Thursday, April 16, 2009

A letter of apology

Dear Coconut,

I'm sorry for all of the horrible things I've said about you over the years. When I said I didn't like you, I was young and naive and didn't understand your complexities and sophistication. I have seen the error of my ways. I have renounced my childish ways and vow to never slander your good name from here on out. I now see that I can no longer deny you attention in my kitchen, especially because you are such dear friends with my long time love, dark chocolate. Can you ever forgive me, coconut? Is here hope for us, yet?



DARK CHOCOLATE CHIP COCONUT CUPCAKES


This Dark Chocolate cupcake batter OR the following:

1 box of dark chocolate fudge cake mix (and ingredients to make it)
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBS cocoa

Either make the batter I have linked or mix the cake mix, ingredients listed on the box, chocolate chips, vanilla and cocoa. Mix for 2 minutes. Line muffin cups with cupcake liners. Fill liners 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely.

1 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups shredded sweetened coconut


In a small saucepan, heat coconut milk to a simmer and stir constantly. Reduce coconut milk by half. Set aside and let cool. With your whipping attachment, whip butter. Add vanilla. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with cooled coconut milk. When combined, whip for 3-4 minutes on high. If frosting is too soft to pipe, add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at at time until right consistency is reached. If too stiff, add 1 TBS milk until reached.

Pipe onto cupcakes and take handfuls of coconut and press into still wet, soft frosting. Allow a few minutes for frosting to set, serve, and take back everything you ever said about coconut.



8 comments:

Snooky doodle said...

oh these look delicious! coconut and chocolate are some of my favourite flavour combination. These look so nice too :)

Sara Walker said...

Oh, I'm so glad that you'd seen the light and come over to the dark side. I love coconut!! I'll be expecting a plate of these on my door step soon...

Anonymous said...

Vanessa,

Coconut here. I'm not ready to make up yet. Anything you make with me should immediately be relinquished to your husband for proper disposal. Coconut Out.

Natalee said...

I never knew Coconut was so bitter!

Vanessa Contessa said...

Coconut,

You cut me to the core, and after I totally put myself out there! I don't know if we can ever get pass this...

Devyn said...

I can speak on behalf of Coconut, seeing as how we've been life long friends. Coconut forgives you whole-heartedly.

amylouwhosews said...

um, i just want one of those cupcakes.

While you are getting over coconut - get to Golden Spoon and have their Mounds flavored yogurt. oh boy.

Unknown said...

i never had coconut until i was in high school! steve and i were dating and since i'm hawaiian, he assumed i loved coconut??? learning that i'd never tasted it, he "forced" me to have an almond joy and asked his mom to make me some macaroons. needless to say, coconut and i are now friends as well :)