Saturday, March 24, 2012

Somoa Inspired Brownie Cupcakes

I know this is normally a gardening blog, but another one of my hobbies is baking.  I would bake even more if someone else would clean up after me.  Love to bake, hate to clean!

A couple of weeks ago I bought a jar of virgin coconut oil out of curiosity.  I have some friends who have totally switched over to coconut oil over butter, margarine, or even olive oil.  They claim it has great health benefits, so I thought I would give it a try.  Upon opening the jar, I found a new love.   I love coconut, and I swear could eat this stuff with a spoon right out of the jar.  I knew when I first smelled it that I had to make something really good with it.  Mix that with watching Cupcake Wars and you get = Somoa Inspired Brownie Cupcakes!


Here is my easy recipe:

Somoa Inspired Brownie Cupcakes
1 box brownie mix (I prefer Trader Joe's Truffle Brownie Mix)
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Melt butter and coconut oil and then mix with brownie mix, eggs, and chocolate chips until moistened.  Pour brownie mixture into a cupcake pan lined with cupcake liners.
Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes.  Ovens vary, so check them after 15 minutes.  If you put a toothpick in them and it doesn't come out clean put them back in for about 4 minutes and try again.
Once toothpick comes out clean, take out of oven and allow to cool.

Caramel Coconut Buttercream Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

Cream together butter and coconut oil.  Then add caramel topping and vanilla, and mix until smooth.  Slowly add powdered sugar until smooth and holds form well.

Frost cooled brownie cupcakes and then top with toasted coconut.  (spread 1 cup coconut on cookie sheet and broil for a few minutes, be careful to watch as it burns easily)

These are not for the faint at heart, you need a real sweet tooth to enjoy these!  A giant glass of milk and you are ready to rock and roll!




No comments: