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 :-)

Coconut Custard Pie with Malibu Rum

Need an easy, not-too-sweet but WOW pie for your Thanksgiving desserts table?  This coconut custard pie with Malibu Rum will fit nicely among the standard holiday favorites.  Super easy to make, lots and lots of coconut, light on the custard part, and delicately favored with lemon and coconut-flavored rum.  Fabulous, too, as you can make this pie ahead of time to reduce the inevitable Thanksgiving Day stress.  

I grew up with coconut custard pie.  I think when I was very young, my mom probably made it from scratch.  As we all grew up and time was less available to bake, she likely used the Jell-o brand custard mix with coconut.  And, very likely a frozen pie crust was involved.  

Needless-to-say, I'm not a fan of frozen pie crusts...I might opt for the Jell-o custard mix, in a pinch.  However, with as much baking as I do, making a pie crust from scratch is a whole lot easier and a whole lot less expensive.  Plus, the more I practice the better my crusts have become.  This filling requires no cooking on the stove, so what's not to like?! 

If you like coconut, you'll LOVE this pie!  And, as you may have experienced in your own life as well, people are either Coconut Lovers or Coconut Haters.  

I feel a kindred spirit with the former and a great deal of sadness for the latter.   

I 'get it'...It's a texture thing, right?

This pie is chocked full of coconut and not drowning in custard.  The Malibu Rum is subtle and adds a nice depth to the filling.  All-in-all, a great combination!

A fabulous and easy-to-make addition to your festive Thanksgiving desserts table...Or, to any table for that matter:  Coconut Custard Pie with Malibu Rum.


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Coconut Daiquiri Cupcakes

If you love coconut and rum, these cupcakes are your Easter celebration E-Ticket!

I've REALLY wanted to make a coconut rum cupcake for a while since starting this blog.  I think I found a great combination of flavors and textures with this cupcake.  The cake is super moist, full of flavor, and the frosting is not too sweet.  This cupcake is a buttermilk coconut lime cake as the base with luscious coconut rum cream cheese frosting.  And, this is a recipe for a coconut daiquiri if you are so inclined...Coconut and lime?  Yes!

The coconut, sprinkles and Cadbury mini eggs are supposed to be my attempt to make them look like an Easter basket.  Again, more the "homey" feel here folks.  This is why imagination is still so important in life! 

This cupcake uses two kinds of rum: Malibu Coconut Rum and Myers Dark Rum.  Malibu is new to me and I discovered it's a combination of rum and coconut liqueur.  Very yummy, clear, and makes a FABULOUS addition to any daiquiri.  Myers is becoming my "rum of choice" for baking.  I think it has a really mellow and full flavor that hold up to baking.  All is good in the land of rum at BIWB!

And, I do have to mention my addiction to Cadbury mini eggs...I buy them every year.  I don't have childrens' baskets to fill.  I buy at least 3 bags.  I don't share them.  I consume one bag during the holiday and leave the other 2 bags in the fridge.  Yes, I hoard them.  I'm a Cadbury mini egg hoarder.  No, I don't need an intervention.  Please leave me alone with my Cadbury mini eggs.  Please. 

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Carrot Rum Cupcakes with Coconut Rum Cream Cheese Frosting

 I've wanted to make a booze-infused goodie using one of the cake mixes I have squirreled away in my cupboard.  I generally don't get a chance to use mixes much anymore, but I'm a fan of their great flavor, ease of use, consistent results, texture, and adaptability.  They are the foundation of my Kahlua Cake and Jacqueline's Chocolate Orange Cupcakes.  So, here is my first attempt to take a basic box cake mix and add some booze.  EASY!  I think the result is one of my favorites.  And, this frosting is a coconut lover's dream!

Piña Colada Cupcakes

Okay, so let's get this right out there: 

(1) IMO, these are the BEST cupcakes I've made so far in this project.  I can say that...

(2) I do not like the Piña Colada cocktail variety of this food.  Even a 2nd sip didn't do the trick.

(3) A co-worker, who shall remain nameless, stated, "I ate the whole thing and didn't share...Is that rude?  I don't even care."  And...



Gratuitous Shot of the Little Darling...All Dressed up in Her Pretty Pink Parasol. 



(4) We love Kevin.   

I made these last weekend in a cupcake-baking-frenzy, for what reason I have no idea.  I haven't posted in a while and really wanted to try something cocktail in theme.  Found this recipe via The Cupcake Project, a site that by description pretty much tells the story.  Currently, Stef is in search of the best vanilla cupcake recipe.  I have high hopes for her as she's provided me with great recipes and lots of great ideas.  This time I'm going to post my version of her Piña Colada Cupcake recipe.  I made some modifications which I think added a lot of moisture and yummo-factor.  At BIWB, we're always researching baking techniques and ingredients of master bakers.  When we "crack" a secret baking code, we feel pretty damn cocky.  Of course, being girls, our cocky attitudes are always exercised with great social decorum.