Sugartown Sweets: May 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Dreamy Coconut Cupcakes

Ahhh...Dreamy Coconut Cupcakes

I needed a pretty, *swirled with frosting* cupcake for my blog, and this.. is definitely it!

I can't believe I didn't even know there was a coconut flavored cake mix until a couple of weeks ago when a friend told me about it!

So, I bought a few boxes and today I'm baking some yummy cupcakes topped with
(a wink and) a *swirl*
of dreamy deliciousness.

Ingredients for the cupcakes are:

Duncan Hines Coconut Supreme cake mix

Canola Oil

Eggs

Coconut Milk

Coconut Extract

Mounds (optional)
Coconut Syrup ~to be spread on warm, baked cupcake

Measure 1/3 cup oil~pour into mixing bowl

Add 3 eggs~

2 teaspoons Coconut extract~

1 1/3 cups coconut milk~mix according to cake box instructions

Place cupcake liners into cupcake tins~I used the ruffled edge & regular liners..i just couldn't decide which ones i liked better~

I use my Pampered Chef ice cream scoop to measure out the batter ~

Here's the optional part!

Mmmm..Mounds~love 'em :o)

I used the snack size & cut them in half~

Just press them down into the center of the cupcake batter & bake @ 350 degrees
for 18-20 minutes.

Don't overbake. Check them after 18 minutes. Lightly press the center of the cupcake, if it springs back, they are done.

Coconut Cupcakes
1 box Duncan Hines Coconut Supreme
Cake mix
1/3 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups coconut milk
2 teaspoons coconut extract
Mix all ingredients for 30 seconds till moistened.
Then mix on medium for 2 minutes.
Next, place mounds into center of each cupcake.
Bake 18-20 minutes @ 350 degrees.
Don't overbake.
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I bought this syrup on our vacation last year.
Our favorite breakfast restaurant, Red Salt, served it with Banana Pancakes.. delicious. So I thought it would be perfect on these cupcakes as well! I was happy to see this delish syrup can also be purchased online at Amazon.com.!

While the cupcakes are still warm, spread about a 1/2 teaspoon on the tops..yummm.

Love~Love~Love

While these are cooling, you can whip up this Awesome Coconut Frosting..

Dreamy Coconut Frosting

2 sticks salted butter (softened)

1 cup marshmallow creme

1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract

2 tablespoons coconut milk

5 cups confectioners sugar

Cream the butter,

add marshmallow creme,

the coconut milk,

and the flavoring, mixing well.

Add the confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time,
mixing till light and fluffy.

And there you have it!

Pure Dreaminess!

Would you make these with or without the Mounds?
I think..i like these better without!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
Happy & Dreamy Baking
from
Sugartown Sweets!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Mother's Day Funprint Cookie Pops!

Fingerprint Fun!
Do you need a last minute Mother's Day Treat?...
..or, just a sweet~anytime~fun craft!

These Funprint Cookie Pops

are made with your child's

(or, as in my case, grandchildren's)

very own fingerprints!

And..here is the wonderful book with all the fabulous ideas!

My mother-in-law gave this book to me, written by Ed Emberly late last year. I just couldn't wait to do some crafts with my grandbabies, I just never got around to it. And now, I find the perfect opportunity...

Mother's Day!

I had thought about making these cookies awhile back..just didn't know what y'all would think about fingers in your food. Then, a few days ago, I saw an amazing idea over at Hungry Happenings! I loved the handprint in the edible stone. I knew then I had to get my little helpers into the kitchen. These are so much fun..and a great surprise for Mom or Grandma. Yay!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Begin with your favorite roll out sugar cookie dough.

I used this recipe (sans the food color).

You'll need a rolling pin, cookie sticks, round cookie cutter, flour for dusting, parchment paper, fondant, light corn syrup, icing colors, food writing pens & a paintbrush.

Roll out your cookie dough..

Cut out your circles..I know I must seem crazy..because I only cut out one or two cookies at a time. That's just the only way I can do it. ;0)

I'm using my little brownie spatula to lift the cookies onto my parchment covered baking sheet.

Insert the cookie sticks into the cookies about halfway. I then smooth out the top of the cookie in case the stick has raised it up a little.

Bake on 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes.

Let your cookies cool completely before decorating.

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Here is my beat up box of fondant.

If you've never used fondant, this is what it looks like straight out of the package. I've never made my own ..I just don't use it much (yet) and this is so convenient.

Break off a piece...

..and knead it in your hands till smooth.

I use a fondant roller and since I roll it out on parchment paper, I don't need cornstarch which also ensures I can re-roll my *scrap* pieces as they don't dry out as quickly. Cut the fondant with the same size cookie cutter you used for the cookies.

Karo syrup..

Lightly paint your cookie pop with the syrup. Do not paint all the way to the edge as the cookies will spread a little when baking. If you do, you will have sticky edged cookies..like i did. :o)

I lift the fondant circles with my little spatula and place them right on the cookies.

So Easy. So Pretty.

Let these set up at least a couple of hours. The fondant will be too soft to decorate right away.

I found my four sweet little crafters. If Mommy sees this, she'll know what she's getting for Mother's Day. ;0)

I used a paintbrush to paint their little fingertips and thumbs. You could also put the paint colors into a paper plate & press their fingers into it.

You can then let them (or yourself) use the foodwriters to complete their artwork.

Here's our first finished cookie pop!