PinterTest Kitchen 6: Malibu Cupcakes

Aloha!

We went missing in case you didn't notice.

Missing in Maui.

Post on that forthcoming.

In the meantime, I'm in denial that I'm home.

So I'm baking with tropical booze.

 

I pinned these a while back.

And they were calling my name.

In honor of our week in island paradise.

And my back-to-reality denial.

I made a few adjustments, based on the comments under the original post.

And my new need to add sour cream to every cake batter I prepare.

I also doubled the recipe because as it was, it only yielded 14 cupcakes.

Which is an unacceptable quantity for these tasty, tropical treats.

They are a big, huge Aloha win.

Ono.  Hawaiian for delicious.

And fish.

Which has nothing to do with delicious.

Silly Hawaiians.

OK, ready?

First of all, the recipe calls for 155 ingredients.

But I tell you it is worth it.

Pretend there is sour cream there, too.

I added it later.

For the cupcakes you'll need:

2 sticks, salted butter, melted and cooled

2/3 cup pineapple juice

4 tbsp Malibu rum

2 tsp vanilla

6 eggs

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

.5 tsp salt

1/2 cup sour cream

zest from one lime

1 cup crushed pineapple

1 cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350.  Line cupcake pan.

Beat together melted butter, pineapple juice, Malibu rum and vanilla.

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until blended.

In separate bowl, blend flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients to wet, gradually.

Add sour cream and lime zest.

Fold in pineapple and coconut.

Fill liners 3/4 of the way and bake 20-22 minutes.

While cupcakes are still warm top with

Malibu Syrup:

1/2 c sugar

1/4 c water

2 tbsp Malibu rum

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp butter

Bring sugar and water to boil over medium heat.

After 2 minutes, add Malibu rum, vanilla and butter.

Let cook 3-5 minutes more until syrupy.

Lightly glaze tops of cupcakes with syrup.

Frosting time!

Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick butter

8 oz cream cheese

2 cups powdered sugar

juice and zest of one lime

1 tsp Malibu rum or vanilla

Combine all ingredients, except powdered sugar.

Add powdered sugar gradually to reach desired sweetness and consistency.

100% Delicious.

100% Ono.

Can't recommend them enough.

Your turn.

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Love: A Valentine's Day Recap

In years past, it's always been about us.

Dave and I.

Making plans.

Making reservations.

And scrambling to find the last available sitter.

This year was different.

An outpouring from our hearts that reflects Who we love and serve.

An emphasis placed on what matters.

During church service on Sunday we spent some time praying for these precious women.

Women who have seen their Valentine go to be with Jesus.

Far right is my grandmother.

After service, we visited a local nursing home.

Hope Kids passed out flowers and handmade Valentine's.

And gave treats to the nursing staff.

Ashlyn wished ever single resident, asleep and awake:

"Happy Bahhh-lentine's Day!"

KK diligently prepared Valentine's for her classmates.

"Fun Dip for the girls because they are fun."

"Nerds for the boys because, well, you know..."

I kind of hope she always thinks that way.

And stays little forever.

My friend hosted a party for the kids on Tuesday.

Shirt and cookie decorating.

Red and pink food and treats.

So sweet and thoughtful.

Thank you, Carrie!

This Valentine's Day I was reminded that Christian love is about sacrifice.

We've been given so much.

We've no choice but to give back.

It's not enough to have the right words.

Or perfect behavior.

But we must LOVE.

And care for God's people.

In word AND deed.

I plead with Jesus on a daily basis for compassionate hearts in my children.

And I know they learn by watching me.

So I am continually challenged to live accordingly.

To find creative ways to show God's love to God's people.

On and around February 14th.

And other days, too.

10 on 10: February 2012

Blogging.  In the dark.  With ice water.  Very standard.

Ashlyn had a Valentine's Day Party at school yesterday.

Ashlyn also had a mini panic attack on the front stoop because she forgot Play-Doh for her speech therapist.

I'm sure Rachel was super relieved she was not left out.

A $43 Starbucks date with a friend.

I dislike Burlingame parking meters.

I dislike them more when I forget about them.

As if you're not rich enough, City of Burlingame?

Groceries.

Lots.

My lunch.

Frozen raspberries and peaches.

A banana.

Spinach.  You can't taste it.  Promise.

Flax Seed.

Coconut Almond Milk.

One Packet Tangerine Emergen-C.

Weird?  Yes.  Good?  Yes.

$1.99 at the grocery store = balloon artist in training.

And hundreds of requests that I adjust the balloon to fit over the puffer thing.

Which I'm sure has a technical term.

After school iPad, cartoon and cereal time.  Pantless for one.  Also, standard.

Overseeing Taco Friday prep.

Trying to decide if she does, in fact, like meat.

She doesn't.

Opening their Valentine's from Nan and Pops.

They play music.

Well Ashlyn's did.

Until she ripped out the music box.

We call her The Beast for a reason.

The Office nightcap.

Stuck on the couch.

Because it takes me 15 minutes to get up.

Thanks, Crossfit.

Do you like my new Target slippers?

All comfort.  Zero cute.

In case there was need for clarification.

Whelp.

That was our exciting 10th day of the month.

How was yours?

InstaFriday: January Recap, 10 Days Late

This month I'm participating in two photo-a-day challenges on Instagram.

Because obviously my life is not crazy enough.

I feel the need to drive around in a frenzy looking for mailboxes and front doors to take pictures of before the sun sets.

Yesterday's challenge was my favorite so far.

Because what doesn't scream romance more than a 90s mix tape?

Last month I participated in just one.

And I've been meaning to post my recap.

But crafting in Kansas wrecks you.

I'm just now recovered.

Just in time to participate in my first ever Crossfit work-out.

Now I'm a little bit wrecked again.

Which I guess is good.

It probably didn't help that Ashlyn was sitting on my back during the push-up circuit.

Anyway, back to the pictures.

Here was January's challenge:

 

And my response:

See?  Cute.  Fun.  AND I took a picture a day.  Which is kind of an accomplishment in itself.

If you're weird and like to take pictures of mailboxes.

Happy Friday, friends!

PinterTest Kitchen 5: Chocolate Cherry Valentine Bark

Dave and I started dating on Valentine's Day, 1993.

Well, for the first time.

The early 90's were a tumultuous time for us.

Summer camps.

Other girls.

Other guys.

Meddling friends.

Meddling parents.

Meddling youth group leaders.

The problem was never with us.

Obviously.

 

I came across my diaries when we moved last April and couldn't help but chuckle.

September 5, 1992

"Yesterday was the best day of my life!!!  Dave transferred into my algebra class."

March 29, 1993

"Me and Dave are going out!!!!  It's been about 1 1/2 months now.  February 14 was the best day of my life!"

July 3, 1993

"We got in a really big fight at Hume Lake and broke up.  It was the worst week of my life."

I had problems, clearly.

 

You know what doesn't have problems?

This.

Delish.

100% Pintertest approved.

 Let's walk through it together, ok?

Super easy.

You don't even have to turn on your oven.

 

You'll need:

3 bags Pink Wilton candy melts

3 bags chocolate chips

Wilton cherry candy flavoring

Cherry M & M's

assorted Valentine's sprinkles

----------------

First, line large baking sheet.

I just discovered Reynold's Pan Lining Paper.

A foil parchment heavily fusion.

Get some.

Next, melt 3 bags chocolate chips as per microwave instructions on back of bag.

Spread melted chocolate onto lined pan and let set in fridge for about 30 minutes.

On to the pink candy melts.

Melt three bags as per microwave instructions on back of the bag.

Add about 1 tsp. cherry candy flavoring and stir into melted candy.

Spread on top of chilled chocolate.

Quickly sprinkle with chocolate cherry m & m's (I found mine at Target) and pink and red sprinkles.

Let chill in fridge for another 60 minutes.

Break into pieces and you're done.

Make some for your Valentine.

It will be the best day of their life.

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