These are the birthday cupcakes I made myself. I'm obsessed with lemon cake and coconut, so that's what we've got here: lemon cupcakes, frosted with coconut buttercream and topped with toasted shredded coconut. I tasted one when nobody was looking: they're killer. Try them for yourself:
Lemon Cake
Someday I'm going to try making a cake from scratch, maybe. Until then, this is a trick I learned from someone else and adapted to my lemony desires. If you are scratch-cake averse, fool your friends and amaze your family with this one:
First, get you one box of lemon cake mix
Bake as box indicates, but substitute the equivalent amount of butter for oil and whole milk for water. Also add the juice and zest of two lemons. There you go. Lemon cake.
Coconut Buttercream
Beat one softened stick of butter, three cups of powdered sugar, and a teaspoon or so of coconut extract, drizzling in milk or cream a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. All done.
Happy Birthday to you (tomorrow)!
Posted by: green | April 20, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Happy Birthday! Your cupcakes look amazing. My Mom's birthday is in April and she also love coconut cake and lemon, too funny!
Posted by: sara | April 20, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Happy Birthday! Your cupcakes look and sound amazing.
Posted by: Heather | April 20, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Happy Birthday to yoooooooooou!
It was fun seeing you. Auntie N
Posted by: Auntie Nancy | April 21, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Yummm! looks fantastic! Wish I was there.
Posted by: Grammy | April 22, 2009 at 09:44 AM
May I add, EVERYTHING is better with real butter and real cream.
Posted by: Grammy | April 23, 2009 at 11:58 AM