Greer's OC

Move over donuts, cupcakes and the flash in the pan cronuts, Chef Bill Bracken, formerly of DivBar in collaboration with his wife Molly, and friends and chefs/bakers Ramon and Chari Reyes, launched the Ensaymada Project and are baking delicious buttery ensaymadas, a Filipino treat made in small batches. The team refers to their endeavor as a 'project' since they truly are on a mission to spread the news of this beloved pastry that’s been around since the 17th century.

Ensaymadas can best be described as a cupcake sized, sweet bread that tastes like brioche topped with buttercream and grated cheese.They’re buttery, decadent and have a variety of frostings and fillings. You can taste these savory and sweet treats by ordering them at the Ensaymada Project. 

At Ensaymada Project, they offer flavors such as Original, Mocha Nutella, Cinnamada, Maple Bacon and Ube (purple yam), Coconut, Sweet Mango, Taleggio Cheese and coming soon Crushed Truffle, Pesto Four Cheese, and Dulche de Leche.  

The treats come packaged individually and are best when warmed in an oven or microwave. A dozen costs $22 to $25.

Learn more about The Ensaymada Project at  ensaymadaproject.com.

Cookie and Cupcake Tips and Tricks

Hone your cookie and cupcake decorating skills with the help of Newport Beach based Louise Sandy Baking Co. She’s kicking off 2014 with a series of cookie and cupcake decorating workshops hosted at her kitchen for up to eight people. 

The workshops start with coffee and home-baked treats, while Sandy explains the basics of the skills, then you can put them into practice. You can take home your masterpieces in a beautiful display box, along with a gift of a cookie cutter. 

The first valentine cookie decorating workshop is on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.

This workshop covers the basics of cookie decorating, all with a Valentine's Day theme.  In this session you will learn: an overview of the two most common types of cookie dough, sugar cookie and gingerbread.  Tips on rolling techniques and getting a nice clean cut. How to make royal icing, the best type of food coloring to use, and how to achieve the correct consistencies for the different decorating techniques. Basic piping skills, using the outline and flood techniques. Adding details, including dry on wet, wet on wet and embellishments such as lustres, sparkles and sanding sugars Advice on drying, storing and packaging your cookies. It’s ideal for beginners and costs $60.

A Valentine cupcake decorating workshop is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This workshop covers the basics of cupcake decorating, all with a Valentine's Day theme. In this session you will learn a good cake recipe and general baking tips to give you a good cupcake to work with. You'll learn an overview of the different frosting types and the effects you can achieve with them: buttercream frosting, Swiss meringue buttercream, ganache and fondant.  Other topics covered include adding flavorings and/or colorings; piping bags and how to fill and use them; icing tips and nozzles and the patterns they produce; adding decorative accents: fondant cut-outs, sprinkles etc. And, how to make a fondant rose.

It’s ideal for beginners and costs $60.

To book, or make an enquiry, click here, or email louise@louisesandybaking.com or call 949.338.0242.