A Dessert Table for Bridal Trunk Show and A CSN Giveaway


It's been raining, more rain, and more rain here in San Jose, temperature dropped more than 20 degrees since my last post. It's sad that I can't enjoy the peak of cherry blossom season in warm sun and stroll around the park full of them. The weather site also predicted a chance of snow in the bay area! How cool is that!

I've also been working on 12-16hr/day of work schedule every single day for the last two months or so. It is not fun at all indeed, and I haven't had sleep deprivation in so long until these past few months. I was seriously thinking of just bringing comfy sleeping bag to keep in my cube. So, forgive me for lack of updates. What makes things worse is that my mom is here for the last 3 months and I feel so bad for not spending enough time with her. She's going back to Indonesia this Saturday, and I'm determined to take one day off tomorrow from work, hopefully everything goes well and I can do that with no problem. I let myself think that this timing for crazy work schedule is "perfect" for this bad weather, because if it's all sunny and nice outside, I would be really bummed having to spend the whole day inside the office. Sad, I know, but anything to make me feel better is certainly appreciated nowadays :)


With that, I haven't been able to bake for experiment at all, although I did manage making some desserts for a few dessert table and this is one of them. This dessert table, which fell on my birthday, was for a bridal-opening party for around 100 people, about 350 desserts total. In all craziness that's been happening, I was actually very happy that everything finished on time, even when that means only 3 hour of sleep that night. Special thanks to Randi from le Amour Events who organized this and BoLee Bridal Couture who hosted the event. It is surely an honor to be able to take part.

Sure there are a lot I wish I can do differently if I had more time but I couldn't be happier when I received the positive feedback, making all the sweat and the lack of sleep worth it. Many thanks to my mom and my brother who helped me out in the dawn of the night to make this happen. Wouldn't be able to do it without them.




Dessert Table Menu:
  • Fromage Fraise Verrine
    vanilla sponge soaked in red berry coulis - red berry gelee (raspberry & strawberry), cheese mousse
  • Red Velvet Cakepops
    with cream cheese frosting, dipped in white candy melts
  • Silk Pudding with Passion Fruit Coulis
  • White Chocolate Mango Cheesecake
    with jellied cream on top and almond crust
  • Raspberry and Rose Marshmallow


This was also the first time I made homemade marshmallow. I chose raspberry and rose flavor because it suits the color theme (pink) and anything with rose is gotta be romantic. I love the texture of homemade marshmallow a lot better than store-bought, although I have to say that it was still too sweet for me, but now that I know, it should be perfect next time :). I'm already thinking passion fruit marshmallow, strawberry & orange water marshmallow, endless possibilities!



I didn't have the chance to take any pics, all pictures for the dessert table are courtesy of Daniel Lee.


I baked the leftover cheesecake batter into individual cake ring mold and topped it with mango gelee and decorated with raspberry coulis. And as you probably have guessed, I went to take 3-hr nap immediately after the desserts were picked up :), a very-much needed nap indeed before birthday dinner :).

Now, onto the giveaway post. I have had the privilege to host CSN giveaway for three times and this is gonna be the forth time for $40 CSN Gift Certificate. I can't stress enough how generous they are providing all this wonderful giveaways and with hundreds of sites, they definitely have E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G you would ever need. I especially love this adjustable bar stools to put around the kitchen island or bar area. Oh I cannot wait to have my own place, I've always had this dream of having a real modern yet warm house with lots of windows for natural light to get in. This bar stool definitely going to make a great addition to my dream house :)

How to enter:
  • Must be US or Canada resident
  • Leave a comment on this post between now until Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 12am (PST)
  • Winner will be drawn randomly through random.org
  • No anonymous comment please. Please also enter in your email address if you disable your profile view.
  • One comment per person, multiple comments are welcome but only count as one entry
Have a blessed weekend!

White Chocolate and Mango Cheesecake

Crust:
95 g almond powder
55 g graham cracker crumbs
30 g sugar
3 Tbs. butter

Cheesecake Batter:

3 (8-oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
100 g sugar
1/2 vanilla bean seeds
3 eggs
5-oz white chocolate
150 g mango puree/pulp
  • Prepare the almond crust: Mix all ingredients together and press it onto the bottom of 8" round springform pan. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown. Let cool while you prepared the cheesecake batter
  • Prepare the cheesecake batter: With a paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese, vanilla bean seeds and sugar until smooth.
  • Add the egg, one at a time. Mix well
  • Melt the white chocolate and mix it into the batter
  • Lastly, add the mango puree/pulp and mix well
  • Pour onto the prepared crust
  • Bake in waterbath at 300F for about 50-60minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly when shake gently.
  • Let cool and refrigerate overnight.

78 comments:

Annette said...

I hope you get to spend time with your mom before she leaves! (and I hope I win this giveaway =P)

Swee San said...

I can never get straight cuts for the marshmallows, how did u cut them ?
the cake pops look lovely, well actually the spread of desserts too..

Unknown said...

Everything looks wonderful...so yummy and pretty!

I love CSN..they have just about everything...I covet their Doughmaker Pebbleware Cookie Sheets.

shel704 at aol dot com

Kiki said...

Whoa... it's very very pretty, Tha! I don't know how you do it. Great Job!

ContessaLaville said...

Wow what an awesome mouthwatering post. It's early morning here in the west coast and now you make me crave for sweets:-)

Katrina said...

amazing looking food...makes me hungry!

I would love to use it towards a trunki for my daughter.
ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Domestic Diva said...

Lovely! Thanks for the chance.

Your goodies make me want cake pops for breakfast.

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Suburban prep said...

I don't know how I missed your beautiful blog before but I just became a follower.
It is lovely.

pietra said...

Love the cheesecake! Actually, love it all!

Tracy said...

The cake pops look so bridal! Perfect!

lovelyistracy@yahoo.com
Texas

Abby said...

Everything looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

WOW....and all these beautiful things was made by you? what a talent you have, very inspiring to others like me. Thnak you Bertha.
my email: nonakuki@yahoo.com

Wita

Anonymous said...

The recipe looks amazing! Please count me in for the giveaway too!

spontaneous-euphoria said...

These look so so scrumptious! And this is such a unique recipe!

April said...

Those mini cheesecakes look divine!

aprileung@gmail.com

Colleen at Forty Something Bride said...

I am so hungry after looking at those awesome pics! Beautiful table!

CarinE said...

I wish I could taste all of your desserts...They look deliciously beautiful......

Anonymous said...

Everything looks so mouthwatering delicious! Would you mind sharing what program you use for printing out the food tags? I would love to make some for my upcoming house warming party! :)

Christine said...

Thanks for posting the recipe! I had my fingers crossed as I was reading your post that there would be a mango cheesecake recipe at the end. And there was! Your creations look beautiful and it sounds delicious. If I was in San Jose, I would definitely ask you to take me in as an apprentice...haha!

Danielle said...

Truly beautiful work. If only I were so talented...thanks for the opportunity with the CSN giftcard. Maybe I can find something from them that can help me :)

danielleslpr at gmail dot com

nlhing said...

bertha you are so talented!! you should quit your day job and do this full time!! :)

m photography ottawa said...

These are just lovely! The cake pops are beautiful!

Hillary said...

Thanks for a awesome giveaway!

hillaryanna at yahoo dot com

Sarah said...

Everything looks so yummy!

Wita said...

Oops, I posted as anonymous.
I always admire your works, well done Bertha.
nonakuki@yahoo.com

Wita

Unknown said...

I really need to try making that passion fruit pudding soon!

Danielle K said...

Everything looks delicious & beautiful! Thanks for the giveaway!

danielleaknapp at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

looks beautiful :)

Unknown said...

looks perfect :)

Torviewtoronto said...

first time here this looks fabulous

Ashley said...

All of the treats look so yummy!!

hewella1 at gmail dot com

vtang said...

pretty as usual =)

Phong said...

Drool-worthy!

Anonymous said...

The red velvet cake pops are gorgeous! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

tardyman said...

I don't like mango, but the cheesecakes makes me want to give it another try. P:

Chiaroo said...

Everything looks so good!

ms-texas said...

i'm hungry now! Everything looks so delicious!

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com

Dee said...

Thank you for the chance! I love their Emile Henry collection! :) p.s. your treats look so delicious!

deeg131 at gmail dot com

just a girl said...

Those look amazing! I can't wait to try them :)

Tim said...

Thanks for having a great giveaway.

tahearn at roadrunner dot com

grace said...

i've never seen so many tasty treats in one spot--well done!

sa) said...

You're just incredible!!just viewing you photos makes me feel fresh,thanks!:)

Hengky said...

Wow... what can I say... Wow...

d-La said...

The Fromage Fraise Verrine looks really yummy... and everything else, too! Well done!

nana <3 said...

i wish i could taste all the desserts!!!

Fennoy said...

my sweet tooth is grinding ..."want some pleasee"

Unknown said...

Did you finally get your camera?
The pictures look good.
Soon you will get your own place :)

I wanted cheesecake so much, we had to buy it from Costco, you should teach your sister in law how to make a cheesecake.

J O A N A said...

I am the sister in law and yes, we are craving for your delicous cheese cake. I am not really a fan of marshmellow, but I don't mind trying yours since it's not very sweet and it looks pretty!

Stephanie said...

Mmmmm I really want to try making homemade marshmallows!!
s.matos@yahoo.com

Cinsora said...

i hope you are taking some time off after all of those long work days.

cinsora@gmail.com

Debbie said...

I've never seen a tastier spread!
Thanks for the chance to win. I love CSN!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Looks like mango heaven! I can't WAIT to bake it!

Liz said...

Thanks for the giveaway! They all look divine, but that last one will haunt my food cravings for weeks!

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I *must* makes some of those raspberry marshmallows for my coffee...and the cake pops are darling!

Bertha said...

Sweesan: I didn't have any special technique to cut them other than dust them with powdered sugar generously, and cut using a knife. I wiped my knife clean after each cut

Unknown said...

Oh wow this one is gorgeous! Love the marshmallows.

Anonymous said...

hi, everything looks goods, i have a question about the mini cheesecake how you bake it , did you put fist the cheesecake mixture then the crust or how , its look very yamy. thank you

Bertha said...

Anonymous: Thank you. I baked it just like normal cheesecake, crust first, then pour the cheesecake mixture on top

I'm MammaViv ... said...

I'm planning a babyshower in a month. I love how you displayed the food Looks absolutely lovely. Can you tell me where you got the little glasses from (both the square and round ones)?

Bertha said...

I'm MammaViv: I got the little round glasses from Michael's art and craft store. It is supposed to be for candle but it works perfectly for desserts too.

As for the square ones, they're plastic and disposable. I got it here: www.bakedeco.com

Have fun making the dessert table!

I'm MammaViv ... said...

Thanks, Bertha. Love your blog. You've just gained yourself another follower. You are so talented.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Bertha for the Mango cheesecake recipe!..It's awesome!Instead of white chocolate, i used 1/4 cup sugar. I baked this for father's day. Thanks again!

Bertha said...

Anonymous: Glad you like it!

Aimee said...

The whole dessert table is beautiful right down to the labels! A CSN Giveaway sounds great too! :)

Aimee said...

Everything on your dessert table was beautiful and looked oh so tasty! I love the labels for each dessert too, so pretty.

Unknown said...

I saw the other day your dessert table, and I felt in love with the mango cheesecake!!
Now I have the batter in the oven, and I can't wait to see the result.
Well, it's going to be soooooo hard to wait until tomorrow, but it looks so perfect!!

In the crust I have used biscuits and coconut instead of almond, but I think it will be ok anyway ;)

Thanks for the recipe!!

Bertha said...

La enredadera: I hope it will meet your expectation. I would love to see pictures and hear about it. Coconut definitely goes together with mango!

Unknown said...

I made the white chocolate mango cheesecake for my husband's birthday and it was absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing! I now have you book marked for future reference. :)

Bertha said...

Lorie! Great! glad you guys like it!

Unknown said...

I made your mango cheesecake last night..THE BEST cheesecake I have ever produced!!! Thanks so much.

tchris said...

I stumbled across your website through Pinterest hoping you had posted the mango cheesecake recipe. Thank you thank you thank you for putting it up. I can't wait to try to make this!

Misbah said...

I love your beautiful mango cheese cake. Thankyou so muc for sharing this recipe . I made small mango cheese cakes last week for my daughters tea party. So devine taste.

Unknown said...

How long did u bake the mini individual cheesecake for?

Bertha said...

Meg Lee: I don't remember how long I baked it for. I usually just look at the texture of the cheesecake to determine whether it is done or not.

Alexandria M. said...

Hi Bertha, Thanks for such an awesome looking recipe! For the mini mango cheesecakes, would you mind sharing whether or not you lined the cake rings with a nonstick of some sort before adding the cream cheese batter? Also, did you do an aluminum or parchment paper wrap around the ring as well? Thanks!

Bertha said...

Alexandria: I didn;t put anything inside the cake ring. I froze it, and warmed the outside using torch to remove it from the cake ring.
But if you have an acetate sheet, it will be easier to remove since you can just peel it.

When baking cheesecake, yes i wrap the mold with aluminum foil

Hope this helps

Alexandria M. said...

Thank you!! So helpful! Your mini cakes are pure perfection! Can acetate sheets can be used in the oven?

Bertha said...

Alexandria: I forgot that this is a baked cheesecake, so you cannot use acetate sheet to line the rings. It will melt in the oven.
Acetate sheet will be useful in non-bake cheesecake or mousse cakes