cupcakesordeath: The 3Ms - Merdeka, Minnie, Mooncakes!

First of all, allow me to briefly explain how the 3Ms relate to one another. It was the Merdeka (Independence Day) weekend, which coincides with my niece's birthday (the little rascal turns 2 and I got her a Minnie Mouse soft toy) and also the beginning of the Mid Autumn Festival. It's a fantastic opportunity to be spending time with my loved ones. (Not to mention a full day marathon of the oh-so-drama!, Hong Kong serial Moonlight Resonance). Hey, that's another M to the list!

Back to the 3rd M, it's imperative to have mooncakes for Mid Autumn Festival. So this year, instead of buying a box of mooncakes for my bf's parents, I decided to make them myself.

Since it's my first attempt, it'll be unwise to be over ambitious. So I decided to make the jelly type, which I think is less challenging compared to the baked and ping pei (snowskin) variety. I made 2 types of flavour, white coffee & peanut butter.

I got all of the ingredients from a hypermarket so it's really convenient. Here's what you'll need;

Outer Layer (this quantity is enough for 1 type of flavour only)

1/2 tbsp jelly (agar-agar) powder

1/2 tbsp instant jelly powder*

70g caster sugar

1/2 tbsp corn flour (mix 2 tbsp evaporated milk)

115ml low fat coconut milk (dilute with 285ml water)

*(you can get this from baking supply shops or like me, from a hypermarket. Look for Jim Willie brand but don't get confused because this brand produces konnyaku jelly powder as well. The packaging looks exactly the same so make sure you get the one that says 'agar-agar powder'. If you compare the ingredients printed at the back of the packaging, the konnyaku pack has solely konnyaku powder while the agar-agar powder has a mixture of konnyaku and agar-agar powder)

Jim Willie instant jelly powder and the mould that I used

Fillings (White Coffee Flavour)

1 sachet instant white coffee mix

250ml water

1/2 tbsp jelly powder

1 tbsp corn flour (mix with 1 tbsp water)

Fillings (Peanut Butter Flavour)

2 tbsp creamy peanut butter

85ml low fat coconut milk dilute with 115ml water

60g sugar

1/2 tbsp jelly powder

1/2 tbsp corn flour (mix with 1/2 tbsp water)

Method

Prepare fillings first.

1. Stir in coffee mix and jelly powder with water in a pot and let it simmer. (you can add in some sugar if you like it sweeter)

2. Add in corn flour mixture. Stir well.

3. Pour mixture into small moulds (chwee kueh moulds will normally do the trick. Since i have none, I used a mini cupcake pan)

4. Leave till set and remove from moulds when it's ready.

Cook the outer layer second.

1. Mix sugar, jelly powder & instant jelly powder and cook with coconut milk till dissolved. (For peanut butter flavour, add in a few drops of brown colouring).

2. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, stir in the corn flour mixture.

Finally, assemble.

1. Pour some outer layer mixture into mooncake moulds, a few tablespoonfuls will do.

2. Leave till half set, then put in the fillings.

3. Pour in the outer layer mixture to the brim.

4. Leave to cool and chill in the fridge for a good couple of hours.