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 :-)

Rummy Hummingbird Cake

Today, I made a birthday cake for all the September Babies in my life!  My version of an old Southern favorite the Hummingbird Cake.  If you've never had this cake, you really should try it.  It's easy to make, real comfort food and super delish.  This cake really holds up to frosting and the cake is moist (bananas and pineapple) and full of flavor (cinnamon and rum). 

I think of this cake as:

(Carrot cake - carrots) + bananas = YUM!

Best parts, though, IMO are the rum and that it has THREE layers!  I also added rum to the cream cheese frosting to give it just that right amount of mellow rum kick.  :) 

Happy Birthday!

This recipe is adapted from a cookbook by Art Smith, who was Oprah's chef...As we all know, I'm not a fan of Oprah (that would take a few blogs to explain...), but hey, regardless this-guy-can-cook! 

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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. 

Pineapple Upside-down Cake

Once upon a time, I embarked on a quest to find the perfect pineapple upside-down cake recipe. Why? I wanted to impress a boy, and this was his favorite dessert. What I didn't know was that this boy had very poor taste and actually preferred the processed and pre-packaged versions of "the real thing." For example, he often spoke of his love for macaroni and cheese, so one day I surprised him with homemade macaroni and cheese - the kind you bake in a casserole dish, with several kinds of cheese, replete with Ritz crackers crumbled on top - served with warm applesauce. His favorite, right? He took one bite, and said, "This is delicious!" (yes!) "What IS this?" (what??!) and, "ew, WARM applesauce?!" (whaaat?!!) Same story with the pineapple upside down cake - apparently it involves yellow cake mix. Not that I have anything against yellow cake mix; I'm actually quite fond of it - but I wanted to learn how to make a REAL pineapple upside-down cake, from scratch. With booze! I tried out three or four recipes before settling on one that really turned out great, with a few tweaks. The boy didn't work out, but the cake sure did.