Better than Pina Coladas Cake

Better Than Pina Coladas Cake

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Last weekend, I visited my sister at school in LA. I'm still having trouble processing the fact that she is a senior, and in the middle of her LAST semester of college - because I feel like that makes me old. I've definitely been feeling old as of late. A couple weeks ago, the perfect storm of work stress, not sleeping, and winter weather combined into an overwhelming maelstrom and prompted me to get online and buy plane tickets. I think it was about 2 a.m. - I realized I really just needed a change of scenery - ASAP! As I clicked through travel blogs, gazing at pictures of palm trees and and singing to myself ("bring me two pina coladas - I want one for each hand. Let's set sail with Captain Morgan, though we'll never leave dry land") my plan came together: I definitely needed a change of scenery, fast. Preferably, beachy scenery accompanied by warmer weather and good company, and what better company than my sister??!

Troubles? I forgot 'em. I buried them in the sand.

We didn't have any pina coladas, but I had a great time touring her campus, seeing her college friends and meeting some new ones (not to mention completely freaking out a few that I'd never met before, who weren't quite sure for a minute which girl was their friend, and which one was the creepy clone/pod person...we kinda look alike), swapping funny stories about dorm life and sleepwalking, enjoying wonderful food, and soaking up sun on the beach. So much better than pina coladas! I think Ellen would agree :-)

Cheddar Mustard Beer Bread

I always say that, "I can't make bread to save my life!"  Thank goodness there is a Nugget Market close by...But, after last weekend, I sure can make BEER bread!  I changed things up a bit and switched my usual BIWB emphasis on the sweet for something comforting and savory.  I had some homemade bean soup just waiting for this particular companion. 

Really crunchy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside...Are you salivating?  A great match and a great loaf of bread!  Easy, too.  I love easy.

I'll be honest, I made this last weekend in a bit of pent-up baking frenzy.  I also made killer chocolate creme de menthe cupcakes, too, for a St. Patty's Day post. You see, I thought I was giving back my loaner KitchenAid, but it turns out my friend won't take it back.  Thank you, again, Peggy for your kindness and understanding of my addiction.  My KA is still in Michigan.  I haven't heard anything and I'm honestly very worried. 

So, when I worry, I bake!

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Blackberry wine & chocolate olive oil cupcakes

We love to Bake It With Booze, and we love to see what other bakers create. We highly recommend that you go check out The Domestic Rebel's new boozey creation: Blackberry wine & chocolate olive oil cupcakes. 

Sweet <3

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Peppermint Patty Cake

Peppermint and Chocolate and Coffee...How bad can that be?

In just a few days, it will be Valentine's Day.  I'll be honest, it's my least favorite holiday.  I know, it's ~really~ not about hearts and flowers and being someone's special all-important valentine.  Yeah, right!  My friend, Melanie, has tried to convince me for years that the holiday is more about honoring the ones we love, family and friends, not just the romance part of the holiday.  As I said, "Yeah, right!"  So, in honor of my friends and family who love me anyway, I made this Peppermint Patty Cake. 
  

This cake is based on a potato cake recipe from my Aunt Barbara.  Again, a recipe written by-hand on a little card and old, old, old.  We think it may have been my Grandmother's recipe.  It calls for mashed potatoes and cocoa.  The original recipe also called for other spices, but I focused on the peppermint and chocolate combination.  Moist and full of chocolate flavor, I'm pretty proud of this one!  I will say, too, this peppermint frosting was lick-the-bowl-clean frosting.  It is that good.

And, I did a bit of research on the Peanuts character, Peppermint Patty, from whom I stole this name...I grew up with Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty.  I had forgotten that she was created in the era of women's lib and the Equal Right Amendment.  More interestingly, I also remembered her great crush on Chuck, as she called Charlie.  Unrequited love as I recall.  Something about Chuck being all confused with what to do with a girl that actually liked him...Maybe she was just too strong for Chuck...Something I can relate to...I just don't know.  

So, to all those strong women out there and for all the men beside them, Happy Valentine's Day!

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Amaretto and Irish Coffee Truffles

Amaretto and Irish Coffee truffles - deceptively easy idea for Valentine's Day, or just because <3

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Happy (almost) Valentine's Day! I'd hoped to get this post up much sooner, but this past week got the better of me and in those precious hours that I'm not working or commuting, I've become rather computer-averse! The good news is, these truffles are really, truly easy. They require minimal planning ahead (which is great if, like me, you're grocery shopping-averse) and would make a fabulous last minute surprise if you're feeling so inclined.

Lemon Drop Cupcakes

  















   
     These bright, cheerful lemon drop cupcakes are like a little bit of sunshine - with a little bit of booze. Although we've enjoyed lots of unseasonably sunny weather this January, it looks like the winter weather has finally caught up with us. These cupcakes are a fun way to make use of the beautiful lemons that are in season right now.

Limoncello-Lemon Upside Down Cake

Your Daily Dose of Vitamin C in a Cake!

Lemons are every where right now, on the trees, in stores, in cocktails, and on baking blogs.  This recipe comes from two sources: Nestle® and A Girl and Her Fork, a fellow Sactown blogger.  I used the basis for the cake from the Nestle® pound cake recipe and the upside down part from inspiration from AGAHF's recent post for Meyer Lemon Upside Down Cake.  This cake was moist and lemony.  I liked the punch of the Limoncello which added a depth of flavor to the lemons on the top.  This was my go-to breakfast all week.