happy birthday to me! :)

for my birthday this year i chose to make a rainbow layered cake instead of an entremet. i think the pastel version looks way better compared to one done in primary colors. i used junko's roll cake recipe since i really liked it then used a meringue frosting for the cake. i adorned it with a gumpaste flower from the baking supply shop. never used to like their flowers but this one caught my eye (though i have no idea what this is). it looks like a cross between my favorite peony and ranunculus. definitely looking to make other ombré/pastel versions of this someday!

wow ok, it must be eons ago (10 months, to be exact!) since i last made an entremet. i was afraid if i don't make one soon, i'll *really* forget how to do it. i was in a mood for something pink and pretty so i decided on a berry entremet. while no stranger to berry entremets (i've made countless - hidemi sugino's paradis, fruits rouges, sous bois etc), i've not made a sliced one like this so i was really looking forward to it.

i've been seeing (and buying) lots of korean-authored cookbooks lately. at first glance they could easily be mistaken for japanese ones because the recipes and style of pictures look pretty similar but i actually think they're more interesting since the korean ones incorporate more unusual ingredients, plus lots of fruit and vegetables into their bakes. think fresh grape tart, tomato yogurt mousse verrines and purple sweet potato jam. their photography also look way better! so its japanese for entremet books and korean for the more homey bakes. this cookie caught my eye because it looks really cute. i've seen iced cookies in this manner but not one where bits of torn cocoa dough are scattered randomly on top of plain dough and then rolled out to create this gorgeous pattern.