Some say, having the ability not to rush our morning routine is a privilege. I have to say, it really is. Morning is a sacred time when you’re most likely to be your own person and can set the tone of your day.

I saw various morning routines that are always too packed with too many activities, from working out, skin care routine, etc. It used to be something I aspired to do but these days, I just love the idea of cooking a wholesome breakfast, sitting down and enjoying my cup of coffee.

Since I do something like intermittent fasting( I don’t eat right away after waking up), it makes a whole lot more sense to spend time on something else. So, since I want to spice up my mornings lately, I learned how to bake Castella Cake.

To pair some of the great coffee I have in my mini coffee bar, Castella cake is the perfect pairing to not only boost my mood but get the good amount of protein, carb and sugar that would boost me throughout the day and you might try this at home because it’s so easy to make.

Sticking to the traditional Castella Cake

When you try to find recipes out there, they’re always complicated. They added too many things such as matcha, butter, milk etc. But don’t worry if you don’t have all that. You can stick to the traditional recipe that only needs eggs, flour and sugar.

For 90gr of flour, you can use 3 eggs and 4 tbsp of sugar. If you want it to be a lot more sweet, add a bit of stevia or erythritol.

In our household we always have sugar substitutes and it tastes way better than actual sugar. Since some of our family members suffer from it, that’s just something that couldn’t be missed in our pantry. But again, if you don’t have it, that’s fine.

The secret of making a good castella cake is when you try to make the meringue which is a mixture of sugar and the egg whites. Make sure to whip it for 4-5 minutes and use a timer if you can. It should look something like this.

The rest is all about mixing the mixture of the egg yolk and the flour. Then bake it and if you want a clean topper looking, use a bowl filled with water to act like a steamer.

There are many shapes to castella but the cupcake shape is my favorite. It’s easy to bite and doesn’t look too heavy. I think shapes and the way it looks matter too. So, that’s why I opt for this cup cake size bite.

Once it’s cooled down, you can tear out the baking paper and enjoy a delicious fluffy breakfast that’ll make your day.

Make sure the coffee has a chocolate aftertaste and note it. As it also pairs well with something sweet. Think of like chocolate, brown sugar notes of your coffee rather than floral or fruity notes.

This is my first time baking Castella….

I don’t know what has plagued my brain lately. I want to try all the baking goods that go well with coffee. I suddenly have a greater appreciation of time and don't mind having an hour for baking or cooking a delicious meal. Since technically, I can make better coffee than what the cafe does around here, I rarely go out as well for coffee.

Why pay a lot for something I can do better at home?

It sounds silly but these days I realize what I didn’t have before, an appreciation of time. I was always rushing, thinking things would go away if I didn’t chase it right away. The truth is, they are all still going to be there. Sure some opportunities are missed but life has so many twist and turns that can be so unpredictable that could change the course of your entire life. It just hits.

So rather than getting caught up in the past, regrets and just trying to absorb too many things, like I once did. You just have to live it, to truly understand what life is all about. Others experiences could be a cautionary tale but the thing is, just live your own life, your own terms, and the way you like it even if it’s different. Everything takes time. And I know, it’s easier said and done.

When you get the aha! moment, you’ll get it.

So, that’s the coffee pairing of the day that got me writing all about it.. See you in my next brew.