Basic Vanilla Cake with lemon glaze

Method:

For cake:

1. Beat unsalted butter (4 oz) at room temperature, sugar (2/3 cups or to taste), vanilla essence (1 tsp), preferably in a dough mixer.
2. Sift 1 cup flour with a pinch of salt and 1 tsp baking powder. Add in batches. Continue beating. 
3. When the dough is sticky and smooth, use a spatula to spread it evenly on a cake pan that has been buttered and dusted with flour.
4. Bake for 30 mins at 350 F. Insert a skewer/toothpick/knife and when it comes out clean, the cake it done.

For glaze:
Beat 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 4 tsp butter. Spread it on the cake.

Vanilla cheesecake topped with strawberries

Method:

For Crust

1. Crumble graham crackers and add 4 tsp melted unsalted butter with 2 tsp sugar. Taste to check the sweetness.
2. Place crust in a baking tray and bake in a pre-heated oven for 5 mins.

For Filling

1. Blend 1 packet cream cheese, 2 large eggs,  and 1/3 can of condensed milk. Taste for sweetness
2. Bake for 20 mins or until done.
3. Cool at room temperature. Chill for 2 hrs in the fridge.
4. Garnish with sliced strawberries

Basic Vanilla cookies

Hat tip to my friend Sonia Dey. I changed the measurements a bit.

Ingredients:
Unsalted butter (I used Strauss European style organic unsalted butter) 4 oz (113 g) or one cube
Good quality vanilla essence - 1 tsp
Sugar to taste (I used 1/3 cup)

Plain flour or maida 1 and 1/3 cups
Baking powder 1 tsp

Method:

1. Whisk the butter (at room temperature) with vanilla essence and sugar.
2. Sift flour and baking powder together. Pour to the butter mix. Mix well. Use a spatula or a dough mixer.
3. Roll the dough into a log. Refrigerate for 2 hrs.
4. Cut the dough into pieces. Place on parchment paper on a cookie tray. Bake for 15-20 mins in preheated oven at  350 F or until the edges are brown. Let them cool at room temperature.
   
   I also tried a second batch with chocolate chips.