Wednesday 6 October 2010

dessert in a toast box

十月六日...对很多人来说,只是一个普通的日子。不过今天对我的老大来说却是个大日子。今天是小六会考的第一天!真相希望他在考场能够有所发挥 :)

It's the start of the PSLE today. In a week's time, the examination will be over, and it also means that my elder child would have completed his 6 years of primary school education. How time flies! While I was packing up our old photo albums, I couldn't help but laughed at how cute he looked when he was in primary one ;)

As the examination drew closer, I found myself more relaxed. I believe I have finally reached the S4 level as a 'leader' based on the Situational Leadership model (by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey) and my child as a 'follower' has moved to the D4 level (someone with high competence, high commitment – experienced at the job, and comfortable with their own ability to do it well, may even be more skilled than the leader.)

Two months ago, I noticed my elder child began to pick up momentum in his preparation for the exam. He demonstrated a zealous attitude in wanting to do well...he planned out his revision schedule and time tables, and even set his own targets for each subject. I didn't even have to sit down side by side with him to go through his work. He did his revision mostly by himself. Whenever I felt guilty, I would spend a few moments of my time just to check that he was doing ok on his own. When it was down to 4 weeks before the D-day, I was too preoccupied with the planning of my home renovation. I am glad that without my close supervision, he was still able to study hard, real hard, I must say, for he is still a child. Sometimes, I even joked that it was as though he was preparing for some university entrance exams...you will be amazed with the piles and stacks of files, assessment books, etc, lying all over our house. As the day drew even closer, I found myself giving him lots of hugs everyday...I am so pleased with his learning attitude. My role as a 'coach' now, is to keep encouraging and assuring him that he will be fine. Very often, he worries that he won't pass with good grades...he lacks self-confidence. So I have to tell him, with the effort he has put in, I am sure even if the end result is not as expected, he won't live with regrets. I hope he understand what I meant when I told him..."The process is more important than the results. Some other people may think otherwise, but to mama, your learning attitude is more important than anything else, and I want you to hold these values with you all the way to your adulthood." I know very well his limits and potential. I don't expect him to pass with flying colours (it will be a miracle), but I am assured that he won't do too badly either. What more can I ask for?



On a lighter note, I will like to share with you this sweet treat...Dessert in a Toast Box! I happened to chance upon a video clip when I was looking for recipes on how to make Korean mochi buns. This is something so interested that I wasted no time to try it once I managed to bake a decent homemade pullman loaf.


It is basically a bread 'box' topped with fruits and scoops of ice cream. Inside the 'box' are layers of toasted bread 'cubes' drizzled with honey. I also topped it with some homemade breakfast granola. Sounds delicious isn't it?! I have tried with both a plain white loaf and a wholemeal bread...both are equally good. I hope the instructions I have posted below is clear enough...and if you happen to try it, I am sure you will have fun both preparing and eating it!


Dessert in a Box


Cut a 11cmx11cmx20cm pullman loaf into half, you will get two bread 'cuboids'. With a serrated knife, make a cut on each of of the 4 sides of a bread cuboid, leaving a gap of around 1cm from the edges. Make a slit along the base of the box (see illustration below, refer red line at the base).  Carefully remove the bread.

Slice the bread into 3 layers. Cut into 4s for each layer to get a total of 12 small cubes. Spread all the 6 surfaces of each cube with butter. Spread the insides of the bread 'box' with butter.

Place the bread box in the oven (preheated to 180 degC) for around 10mins or until the surfaces turn golden brown. Heat up a non-stick pan. Over medium to low heat, toast the bread cubes until they turn golden brown. Note: You can also toast the cubes together with the bread box in the oven, turn the cubes around so that all the surfaces are golden browned. Leave to cool off a little.


Place the toasted cubes into the bread box, layer by layer. Drizzle with honey on each layer. Press the bread cubes down a little to provide room for the toppings.


Place cut fruits (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, banana, kiwi fruits, grapes, etc) in the box.


Top with scoops of ice cream, a sprinkle of nuts (I topped it with my homemade breakfast granola) and a drizzle of melted chocolate. Serve immediately.


56 comments:

Cynthia said...

Saw this dessert in Tokyo in my recent trip. It was quite expensive to pay for it overthere. Thanks for the recipe and I should try one day:)

Bakericious said...

HHB, I am so envy you have such a good son that you dun need to worry much. And all the best to him!

I saw this dessert in a toast box before,I was so tempting to try but, I need to master my bread making skill 1st hahaha...

Nash Nordin said...

WOW! That looks absolutely YUM!
I always wanted to learn hot to make a toast box. Maybe one of these days...

Edith said...

HHB, you deserve a pat on the shoulder for a good job done as a mother. For, I think I failed miserably in this aspect. My old boy is totally not self motivated at all. Even to this date, he is very dependable on me to push him to study. How I wish I have a child like you. I noticed that my grey hair more now.

Quinn said...

I love how they look, the pictures are amazing and so attractive! I have to make this! They are kind of healthy actually, minus the ice cream but would make a good dessert or perhaps breakfast! Thank you so much!!!

Wen said...

This is so interesting and creative. A loaf packed with so much goodness. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Just want to wish your son good luck in his exams, i know it is tough - my girl is in P5 and I can see the road will get rockier next yr. And you are such a good mom, so understanding, I agree with you the journey of learning is more important that the destination, but sometimes I get "distracted" by the competitiveness in my kids' school, so thanks for your post, it served as a good reminder !

Orange Juice

Joceline said...

So creative & nice!
You are great.

busygran said...

I love it! It's interesting!

Constance said...

hi,

your bread is in a beautiful square shape. did you make the bread yourself or buy it?

Lilladylife said...

beautiful!!!!!!!!

KWF said...

Gosh! What can be more delicious that this? I'm sure kids will have fun digging the treasures. I should really let my son read this post, so that he can learn the attitude from your boy. Now I still have to sit beside him for him to do his revisions.

Baking Fiend said...

OHHHH! I saw this dessert being recommended on one of those TW entertainment shows. And I was wondering aloud when will this dessert hit our shores. :P Yours sure looks delicious! as good as the one I saw on the show.

Good luck to your boy for his PSLE. I'm sure he will do well. :)

Anonymous said...

Looks great! I've also seen similar toast boxes containing soup. I think the type of soup was chowder or a cream based soup. Oh, and have you ever tried making bread pudding before? The little blocks of bread reminded me of it. Bread pudding is sooo good, it's kind of like french toast but not really. You cut bread into pieces and you drizzle with milk among other ingredients so it becomes a sort of rich, delicious "pudding". Serve it with ice cream and yummm. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi
you are amazing, yr dessert is an art piece, fit to be displayed and well done, mama, I am sure yr son will do you proud. For your beloved son, you are such a good mama , understanding and patience and doing and providing all. 3 cheers to you .
best regards
lori

Unknown said...

Hi,

My son is also sitting for PSLE this year...jiayu!!!

Cosy Bake said...

I'm sure he will do well!! Wish my boy would eat fruits like kiwis.... VEry good idea!

Evy said...

Lovely!. Very Creative.

Happy Homebaker said...

H cynthia@my-sweet-hut, I read this dessert is originated from Japan.

Jess, even though I want my children to do really well, but I realised that I shouldn't push them too much. I have learned to 'let go' and lower my expectations. That is why I don't have to worry too much although I still feel anxious and uneasy!

Edith, I don't think I have done a good job...but my hair is definitely greying at a tremendous speed! Every child is different. As parents, we really need to try our best to be able 'see' and appreciate their strengths and try not to always enlarge their weak areas. I hope I can do better in this area!

Quinn, instead of ice cream, replace it with frozen yoghurt or yoghurt, and it can be served for breakfast :)

Orange Juice, I think P5 is actually the toughest year!

Constance, yes, it is a homemade bread loaf I made by hand.

KWF, my younger child needs constant nagging and supervision too! I am sure when your son is older, he will be a more independent learner.

Baking Fiend, thanks for the well wishes!

x3baking, what a good idea to use this for soup :)
I have tried making bread pudding once, but it is not the same as what you have described, yours sounds so good!

lori, nah, I am sure like a typical mum, just that I am lucky to have easy going kids.

Verone Hoo, all the best to your son!!! Jia Yu!!!

Honey boy, you can give him the golden kiwis, it is sweeter :)

Unknown said...

I hope I am as good as you in dealing with this kind of thing, dont know how will I react when my sons sit for exam next time.

Aunty Liew said...

Wish your son all the best.
Surprising you could cut out a perfect square box,you really have a good and sharp knife.

The Experimental Cook said...

Very interesting dish. Next time when kids come visiting, I will do this.

Hearty Bakes said...

Wish your boy all the best! You are a great mum, always there for them, understand their needs & shower them with your love. Growing up in such a secure and loving environment, i'm sure your boys will certainly do well in life, not just academic perspectic. Well done!

ReeseKitchen said...

This look so delicious and interesting. I like the way of preparing and decorating this dessert. No one can resist this kind of dessert...:)

Mj said...

Hi hhb, u r v blessed to hv such a 乖巧 child, my elder boy taking PSLE nxt yr, i hope i can b as 'zen'!

missy said...

i think your dessert piece is such an artpiece! im sure your boys will love them! kudos to u.

and being such a nice mom, always baking and cooking delicious food for them. they will know it and they will def do well in their exams!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Wor Wor,this is interesting and it look so tempting, especially for kids.

Kasia w kuchni♥♥♥ said...

WoW!!!!
beautiful!!!

Swee San said...

wow it looks fantastic!! I'm usually not a bread person, but I don't mind eating bread if it's served like this :P

Kitchen Corner said...

Hi HHB,
This dessert in a toast box is super great! What a good idea to turn the toast into dessert with lots of fruit and topped with ice cream. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
Going through the study journey with children is really a hard work, but I'm sure all your hard work will absolutely worth it. You're a great mum and great mum cultivate great children!

xan said...

Hi HHB - Good Luck for your son's PSLE. how i wish my son is so independent & motivated as yours. Well, his hard work is well paid with all your yummy bakes :). This toast looks great! will include it in my to-do list.

Camemberu said...

Your toast box dessert looks scrumptious - even better than commercial desserts! Your son is a lucky boy!

Anonymous said...

HI HHB

Your son is very disciplined! mine still needs me to sit with him to do most of the revision. maybe it is because i have never dared let go! good luck to both our kids! 2 down, 4 to go!
regards
octopusmum

Anonymous said...

oops , i mean 3 to go...
octopusmum

Angel @ Cook.Bake.Love said...

This is such a brilliant idea, yummy!

I have seen salad in toast box but not this....hope I can try this soon.

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

HHB,your son is definitely self motivated and this will carry him far...you will see :)

Happy Homebaker said...

neyeeloh, don't worry, you still have a few years to go :)

Wai Kitt, it is a cheap $2 knife I got from Daiso ;)

Mj, I think after going thru so many exams, I am almost immune to it!

missy, I really hope he will do well!

Grace, thanks! Nah, I think I am not doing enough as compared to other mothers out there.

octopusmum, just 2 more to go!!!

Shirley, thanks for your kind words and assurance. This is the kind of encouraging words that all mummies like to hear :):)

tryout said...

hi.hope you won't found it too awkward..
may i know how to design watermark on the photos?
i've try a few online watermark/online logo design
but things didn't come out the way i expected.
thank you.
~joey~

Happy Homebaker said...

hi joey, I used MS powerpoint to create the watermark.

Anonymous said...

This is such a clever idea, HHB! And what a great treat for your very diligent kid!

I hope he'll pass his PSLE with flying colours and do himself and you proud! :)

Cooking Gallery said...

This looks totally, totally to die for...!! I wouldn't in my life refuse such a great looking dessert!

Yummy Bakes said...

Wow ... this dessert look very delicious beautiful. All the best to your son's PSLE.

K said...

this looks amazing! ive never seen anything like this~~ i'm definitely trying this out. thanks~~

Elin Chia said...

After reading this great post, I can only say one thing. You are a great momsie, great mentor and great role model for your sons. Great parents yield great children :)

I tell my son the same thing every semester he is back. " You have done your best, so no regrets later in life "

Thanks for sharing dessert in toast box. Looks so delicious :)

Jo said...

What a unique dessert! This is the up-market version of the ice-cream sandwhich sold by the vendor at the traffic light corner. Delicious.

Anonymous said...

HHB can i ask you a question? how can you did all these so well? i tried your sponge cake but i FAILED. do you have any skills? you learn it by yourself or you went go any schools which teaches you baking?

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Anonymous, I learn baking from cookbooks. I have not attended any baking class or workshops, not even demo workshops. Everything is self taught. I learned a lot from Japanese translated to Chinese cookbooks which provide detailed step by step photo illustrations. I also learn the basic baking knowledge from websites such as joyofbaking and baking911.com. There is no secrets, just follow recipes closely, look into every single detail and understand the Science behind baking before attempting something new. I started with simple bakes such as cookies and muffins before attempting more challenging bakes such as sponge cakes, chiffon and eventually bread and buns.

For the sponge cake, you will need to beat the eggs and sugar until the batter turns pale, thickens, double/triple in volume, and will leave a ribbon-like trail when you lift up the beater. Then fold in the flour into the batter in 3 separate additions (make sure you sieve the flour at least 3 times before using and sieve it over the batter so that it will incorporate easily). Did you follow all these steps closely?

liza othman said...

nice n creative toast in a box tht evrything can eat inside out hehehhe

Klaus Janssen said...

I love this blog. Keep up the good work.

Charlene said...

Hi! (:

I've never commented, but I've been following your blog, and you've been an aspiring person to me! (being a happy housewife, cooking heavenly food for the family)

I miss reading your updates, so I hope the construction at your kitchen is going well and it'll be ready for more baking/cooking action asap! (;

P/S: My friends loveeeeeee your low-fat orange yogurt cake recipe (;

agapejen said...

So beautiful, creativity out of the box... i mean toast box :)

Cafe Pepela said...

Woow!
The dessert looks so yummylicious!

art is in the kitchen said...

The pan de mie box with topping is an absolute delight!

les 2 gourmands said...

OH GOD !!! this is outragesly beautiful !!! what a wonderful idea !!

Laura said...

Hi there,
I saw your blog how to make a toast box dessert and I love it! I was just wondering if you happen to have the recipe of the bread or the "pullman loaf" itself. If you can help me, it would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi, I have posted a white pullman loaf here:
http://happyhomebaking.blogspot.sg/2010/09/back-to-basics.html
hope this helps :)