Out & About #773 | Week #92 Quarantine Update Feat. Cranberry Bliss Bars + Cocoa Cupcakes

And so we have arrived at the week before Christmas.

​Workflows are slowing, accruals are hastily accelerated, and staff are excitedly preparing for their time off. I once again opt out of a holiday vacation, for there is, really, nothing to do and nowhere to go. Dreadfully missed trips to Vancity can yet be executed with good feeling; moreover, I quite enjoy working without pinging disruptions.

Treacherous winds continued long after POLAR, causing incremental damage to our already ailing flag over the course of the week. Its eventual demise was witnessed on Friday morning, just as the gusts dissipated and a snowy premonition was forecast for the upcoming twenty-hour period.

Creations of the week included:

1) Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars

Earlier in the month came contemplation of my next baking endeavour: Nanaimo Bars or a homemade rendition of Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bar. Poll results favoured the latter; eager responses requested relaying of the final formula upon seeing success.

A cursory review of the franchise's famed seasonal treat informed of a blondie base, synthetic orange flavouring, and, as expected, a malleable, oil-based top layer. The list continued into stabilizers, chemical compounds, and commercial preservatives for the obvious intents of prolonged shelf life and store-ability. Given that the creation wasn't new by any means though, the ingredient list had been adapted for the standard consumer by a handful of online sources.

Rather than aimless scans of each, I sought guidance from the almighty SK. "Infinitely adaptable" - her recipe had read; I proceeded to take her words literally and incorporated the flavourings from the very first Google Search result.
Orange extract was apparently non-negotiable, prompting procurement of Watkins Pure Orange Extract. The addition indeed proved vital in both the blondie base and cream cheese frosting: its inclusion was noticeable, leaving a distinct tingle on the tongue following consumption. Several other recipes had noted it as "optional", but I'd disagree with that remark.  The same would apply to orange zest - definitely not optional. Ginger powder, on the hand, was less important and could be substituted with cinnamon for the same subtle spicy warmth if desired.

​From SK's recipe, the brown sugar content was reduced by 25%. The original ratio was 1:1 of melted butter and brown sugar, though I could already predict the headaches that would emerge from that combination. I included a sprinkle of baking powder as well, despite being advised against the addition. Other amounts were maintained. I took to dividing the thick mixture between two loaf pans as opposed to a square or rectangle baking pan and adjusted the baking time accordingly, checking for doneness along the way.

Known not for my patience, I took to slicing off an edge for sampling while still hot from the oven. It was insanely sugarly and ultimately too fluffy to be considered a "bar". In addition, it was too tall. At that moment, I regretted the addition of baking powder. That said, denseness came effortlessly after cooling and chilling. But chewiness and excessive sweetness prevailed even after refrigerating, much to my dismay.

Future attempts shall see use of a jelly roll pan instead for height balance, omission of baking powder, and perhaps less brown sugar (more flour?) to eliminate the sweetener-induced twinges. White chocolate-enhanced cream cheese frosting was splendid, offering the structure missed in the original version.

2) Cocoa Cupcakes w/ Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

​I've been itching for chocolate cake for some time now. Equipped with a new mini muffin pan, a complimentary piping tip and bag combo, and reassurance that oil in cakes doesn't always lead to greasy fumes, I dove into Sunday Baking's Chocolate Dessert playlist. There were several contenders, but the one for Halloween Chocolate Cupcakes required the fewest modifications.

​A portion of the cocoa powder was swapped for (a lesser quantity of) black cocoa powder, partially due to limited inventory and partially since I desired a darker, sophisticated flavour. The bitter properties of the black cocoa shone through with the assistance of decaf espresso powder.

I also initially questioned the inclusion of hot water in the formula, but must admit that it allowed the cakes to remain light even after cooling and refrigerating.

​In place of chocolate ganache decorated with edible google eyes, I took advantage of the remaining block of cream cheese, folding in melted white chocolate, whipped cream, and a teaspoon of Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste. The frosting, while airy, was a tragedy to pipe given its unstable properties. Gelatin had not been added with the hopes that chilled cream cheese and hardened white chocolate would be sufficient in retaining shape. They weren't. Extra care was taken to pipe the frosting steadily, for extended periods at room temp would lead to dissolution and failure to take ridges from the piping tip.

​The final yield was, nonetheless, scrumptious. My sole gripes lay with an absence of fragrant, buttery essences and difficulty in liner removal, but the overall composition was tasty without satiating aftereffects.

3) Holiday Rice Krispies with Toasted Almond Slivers

Fresh marshmallows were obtained in the latest grocery run, paving the way for a second attempt at the nostalgic, kid-friendly holiday snack. The last attempt had proven aromatic, albeit a tad too crunchy with a high butter-to-marshmallow proportion.

The unplanned second venture involved more marshmallows, adherence to the cereal box recipe, and toasted almonds to top. Underestimation of the roasting time caused more browning than desired. The slices retained amazing fragrance, but were very frail in texture.

The asymmetrical pieces were darker than expected, which could be owed to either scorching of the cereal or inclusion of the almond decor.

​Meals of the week comprised of Soy Chicken Drumsticks, an unpictured Steamed Pork w/ Preserved Vegetables (菜脯蒸瘦肉), and Pie Bar leftovers.

In advance of a weather advisory warning, I set out to Square One with the aim of avoiding both messy roads and weekend parking mayhem. Recent additions of the IKEA Design Studio and Grinch's Grotto photo studio were spotted. A medium-sized Poinsettia tree was also observed, though a lofty version in the Centre Court was replaced by a Vodkow sample stall.

Circuit breakers were hinted over the past twenty-four hours. I hesitated not before visiting The Rec Room over my limited lunch break. Just slightly after 12:30 PM, the arcade floor was deserted. Two rounds of Pump It Up! could be accommodated between errands and Chipotle pick-up, then an eventual return to emails and misery.

I lifted heavy eyelids on Saturday morning to see a world of white. The flittering flakes would continue haphazardly throughout the day, halting in the early evening hours.

The thorough dusting marked our first proper snowfall since the WinterFest weekend.