...like the condensed milk in it and on it.
    Hope you are enjoying your week my dear :D

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  36. Congrats on your blog anniversary, Ivy! I do agree with you that thru blogging you'll get to know many blogger friends and get to learn a lot too from sharing. Great cake... very appealing and i like the topping!

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