Almonds and Coffee... in a Cupcake!

And they are easy, too! But that is thanks to using the baking short cut of using a cake mix for the cupcakes. Using a boxed cake mix and adding a flavor makes this as easy as giving candy to a baby (such a kinder analogy than taking it away...). The almost frosting atop these mocha cupcakes made for a tasty flavor combination and an almond atop each one added a nice fancy touch!

Mocha Cupcakes

What's Inside:

-1 box of white cake mix

-All of the ingredients that the cake mix calls for

-2 tbsp strongly-brewed coffee

How to Make Them:

1) Follow the directions on the cake box adding the coffee

Almond Buttercream Frosting

What's Inside:

-1 cup butter, softened

-3-4 cups powdered sugar

-About 3 tbsps milk

-2 tsp to 1 tbsp almond extract (depending on how strong you want it!)

How to Make It:

1) Using an electric mixer, beat all ingredients until well combined. Wait until cupcakes are cool and then frost each one, placing an almond atop each cake!

Olive Oil in Cupcakes??

I must be a madwoman! But, I'm not, I promise you they are good, and a bit healthier for you as well. I am trying to move closer in that direction. The first time I made cupcakes with olive oil in them was when I went to visit my cousin in Minnesota, and they were so good that I just had to try it myself. The recipe that I found I do not believe called for enough liquid. The cupcakes were alright, but a bit dry. Therefore, I would say to add just a bit more olive oil- an alteration that I made in the recipe that follows. The frosting I made, however, had porportions that could not have been any more spot on. Please enjoy the following recipe for Mocha Olive Oil Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream Frosting.

Mocha Olive Oil Cupcakes
What's Inside
-1 1/2 cups flour
-3 tbsp cocoa
-2 tsp baking powder
-2 large, room temperature eggs
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/2 cup olive oil
-1 tbsp strongly brewed instant coffee
-1/3 cup fat-free milk

How to Make Them:
1) Preheat oven to 350. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners
2) Whisk flour, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl
3) In a seperate bow, whist together eggs, sugar and olive oil until thick, then whisk in coffee
4) Add flour and pour in milk. Stir until well combine.
5) Fill each liner about halfway full and bake for about 18-20 minutes
6) Cool completely before frosting unless you want it to melt and run down the sides of your cupcakes

Coconut Buttercream Frosting
What's Inside
-3 cups powdered sugar
-1/3 cup softened butter or margarine
-3 tbsp milk
-1 tsp coconut extract
-Coconut flakes for topping

How to Make It:
1) Blend all ingredients until well combine. Once cupcakes are cooled, top them with frosting and sprinkle coconut on top. Yum!

Dessert in a jiffy!

Wow, that made me sound like I am in the '50s. Jiffy? Seriously? Well, the description seemed to fit the bill. I could also say "dessert in a snap!" "super-fast dessert!". Whichever you prefer, they are all true- this was one of the easiest things I have made as far as prep time goes. Yes, you will have to utilize that oh-so-crazy virtue of patience while it bakes, but it was so effortless to make that it is worth it. I made this for the first time because it was requested that I make a dessert, and I had absolutely nothing planned. So this recipe happened to be on the back of the package of coconut flakes, and I decided to whip it up! The other nice thing about it is that most of the ingredients are things that you likely already have lying around.

Coconut Pie in a Jiffy!
What's Inside:
-1 cup flaked or shredded coconut
-3/4 cup sugar
-1/2 cup all-purpose baking mix
-1/4 cup softened butter/butter substitute/margarine/you get the picture- that's enough slashes
-2 cups skim milk
-1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-4 eggs

How to Make It:
1) Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray
2) Im medium bowl, blend all ingredients together until well-combined. You could probably also use a blender for this part.
3) Pour mixture into pie plate. Bake 50-55 minutes or until knife in center comes out clean. Refrigerate leftovers if you have any!