MANILA, Philippines - Maya all-purpose flour recently launched New Gen Bakers, an initiative designed to encourage everyone to go back to basics and savor the pleasures of baking. This growing community shares recipes, tips and even attends classes, events and other activities. They also get discounts and other freebies.
In 2005, Zarah Manikan, a young wife and mother, decided to devote her time to her growing family. She also decided to aggressively pursue her interests in cooking and baking and ended up enrolling at The Maya Kitchen to take up Basic Culinary and Basic Bakery Production.
Today, Zarah is now an entrepreneur selling her baked goods to a growing number of clients. She ialso one of the New Generation Bakers discovering the delight and financial reward of baking.
To know more about Maya All Purpose Flour and the New Gen Bakers, log on to www.newgenbaker.com.
Banana Cupcakes With Walnuts
1 stick butter — room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1 piece egg
1 cup Maya All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup or 6 pieces ripe bananas (saba), mashed
1/2 cup choco chips (depends on the size of the chips)
1/3 cup chopped nuts (cashew/walnut)
3 pieces oatmeal cookies, crushed (optional)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
a dash of cinnamon
a dash of nutmeg
Frosting:
1 bar cream cheese
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shortening
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 – 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Whole walnuts to decorate
Preheat oven at 392ºF or 200 ºC.
Combine butter and brown sugar. Then add the egg. Add the flour and baking soda. Mix well. Add the bananas, chocolate chips, nuts or some ready-crushed oatmeal cookies, if using, and the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Scoop into the cupcake molds with cupcake liner. Bake 20-30 minutes or until bake test doneness. Set aside to cool.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add enough sugar gradually until desired consistency. Spread on top of cupcakes and decorate cakes with walnuts.