The Ninja Baker - Tokyo

Fantasia Cakes, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 06:48:46 +0000

Tokyo hums with sophistication. Neon ads rivaling New York’s Times Square abound. But Tokyo is also a city where temples and tranquility live content next door to skyscrapers.

A move to LA from Tokyo as an 18-year-old in the late ‘70s took a toll on my nervous system. Culture shock greeted me at every turn. The public transportation system was unreliable. Navigating the octopus legs of the freeways, which lead to various sections of LA, was challenging. Racial tensions were apparent. (In my Tokyo high school for international students, I sat next to kids from all over the world without a second thought about skin color.) Last and not least, my fellow UCLA students who were immensely talented and experienced in the ways of the world intimidated me. I’d never even kissed a boy. (Except on stage playing Polly in The Boyfriend.)

So, when a re-release of Disney’s Fantasia opened at a film house in Westwood (home to UCLA), I dashed to the theatre. As youngsters on summer vacation, my sister and I would visit Disneyland with our Great-Uncle-George or our grandmother, Nona. Good memories are nestled in my heart.

My sister, Karen at Disneyland...a few summers ago.

The love and comfort of times with dear ones was rekindled as I watched Fantasia. Classical pieces conducted by Leopold Stokowski soared; cheerful Disney-drawn characters pranced in idyllic Elysium fields soothed. It was the perfect antidote to the overwhelm of being on my own in a new country. I related to the befuddled Mickey Mouse in the Magician’s home. But like Mickey who was helped by his mentor, I too have been blessed with beautiful teachers who have assisted me to acclimate to an ever-changing environment.

A treasured gift from my husband's cousins: An antique Fantasia movie poster.

When I learned the #SundaySupper on Twitter at 7 p.m. ET was celebrating movie inspired food, I wanted to pay homage to Disney’s Fantasia. Speaking of inspiring and creative art, Heather of Girlichef.com is hosting our 14 April #SundaySupper. Visit her site and you’ll see an impeccable writing style and heretofore-unimagined yummy food!

The Ninja Baker’s Homage to Fantasia: Magician Caps & Mickey Mouse

Step 1: Make lots of chocolate cake batter. Click here for a moist and light recipe from Taste of Home.

Step 2: Bake the batter in a 9” x 13” pan for 30 minutes. (If using the Taste of Home recipe, the oven temp is 375.) Or use these Wilton pans and Mickey Mouse silicone cases.

Step 3: For the Mickey Mouse silicone cups. Simply fill half full and bake at 350 for about 18 minutes. Cool and dip in a chocolate ganache or glaze.

Option:
With cookie cutters of two different sizes, cut out a face and 2 ears. Dip in glaze and assemble on a plate.

Step 4: For the magician caps, whether you are using a Wilton pan or cake baked in a
9” x 13” pan, the process is pretty similar. Cut out a triangle for the hat. Slice a straight brim for the bottom.

Step 5: Frost the caps with your favorite chocolate frosting; the recipe on the back of Ghirardelli Chocolate is good. (Have additional milk on hand. The icing does tend to stiffen quickly.) Garnish with a yellow fondant star.

Step 6: Slather lemon frosting or white frosting tinted yellow onto the magician cap brims.

Step 7: Place the magician caps and Mickey Mouse cakes on a plate.

Step 8: Share some magic with those you love!

Mickey Mouse and the Magician's Cap inspired by Disney's Fantasia

Below you’ll see a few more magical movie inspired recipes from a star-studded cast of food bloggers contributing to #SundaySupper.

Toast (bready things)

Scones (inspired by Tea with Mussolini) - Country Girl in the Village
Croque Monsieur (inspired by It's Complicated) - That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!
"Eat Me" Blueberry Lemon Scones (inspired by Alice in Wonderland) - The Messy Baker
Dog Bone Breadsticks (inspired by Frankenweenie) - The Urban Mrs.
Individual Deep Dish Pizzas (inspired by Mystic Pizza) - Momma's Meals
Basic Bread Recipe (inspired by Agora) - Masala Herb
Mystical Double Cheese Pizza (inspired by Mystic Pizza) - Webicurean
Vanilla Cinnamon Pancakes (inspired by No Reservations) - Pies and Plots

No Reservations (soups and salads)

10-Minute Potato Ham Soup with Pesto Swirl (inspired by Julie & Julia) - Shockingly Delicious
Alaska Smoked Salmon, Celery, and Apple Salad (inspired by Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) - Pescetarian Journal

Today's Special (fish, chicken, beef, and pork)

????? ??????? Fish Tajine (inspired by Casablanca) - Maroc Mama
Beef and Onions Braised in Beer (inspired by Julie & Julia) - Magnolia Days
Spicy Seared Tuna with Balsamic Reduction (inspired by Big Fish) - I Run For Wine
Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs (inspired by Brave) - Big Bear's Wife
Puerco Pibil (inspired by Once Upon a Time in Mexico) - From the Bookshelf

Forks Over Knives (veggie-heavy dishes and sides)

Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (inspired by The Joy Luck Club) - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Beet Chips (inspired by Food Matters) - girlichef
Ratatouille (inspired by Ratatouille) - Noshing With The Nolands
Mushroom and Asparagus Mini Quiches (inspired by Sixteen Candles) - Home Cooking Memories
Veg Samosas (inspired by Monsoon Wedding) - My Cute Bride
Not So Fried Green Tomatoes (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) - Mama.Mommy.Mom
Roasted Taters with Bacon (inspired by Lord of the Rings) - Curious Cuisinere
Goat Cheese Basil Grits (inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes) - Diabetic Foodie

Udon (pasta and noodles)

Big Night Timpano (inspired by Big Night) - Kimchi Mom
Better Baked Mac & Cheese (inspired by Soul Food) - What Smells So Good?
Spaghetti with Meatballs and Gravy (inspired by Lady and the Tramp) - Juanita's Cocina
Spicy Sichuan Noodles (inspired by Eat Drink Man Woman) - Food Lust People Love
Chicken Tchoupitoulas Pasta (inspired by Last Holiday) - Gourmet Drizzles

Just Desserts (sweet treats)

The Best Chocolate Cake (inspired by Chocolat) - The Foodie Army Wife
Chocolate Almond Torte with Raspberries (inspired by Chocolat) - Vintage Kitchen
Iocane-Dusted Brownies of Unusual Size (BOUS') (inspired by The Princess Bride) - The Cooking Actress
Minny's Chocolate Pie (inspired by The Help) - Daily Dish Recipes
Pao de Lo | Portuguese Bundt Sponge Cake (inspired by My Big Fat Greek Wedding) - Family Foodie
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie (inspired by Life of Pi) - No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Fantasia Cakes (inspired by Disney's Fantasia) - NinjaBaking. com
Chocolate Dipped Almond Coconut Bars (inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) - Kudos Kitchen By Renee
(Gluten Free) Orange Soda Pound Cake (inspired by Joe Vs The Volcano) - Blueberries and Blessings
Peach Cobbler (inspired by Soul Food) - The Lovely Pantry
Golden Ticket Peanut Butter-Pretzel Truffles (inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) - Weekend Gourmet
French Macarons (inspired by Marie Antoinette) - Happy Baking Days
Pistachio and Cherry Cannoli Cups (inspired by The Godfather) - Peanut Butter and Peppers

Bottle Shock (beverages)

Raspberry Cordial (inspired by Anne of Green Gables) - NeighborFood
Grapefruit Flirtini (inspired by Sex and the City) - Ruffles & Truffles
Wines To Pair With #SundaySupper Movie-Inspired Recipes (inspired by Sideways) - ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Wishing you magic.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Tokyo Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake, #Dessert Challenge

NinjaBaker — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:45:08 +0000

A cosmopolitan crisscross of tradition and modern twists on foreign imports; Tokyo is the ultimate destination for the creative and curious. Next to a traditional ramen noodle shop, a Starbucks coffee is served. Don’t ask for decaf. The driven and diligent population drinks only the caffeinated java. (Herbal teas, however, have become en vogue.)

Centuries old traditional Japanese noodles are served right alongside Starbucks coffee.

In Starbucks Tokyo, you will find the very unique and delicious Sakura White Chocolate. The Japanese do know how to take a good thing and improve it. They've also taken the salty German pretzel and created a honey butter version. And adopted the popular storybook character Rilakkuma bear as their mascot. If you are a traditional pretzel lover, no need to fret. At markets like Kinokuniya, you'll find your salty snack. Also, at Starbucks you can also order the same Caramel Macchiato as the one at home.

As cherry blossoms appear for the winter weary,
springtime also brings Sakura White Chocolate at Starbucks.

To celebrate the caramel coffee drink, which is popular on both sides of the Pacific, I created the Tokyo Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake. It also so happens that Sheryl, the lovely Lady Behind the Curtain, issued a dessert challenge to food bloggers to invent a sweet with caramel and pretzels.

The Ninja Baker's Tokyo Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake

Do check out Sheryl’s always creative and delicious offerings at Lady Behind the Curtain. You’ll also find plenty of other fun fare following the Ninja Baker’s Tokyo Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake contribution.

Happy to report that my buttery pretzel crust played well with the soft cake. And my espresso whipped cream drizzled with caramel sauce was reminiscent of a fluffy coffee ice cream spiked with gooey caramel.

Tokyo Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake

Tokyo Pretzel Cookie Crust
Author: Kim Watkinson

In a food processor crumble 96 grams of (Rilakkuma) honey butter pretzels, add ¼ cup melted butter and 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar.

Press a tablespoon into each cupcake case. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
Cool then add caramel cake batter.

Pretzel crusts are pressed into cupcake cases before cake batter is poured in.

Caramel Cake
Adapted from Robyn Stone’s AddAPinch.com Recipe

Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups cake flour
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Cream butter. Add sugar and beat until thoroughly combined.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Gradually pour in a bit of flour, then a little buttermilk. Continue the dance.
4. Add vanilla and beat well.
5. Divide among cupcake cases. (The recipe yields about 21 cupcakes.)
6. Cool then top with espresso whipped cream.

Espresso Cream
Author: Kim Watkinson

To ½ a tablespoon of espresso powder add hot water until you have ¼ cup. Cool.
In a bowl that has been in the freezer overnight, whip up a pint of heavy cream. Add ½ cup of powdered sugar, the ¼ cup of cool espresso and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Pipe with a star tip onto the caramel cupcakes with pretzel crusts. Drizzle with caramel sauce.

Wishing you curiosity, which lead you to discover people, and places that inspire creativity and heart smiles.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Tags:

Tokyo

Pretzel Caramel Macchiato Cupcake

#DessertChallenge