Have you seen this blue box?
I rarely bake anything from a mix ~ exception being brownies. These I sometimes gussy up with a layer of Grand Marnier flavored orange butter cream topped with melted chocolate ~ a great party take along, everyone loves them!
I love Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) cookbooks and when I saw these coconut cupcakes with her name, and as they were on special, I decided what the heck, give 'em a try. I haven't made cupcakes in years and they do seem to be in vogue right now. I especially liked how she included a little note on the box telling you what NOT to leave the shop without in order to be ready to bake when the call came.
Quite easy to pull together - supposed to make ten, I got eleven good size cakes, and the amount of cream cheese frosting and coconut was very generous. They baked up a pretty pale gold and flat on top so easy to frost when cool.
Bottom line - the first day when just baked, OK but not fantastic, still crispy around the edges, somewhat crumbly - dh wasn't too keen. Second day, much better, cake more moist and coconut flavor more developed.....................and today, third day, really great - richer tasting and we split one for dessert because all this taste testing was putting me on a guilt trip! I've put a few in the freezer so see how they fare. I would recommend keeping this blue box on the shelf for a quick sweet treat ~ but try to bake a least a day before you plan to eat for the most enjoyment.
Christmas baking coming up soon. Being English, I have to bake traditional mince pies with a glob of rich rum butter plonked on top while still warm, yummy! My cookies are always ginger krinkles and almond slices. If you bake, what glorious concoctions come from your kitchen?
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I haven't seen that blue box. I would like to find it.
ReplyDeleteI love coconut!!
Rosemary
I haven't seen that blue box. I would like to find it.
ReplyDeleteI love coconut!!
Rosemary
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI have seen the blue box, but never considered buying it because of the price. Plus I usually dislike yellow cake mix, just tastes artificial to me, but I would trust Ina would come up with a good product.
Janet
Can't get that here, plus my husband doesn't like coconut. I bake a fruit cake-without citrus peel-and brownies. I don't do that much baking anymore mainly because I will most of it if I do.
ReplyDeleteOOOHHHHHH!! I am another HUGE fan of Ina Garten! I quite often make these coconut cupcakes, but sometimes I'll bake them as 2 cakes, or as one massive cake which is my husband's favourite. I've never tried her packaged items though, but all her recipes always turn out wonderfully I think!
ReplyDeleteAmanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
I don't care for coconut, but I would take some of those brownies. Orange butter cream with Grand Marnier - to die for!
ReplyDeleteJulie
I haven't seen the blue box, but will keep an eye out for it! The cupcakes look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI make a trifle, I call Death by Chocolate. It's that special dessert, expected by everyone in our family. Brownies, chocolate pudding, mixed with whipped topping, crumbled Heath bars, layered, more whipped topping and cheeries or strawberries on top. Yum!
Pat
They look so good. I have never seen that blue box, but I will have to start looking.
ReplyDeleteThe cupcakes look really scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteI like to bake ginger snaps (really, they aren't "snaps," because they are soft and chewy rather than crunchy), and shortbread stars dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
P.S., Mary,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to reply to you that I have Dee Hardie's "Hollyhocks and Lambs" book and have read and re-read it. Someone told me she did write another book but I have never seen it.
Julie
P.S., Mary,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to reply to you that I have Dee Hardie's "Hollyhocks and Lambs" book and have read and re-read it. Someone told me she did write another book but I have never seen it.
Julie