put the lime in the coconut cupcakes

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So, once again I’ve stolen a recipe (and post) from Mel, but I did modify it a bit. I have now made this twice (both times in Las Vegas because Justin and Cherity like coconut as much as I do); once as a regular cake (in a 9×13 inch pan with no layering or anything) and once as cupcakes. Both were delicious. The pics, obviously, are the cupcakes and should explain what I did. The only modification that won’t be shown in the pictures is the bake time…which I just got from looking at a box mix. This recipe makes 24 cupcakes…except you can half the glaze.

Cake: (don’t you dare use a coconut flavored box mix. The cake is A-MAZING and not too time consuming to make from scratch.)

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup coconut milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans.

In an electric mixer or using a hand beater, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add coconut extract and eggs 1 at a time. In a mixing bowl or on a sheet of parchment paper, combine flour, salt, baking soda and powder. To mixer add coconut milk and flour to creamed mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 25 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool 10 minutes then turn out of pans onto rack(s) over a sheet pan and allow to cool completely.My little scraper cleaner!

Lime Glaze

  • 1 cup sour cream or yogurt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 limes, zested and juiced
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

In a medium bowl combine sour cream or yogurt, sugar, lime zest and juice, coconut milk, shredded coconut. With a bamboo skewer, poke holes in cake and spread glaze on both sides of both cakes. Cover with plastic wrap, chill until ready to frost cake.


Icing: (if you’re making an actual layer cake, you may need all of the icing this recipe calls for. If you’re just going to frost the top of the cake, 1/2 or even 1/4 of this amount will be enough.)

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 pound box plus 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups shredded coconut

In an electric mixer or using a hand mixer beat together the butter and cream cheese until well blended and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar gradually at low speed. Beat in coconut milk and vanilla. Frost cake. Coat top and sides with shredded coconut.

a new toy

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I got back to Arizona yesterday and so it’s back to the life of a busy nanny; one who is also taking two online classes and working for an online social network. My sister and brother-in-law are very appreciative and I really am happy to help them out, but apparently they thought a little advanced “thank you” gift might help my enthusiasm when it comes to getting up at the crack dawn with their little munchkin. They knew that I was hoping to get an iPhone at the end of the summer, so they decided to beat me to it.

Yes, they bought me an iPhone! I was in shock. I still am. And truthfully, I probably wouldn’t have purchased one. I probably would’ve settled for a Blackberry. I know, I know, a Blackberry isn’t exactly ‘settling’, but I really, really wanted an iPhone…and now I have one and I’m posting this from it, which is in fact making the fact that I’m awake at 7:30 am on a Saturday much easier. My family is seriously rad (and not just because they buy me cool things).

And as soon as I get a chance to get on my computer where I have pictures, I’ll post all about my week in Vegas…where I was also quite spoiled.

garlic and sapphires: the secret life of a critic in disguise

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I just finished this great book (yes, I still read even though I’m addicted to Lost…sometimes my eyes start to hurt from staring at a screen for so long and I need a break). It’s the story of Ruth Reichl, former food critic of the New York Times, and her wonderful adventures. It includes her own story, along with fabulous restaurant reviews, and some recipes (rather than illustrations) that I am very excited to try out.

My fabulous friend, Kelly, sent it to me after she read it because she thought I’d like it. She was absolutely right. The descriptions in this book are like porn for a foodie. Not only that, but one of her disguises is named Chloe. It happens to be her most tawdry character. The irony was too funny.

Anyway, as I said, the book chronicles her experiences dining at amazing upscale restaurants throughout New York, both in disguise and as herself, and highlights the differences in service and quality. Her descriptions of food had me salivating constantly. I just wish I had the budget to eat at all of the fabulous restaurants (not the crappy ones…and there are a few) that she mentions. Not only that, but I learned a lot, like I didn’t know (and this is embarrassing to admit) that when you eat nigiri (raw fish on rice), it’s an insult to dip the rice into soy sauce, or that soba noodles are traditionally served cold and extremely difficult to make well. I also had to look up some of the ingredients listed because they were unfamiliar. I love learning new things!

If you’re not into food, it might not be the most interesting book (although I think it is very well written), but I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone who is.

lost…

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If you’re wondering why I haven’t been posting lately, it’s a combination of things. First of all, I no longer sit in front of a computer all day, nor do I have convenient internet access. Well, it’s okay in AZ since my sister has wireless, but I’m currently in Vegas…where they have a normal wired connection. I’m also very busy hanging out with my adorable nieces and nephews. Not to mention that I do have a job and two classes that I have to complete before July 1.

But the main reason you aren’t finding new posts here: LOST. I am totally and completely addicted. Before two weeks ago, I had not seen even one episode of the show. But, for his birthday, my older brother got seasons 1-3 on DVD and the night he got it, he made me watch the pilot. I was totally hooked from the first episode. Thankfully, he has been kind enough to let me borrow them. This means that all my free time (the little I have…ha ha ha) is spent in front of the television (or my laptop late at night when I should be sleeping) watching this totally addictive TV show.

To be honest, I’m a little embarrassed, but it’s the truth. Anyway…if you watch the show, I’m sure you understand what I’m talking about. If you don’t, you probably shouldn’t start if you have any kind of addictive tendencies. It’s taking over my life.

I am only halfway through season 2, so I won’t be watching the season finale on Thursday. I have to do things in order. But for those of you who are totally into it and have been watching it on TV, I hope the season finale is RAD! The good news is that I won’t have to wait until season 4 comes out on DVD since my sister-in-law has all of the episodes recorded. Yes, DVR/Tivo does change lives. I don’t have it, but I’m glad so many out there do so that I can benefit from it.

dear you…inspired by an 8th grade graduation

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Dear J.,

I can’t believe my little buddy is fourteen and going to be in high school next year. I remember when you were born like it was yesterday. You were such a sweet little boy, and have managed to keep that same sweet disposition as you have gotten older. Yes, totally cliche and cheezy, but aunts get to be cliche and cheezy. I am so proud of what a cool kid you have turned out to be. And it was really fun to see you graduate tonight.

Congratulations on your math award, as well. Admittedly, A. and I were joking, as the teacher was talking about the award winning student, that the kid must be a total braniac who sets the curves in classes making other kids both angry and jealous. We were both so excited it was you. I love that you are such an awesome combination of personality and qualities; managing to be kind, cool, funny, and smart all at the same time. I wonder where you get that from???

Love,

Chloe (your super proud aunt who can’t wait to see what you end up doing in the future)

P.S. I hope you know I was joking when I asked you about your “nerd medal”. I think it’s totally rad.

Dear teacher who was chosen to speak,

Dude, you know when you started out with the whole, “everybody’s worried because I’m so long-winded” joke? Yeah, you should have just made it a warning. This was an 8th grade promotion (not even called graduation) and yet you seemed to have mistakenly thought that it was an evening dedicated to you with how much time you took. Or perhaps you thought you were speaking at a college commencement. Here’s the thing, you were speaking to 8th graders who were in there last moments of elementary (it’s a K-8) school. Seriously? Three stories? Each lasting 10 minutes? And then a summary before the final unifying conclusion? And all three stories were about you and your life?

Next time, use the student speakers as your example; two minutes max, with a funny quote. I’m sorry, but you were just not entertaining enough to take up thirty minutes of an 8th grade graduation.

Sincerely,

A girl who cannot believe that her nephew’s graduation lasted two hours

Dear parents of girls who were dressed like total skanks,

I’m really hoping that you didn’t know ahead of time what your daughters were going to be wearing because…WOW. But my guess is, not only did you know, but you also coughed up the cash (or credit) to pay for the itty-bitty pieces of fabric your daughters were passing off as dresses. Holy cow! I was uncomfortable for them.

Sincerely,

A girl who is terrified of having a teenage daughter

P.S. My sister-in-law told me some of the nicknames your daughters have been given. You might want to check that stuff out.

Dear Sri Lankan student speaker,

You were hilarious! I loved that you gave your whole speech with an accent when you don’t have one. So, so funny. Thanks for the comic relief after the long, long speech of Mr. I Can’t Remember His Last Name.

With lots of laughter,

Chloe

To whomever made the program schedule,

A few thoughts. First, an hour is about how long an 8th grade promotion should last. Second, referring to the first, give your speakers TIME LIMITS. Third, the walking part should really be done at the end. That’s when everyone is expecting it to end. The slide show was cute, but really, it could have happened before the walking. Or better still, in the cafeteria during the reception. And finally, seriously you need a little red light for when your speakers go over their time. Oh…and ixnay on the double introductions. Just let people introduce themselves or have someone introduce them, but don’t do both.

With complete knowledge of how obnoxious I can be with all of my thoughts and advice,

Chloe