Do you ever have one one those days, when you’re feeling a bit low, and you start asking yourself questions .. why ? Well last weekend i was feeling exceptionally low, and started asking myself, ” What is happiness ?” – ” How do you define Happiness ?” … n then i went on n asked everyone i met for the rest of the week … here are a few replies i got …
- Happiness is exploring new places, tasting new things
- Happiness … depends, right now drinking tea and enjoying the cool weather is happiness. I wouldn’t change for anything.
- Happiness is…(profound) knowing that sadness exists …(practical) Sharing a great meal w/love
- Happiness is with Friends and Family
- I define happiness as … sitting quietly on my front porch, watching a rainstorm dance by, observing all of nature joyously celebrating it’s abundance
- I define happiness as … walking through the dewy summer grass barefoot, the smile on a person’s face upon seeing you, the warm sun shining on your face, the feeling of being completely loved faults and all
- Happiness is … having the freedom, health and opportunity to do great things for myself and others.
- Happiness is being at peace with myself and those around me and being able to give
- I define happiness as … standing in the rain and really feeling every single rain drop that touches you, and knowing that each drop is a not a tear from God above but a drop of his everlasting love falling sown on us.
- Happiness is … comfortable shoes …
- Happiness – Simple stuff: a child laughing, sun shining, flowers blooming, art, feeding people, helping others in need … all make me happy!
According to me there is no perfect definition for happiness. Everyone has their own meaning to it. For some its a long time achievement for some its momentary happiness. I believe happiness is based on happenings, its a fleeting emotion that comes and goes. Takes you up high and at times, low below. Happiness to me comes from little things, from simple joys of day to day life. To me its not a goal … but a feeling of Joy. Joy comes with happiness, you can’t have joy and at the same time you’re unhappy … How do you define happiness … What makes you happy ??
Its always a good thing to have some layers of cake in the freezer. Always comes in handy for these kinda days, when you’re really not upto baking, yet desire something sweet. I always have a layer of genoise n chocolate cake for emergencies … sometimes i get irresistible pangs of sweet cravings, and so i have to be prepared 
So with the cake at hand, making this dessert cake becomes extremely easy.
1 + 1/2 tsp Matcha green tea powder
1-2 tbsps hot milk
4 tbsps mascarpone
4 tbsp cream
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 + 1/2 tsp gelatin powder dissolved in 3 tbsp water
1 layer of chocolate cake
If you want to make them in individual molds, start with cutting the shapes out in the chocolate cake, 3 layers for each mold. If using one loose bottom round tin, then double the quantity of the ingredients, and take 3 layers of cake. Dissolve the Matcha with the hot milk. Let it cool. Loosen the mascarpone with the cream and beat it up together. Add the sugar, matcha and the gelatin mixture and mix well. Place the bottom layer of the cake in the tin, and pour some of this mixture on the top. If you find it too thick then add some more cream before you pour it on top. Put this in the freezer and let it set. The gelatin will make it set quickly. Once you think its firm enough, repeat this step with the second layer, and then the third. Finally let it set overnight. When you’re ready to serve, loosen the cake and remove from tin. Sprinkle with grated chocolate. Alterately you could just make it in a glass. I cut the broken corners of the chocolate cake and set this dessert in a glass. And the glass version does not need gelatin. Just keep the mascarpone mixture thick, and pour it over the top. This would make for more of a Matcha n Dark Chocolate dessert smoothie Enjoy !
Magnificent! Your cake looks fabulous! I love that flavor combination! Interesting… What beautiful pictures too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Awesome, Superb! click of pics. Dynamite combo. Must try for me. Nice quotes on Happiness.
Rosa, thanks ..
Kitchen .. those are real statements passed by friends n family members
happiness is coming here and drooling over this dessert!lovely!
aww Meeta that is so sweet
.. right now happiness is reading that this dessert makes you happy !! haha too much of happiness going around 
Wow!! the pics are just gorgeous…a visual treat..
Ah happiness! Happiness is Friday after a very long week! Your pictures made it even better. YUM!
I feel happy looking at your fabulous dessert, and would be on cloud 9 if I were spooning this into my mouth!
Rachel, thnx
Candy .. oh yeah fridays are gr8 !
nicisme, … haha i wish i could help you with that
Great exploration of the whole happiness thing Kate…nicely said! And that cake looks scrumptious…geez! you’re prepared with all those layers in the freezer…talk about ready to go!
Just looking at it makes me happy
It is absolutely beautiful and the flowers, too! It seems like you are doing a lotta deep thinking this month & it's great! Thanks for putting in there my definition of happiness, too!
Beautil and delicious and creamy.
You may serve this to me any time, i will be more than HAPPY
peter … when i’m baking cakes to use as bases or layers, i always bake an extra one … u know while i’m at it. always comes in handy.
Mohini…
This month has been good for me. I think keeping your stomach empty is good for your mind 
.. n u r most welcome … thx for sharing that with me 
Mmm, this cake would make me happy! Beautiful!!
Sometimes I ask myself the same question as well. I think it’s a good thing to ponder once in a while. I usually find that being aware of the simple things and how lucky I am to have family, friends, love definitely brings my spirits up. Baking makes me happy too!
Your pictures are so beautiful. Could you please tell me what camera you have used to take this pictures. I am looking to buy a dslr camera.
Happiness is one of your photos! (silly girl!)
Anita ..
Baking makes me happy too. And its always wonderful to enjoy and appreciate the simple joys of life. It brings me so much happiness i cannot tell you. Like right now there is a gentle drizzle outside, n get stepping out getting a few of those drops all over my body and stepping back in has made me so happy !
Tesawe .. thnks, i’ll reply to you mail soon.
Maryann
thank you :p hehe
Goodness me, what alovely combination. Mancha and dark chocolate? Divine!
Beautiful photos Kate!
Anky,
What a treat for the eyes this is
Happiness on a Friday afternoon right there!
I think making beautiful things = happy too! and you are doing just that!!
Wonderful, beautiful…very proud of your thoughts and quests for deeper meaning and your beautiful things to eat!
Cheers and Hugs,
Kanan.
P.S. Your pic of dad, sis, you and arpi is my desktop background — so you are very close to me in more ways than one!
Thanks for sharing that picture of dad.
K.
Well I’m easily happy. I’m happy when I see such simple and beautiful things like your cake. Hapiness is really about small things.
Elra .. thanks so much !
Kanan .. i know making beautiful things brings so much happiness and inner satisfaction. And can u believe it, in all the years i’ve known uncle that was the only picture i have with him ! Hope you’re doin well girl
Clumbsy Cookie … yup happiness is all about small things
Looking at your beautiful pictures and trying to replicate them on my own is what makes me happy. It’s all about the journey
Very nice and looks yummy! I especially like the one in the glass!
That dessert is SO good..it shouldn’t be allowed. Gorgeous pics! Drool drool drool.
Happiness is…meeting a fellow Sindhi (well honorary anyways, since u married one).
I laughed when I read ur comment! I’m so happy u know what Nido gulab jammus taste like!
And is that the reason for 2 names? Kate before the wedding and Kajal after?
Amanda, oh yes the journey !!
mycookinghut … thanks
Bharti .. hehe … man i freaked out when i learnt you’re sindhi. I speak sindhi like my mother tongue now. I’ll make it simple for you … i’m gujarati – Ankita, married a sindhi- name changed to Kajal. But we’re Hong Kong sindhi, so we get to keep a English name as well, cuz the local Chinese cannot say our names without screwing them up. So year my name/business cards say Kate Tejsinghani
sindhi enough ??
lol..now I get it..
And man, u ARE the real deal.
Sindhis in ‘Haangkaang’, Manila and Jakarta always need an “English” name! Daado cool sai
Right now your cake is making me happy, it’s gorgeous!
Bharti .. haha yup i am :p
For me happiness is feeling loved and enjoying life s small things. This dessert looks so nice. I don t find green tea powder here can I use green tea powder
That is a beautiful, delicate looking cake. Fantastic work!
love the color, love the flavor combo, love everything! happiness is tasting this dessert
I hope you’re feeling better, Kate
The hexagonal cake with the chocolate leaves is tres elegante! I love that you have *emergency* genoise, hahaha! 
Awesome cake Kate … Mindblowing as always!!
snooky doodle, u can order it online. Buy the Matcha green tea powder.
Mike, thanks
eliza…
and i did 
Swati … haha thanks !!
Hey there Kate…thanks for a brilliant dose of hapiness! Was questioning life over the last few days & the low feeling was setting in. Lot better now, but nothing that yummy matcha can't fix! Adopt me…I promise I won't grouch & will even do the dishes!! YUM!!
Absolutely gorgeous cakes, and those flavors sound just perfect! I’ve never frosted anything that’s such a challenging shape like that- awesome work.
I giggled at “happiness is comfortable shoes.”
For me,in addition to your list, happiness is reading about all your beautiful creations and looking at your photos!
-Reading about all the other wonderful creations by other foodies
-Playing around in the kitchen and creating tasty treats
-Dining at a restaurant with all the right elements (good atmosphere, service and food)
-Getting mesmerized by a good read or movie
Hee hee sorry for rambling on but don’t feel down
because happiness is all around even at the darkest times! 
Hope you are all better especially with such a comforting cake mmmmm ^^!
I love matcha, I love chocolate cake and I love mascarpone! This combination so works for me! What pretty pics!
Dear Kate
Your pictures are fabulous and I am now intent on reproducing your cake!
Question: how large a cake layer does your matcha/mascarpone porportions serve?
Thank you!
As I get older, happiness for me is much more about having the people around me that I love and spending time with them. Appreciating what I have and not wanting things all the time.
simply……..delicious!
good job..
u knw what kate, happiness is giving me a slice of that yummy cake.
Anything with chocolate in it is enough to make me a happy panda. Beautiful!
lovely mouth watering cake…n lovely lines on happiness…its just too beautiful
Manggy .. oh yes its an utmost necessity – the genoise
Deeba … haha you’re adopted :p
Hannah, its easier than u think
Susan … hehe but its true … just think about it !
Fichiban … oh i love getting mesmerized by a good movie … it can totally make or spoil my mood !
I’m going just fine, all these loving comments , hot can i not be happy !!
n u’re not rambling, i love it when people share
Cakebrain … thanks
Evelyn, this recipe is good to serve 2, double the recipe for more.
This hexagonal shape serves one person, and the equivalent of that is in the glass. So this recipe works for 2 good portions.
Helen, happiness changes right , from age, to situations, to circumstances … happiness is so flexible !And yeah aging does sober down things … i know exactly what u mean !
Latifa , thank u !
Sweetbites, haha sure , if it makes u happy !
Chubby Panda, …me too :p
Anjum … thank you !
Your cake and pictures are beautiful! I’ve never had a matcha dessert before.
Not sure if you have already read Daniel Gilbert’s best-seller, Stumbling upon Happiness. Among other things, the book goes on to say that most people don’t know what exactly will make them happy.
beautiful dessert as usual, katey!
as for
“- Happiness is … comfortable shoes …”
OHMYGOD! I CUDN’T AGREE MORE!
Why didn’t you ask me about my view of happiness?
Happiness is… whenever I drop by your blog! =D
Hey, me not good at buttering up, but happiness lies in so many, don’t you agree? =)
I’m trying VERY hard to digest this recipe cos I’m totally swept off by the idea of having a portion set in a cup. Totally dainty! Sadly, I’m a hopeless novice baker, and I really wonder when will I get to make something like that… =(
Happiness is once I’ve conquered it then!!