No-Bake Cookies and Cream Cake

With Valentine's Day nearing, it's quite a given that pastry stores, even chocolatiers will take advantage of the needs of their customers. Aww-worthy gifts for their loved ones, that is! But what if you actually have not allotted a budget for it? Well, you might probably decide unleashing your inner Martha Stewart, right? But then, what if you got no tools to back you up? You only got a few spoons and bowls and a brand new refrigerator (from last Christmas or perhaps, a wedding present from one of your wedding godparents, lol). 

Fret no more, royalties! MoneyMax.ph sent me this awesome infographic on how to make a No-Bake Cookies and Cream Cake under Php200. 

Hi-Ro Truffles

This post was originally entitled Pseudo Oreo Truffles. I realized, though that it can attract negative vibes so I changed it to what it really is. After all, Hi-Ro is not pretending to be something like Oreo. Well, I used pseudo because: 1) We didn't use Oreo, which is what most usually use in truffles; 2) no cream cheese and lastly; 3) no chocolate coating. My girl didn't complain, though. She was too happy to see the heart-shaped sprinkles that we used to even bother why it really didn't taste anything like her favorite cookie (second to what I bake, I assume). 

Oh, how I love its imperfection.

Speaking of the crushed cookies, I bought it at Chocolate Lovers in Cubao, Quezon City. For those who haven't been there, it's the chocolate-colored castle in the middle of P. Tuazon Avenue. Google Maps can help. It's heaven for baking aspirants and enthusiasts! They have there different kinds of chocolate chips, cupcake toppings, baking pans, moulds and boxes. Next time, I'll feature it here. 

Let's proceed. Where were we? Oh, the recipe.

Choco Lava

When I first bought my oven, an Imarflex 3-in-1 electric oven-turbo broiler-rotisserie kind, I was on baking high. I baked the basics: chocolate chip cookies, chocolate crinkles and banana bread. Those were the easiest to bake. When I have mustered enough courage to face my measuring cups and whisk,  I tried baking classic chocolate cake and cupcakes for my husband's birthday small party here at home. It was okay and edible but not fab. I thought I'm not gonna be good in baking anymore. I just resorted to making pizzas and baked pasta dishes so that my oven will serve its purpose. One day, while browsing Facebook, I saw Junior Master Chef Louise's post: a photo of a drool-worthy choco lava! I scanned the ingredients and got excited that I have most of it in my kitchen. I don't have Nutella and white sugar though but I have Nesquik chocolate syrup and powdered sugar! I baked again and let the whole house steamed like a dry sauna room and that even if I'm beginning to miss the cool air of January because of the summer heat, I didn't care. My hormones were telling me to patiently wait for this fattening friend. OK, enough of the ramblings. Ready for the recipe?

Mango Float

This dessert is as easy breezy and really yummy as the other dishes I have posted here. What you just actually need is a little patience and neatness. I think it took me a number of mango floats to reach this look. Most of the time, during my previous tries, it was sloppy. But practice makes perfect! And ever since my husband has been assigned in Zambales, where mangoes are ultra sweet during harvest time, Mango Float has been like an adobo of desserts. I can whip this up like it's so mundane. *forgive me as I fan myself with so much kayabangan* 

Ingredients:

- 1 pack 200g graham crackers

- 1 154ml condensed milk

- 1 250 ml all purpose cream

- 2 medium-sized ripe yellow mangoes 

Pastillas De Leche for Lazy Mudrabelles

I am so looking forward to live the barriotic way for a few days and my kumare already seduced me with all things probinsiya. Ooh, lesser pollution! Of course, the air must smell like carabao's poop, or goat's or dog's. Basta at least hindi amoy tambucho. And yes, I even told my kumare, who by the way was my Bourne Legacy date before, that she should prepare like a welcome basket for turista with all the food that they have in their purok. Bet ko itong ganitong event, I feel so Manila girl. Duh. Rizal kaya ako nakatira. Feelingera. Haha! Anyways, I was craving for suman with latik and she said they always have it there. I also drooled for pastillas de leche and so asked Ate Maritess (the new help) to look for it, yung mamiso. But she didn't find one. I scoured the net for the easiest way to do it, and some food entusiasts are making it so complicated for me. Until MIL (buti na lang she's being helpful lately) suggested that I try the rhas pakielamera spirit, it's ecipe of one of the people in her office that was given to her. Ay naku, it was so dali! I didn't follow the exact measurements though and again, trusted my instincts. If you want to try, tanchahan system works! Here's what you would need: