Lava Flow Cupcakes by Brandon

Lava Flow Cupcakes
Recipe courtesy of Simply Brandon

Ingredients

• Servings: 24 cupcakes
• 1 box of vanilla cake mix or substitute your own from scratch vanilla cake batter
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 c. oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 c. coconut flakes
• 1 package frozen strawberries (thawed)
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 lime (juice only; lemon is fine also)
• 1 8oz. pkg cream cheese
• 3/4 c. confectioner's sugar (sifted)
• 1/2 t Pina Colada candy flavoring
• 3/4 c. pineapple chunks (drained)
• 1/2 container frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)
• 24 maraschino cherries (w/ stem)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine cake mix, coconut milk, and oil until well blended
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition
4. Fold in 1 c. coconut flakes until just combined
5. Divide equally amongst 24 lined cupcake wells
6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, and cool on a wire rack
7. Slice all strawberries in half (reserve 24 halves for garnish) and place in a saucepan over medium heat with sugar and lime juice. Simmer until strawberries are really soft.
8. Prick each cupcake with the back of a handle of a wooden spoon - all the way to the bottom.
9. Slowly push a cooked strawberry half into each cupcake, and allow to cool
10. For frosting, beat cream cheese until soft and creamy.
11. Add sugar a little at a time until well incorporated.
12. Crush pineapple chunks, reserving 8 chunks for topping
13. Beat or fold in whipped cream (I prefer the abundance or bubbles in my frosting)
14. Frost cupcakes, roll sides in rest of coconut flakes, and top with strawberry slice, and cherry.
15. Slice reserved chunks in thirds and top with other fruits.

Think Pink Cupcake by She's In The Kitchen

What a beautiful pink cupcake.
by Katrina of She's in the Kitchen

I was about to review some submissions for the Daily Pink Cupcake.
Today's overwhelming choice was literally staring me in the face.
This blushing pink cupcake appears as Katrina's Blogger icon.

The recipe for this cupcake is available on Katrina's blog, entitled
"She's In The Kitchen."

Katrina's passion for cooking was ignited during her four (4) year stint in a French Bistro. She describes her cupcakes as "A buttery batter with a tinge of lemon, and cheerful pink frosting sprinkled with whatever fancies you have, it's a lovely way to welcome the New Year." Indeed.
A perfect way to start off the new year--in the PINK!

CUPCAKE

INGREDIENTS

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

zest of one lemon

2 cups King Arthur flour

1 t. baking soda

2 t. baking powder

Pinch of salt

1 c. sour cream

2 T. vanilla (yes)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F.

Grease two Texas size muffin tins .

Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until absorbed.

Add the lemon zest.

Mix in the flour, baking powder and baking soda, and the pinch of salt.

Add the sour cream and mix.

Add the vanilla and mix.

Using an ice cream scoop, add two scoops to each muffin cup.

Bake about 25 minutes, or until tops are somewhat firm to the touch.

Place on cooling rack.
After five minutes, unmold and let cool completely, or the frosting will melt.

FROSTING

INGREDIENTS

From Magnolia Bakery, NYC)

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup milk

6-8 cups confectioner's sugar

2 t. vanilla

Whip in bowl until creamy.

DIRECTIONS
Start with with 6 cups confectioner's sugar, but the frosting wasn't thick enough .
Add more until desired frosting consistency.

Add food coloring to achieve desired shade of pink.
You can also divide the frosting into bowls and make several colors -
just make sure you have enough pastry bags!

Scrape the frosting into a pastry bag, fitted with a star tip.
Squeeze bag, beginning in a circle around the edge of the cupcake,
then circling in until the tope of the cupcake is covered.
Pull up tip, and make a smaller circle of frosting right in the middle of the cupcake.
Decorate as you wish.

Thank you Katrina!

Personalized Cupcake Art by Calobee Doodles

Original Design by
Calobee Doodles

If you're looking for an adorable cupcake art, check out Caroline's Etsy shop.
You'll find custom banners, drawings, and prints of her own artwork.

Contact Caroline if you're looking for custom doodles.
Due to the birth of a new baby, her custom work is on hold,
but her shop has other art work and prints for sale.