Monday, May 30, 2011

Belated Versaries, Memorial Day, and Almond Joy Cupcakes


So many things are swirling around in my life right now. The Relay for Life is June 24th, and I still have a lot of work to do for that, I'm co-hosting a shower for my son's fiancee, in July and have many things to do for that, and my 91 year old father is failing, and I have a food blog. I have to step away from my blog for awhile.  That doesn't mean that you won't see me commenting on a few blogs once in awhile, but for now my family has to come first.  

Friday night my Dad was in the ER, because he had lost consciousness, while sitting on the bed, fell back and hit his head. He is in the a nursing home, and the aide was getting him ready for bed. He did have a concussion, but they're still not sure if had a heart attack or seizure, in addition to all of the other health issues has.

Today is Memorial Day and my father is one of the dwindling group of WWII survivors. He was a Sgt. in the Army and repaired airplane engines in England and France. He has pictures of his army buddies, and French coins that he saved, but he doesn't talk much, about the horror of war. which he experienced.  All I can say today is Thank you Dad for your Service to our country to fight for our freedoms, and the sacrifices you made.

Here is a picture of my Dad in uniform on his wedding Day.. My Mom and Dad got married in Boise, ID, weeks before he was deployed overseas in 1942 and were married for 65 years!  My Mom passed away in 2007.

Now for the belated versaries.  My blogiversary was April 17th, when  I did my first post. I didn't join Foodbuzz until July. In April, I was so immersed in planning Online the Bake Sale, that I didn't have time to think of my blogiversary.  I have learned so many things from the Food Blogging community, and discovered a whole other world on the other side of my computer screen.   I have met many wonderful people, and experiencecd firsthand, the warmth and friendship of the community, which is something, that I never expected.   I have also tried to improve my photos and got a new camera,, but still not the DSLR , that is just a dream at this point:)

Now for the other versary, (if that is a word.) Thursday, May 26th was my 10th wedding  anniversay.  We actually celebrated our anniversary with our friends in St. Louis, who's anniversary is the day after ours, with Margarita cupcakes. when we got back,  I saw a recipe an Almond Joy four Layer cake in a Rachael Ray magazine.  It looked so good, but I didn't want a whole, huge, four layer cake in the house.  So, I found  a recipe from Naturally Ella  Almond Joy Cupcakes, which I adapted..  If you like the Almond Joy or  Mounds, candy bars, you'll love these cupcakes, which taste heavenly.  First, there is a very chocolaty cupcake, which is filled with  a coconut cream cheese filling.  Then the cupcake is topped with ganache and topped with slivered almonds.  If you don't like the almonds, jut pick them off. Enjoy!


    Almond Joy Cupcakes   Adapted from Naturally Ella
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
Filling
  • 1 cup Shredded Coconut sweetened
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 oz light cream cheese
  • 1-2  cup powdered sugar, to get desired consistency
  • 1/3 c heavy cream-I used Almond milk and it was fine.
Ganache
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350˚
  • In a small bowl, sift dry ingredients for cupcakes and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl (or a bowl of a stand mixer) combine butter and sugar, beat until light and fluffy- about 3 minutes.  Add in egg and vanilla, continue to beat until incorporated.  Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients followed by half of the milk.  Beat until just combined.  Scrap down sides and repeat.  Add remaining flour and mix until batter is combined- don't over mix.
  • Divide batter into 12 cupcakes and bake for 16-18 minutes or until cupcake springs back when pressed.  Remove from pan and place on a cooling rack.
            Filling   
      Take cooled cupcakes, and with the cone method, remove center of cupcake.
  • Fill with coconut cream cheese,
  • Replace cone.
Ganache
  • In a heat proof bowl combine chocolate and heavy cream, or Almond milk. Place over a pot of boiling water and continue to stir until chocolate is melted and the ganache is smooth.  Take each cupcake and dip into the ganache, covering the coconut filling.  Once each cupcake has been covered once, go back and dip the cupcakes in the ganache for a second time. Garnish with slivered almonds.


26 comments:

  1. Thinking of you, Becky...sorry you dad isn't doing so well! I'm so grateful for his service to our country! I'll miss your posting while you take a break, but hope we can still tag up at XOCO when I'm in Chicago in a few weeks. Will e-mail you my cell phone number as the date gets closer.

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  2. I'm praying for you and your dad, Becky. I'm so sorry to hear about his health. And these cupcakes are just perfect. Almond Joys are my dad's favorite candy (the only kind he'll eat). Thank you for sharing with me today! I hope you had a lovely holiday. Have a week full of good food, laughter and love!

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  3. Happy Anniversary Becky for your marriage and your blog! I lost my Dad just a year ago and I couldn't be with him the last moment, and that was something I always regret about. Enjoy the precious moment with him and I hope your care can strengthen his health.

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  4. Wendy-thank for your thoughts of my Dad, and I'm sure that we can meet. when you're in Chicago.

    Monet- Thank you for your prayers. the mean a lot.
    Now. I my 52 yr old brother, the leukemia patient, had a heart attack yesterday, and had angioplasty with three stents. My weekend could have been better.

    Veronica- Thank you so much for your thoughts of my Dad.

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  5. Becky-So sorry about your dad's failing health, and your brother's as well.
    Because of your dad, and all the others in service of WWII and now, we have them to thank for keeping our country safe.
    Happy Anniversery on your blog, your marriage, and wishing you continuing success!
    Love your pretty, and decadent litte cupcakes. You're so gracious in helping out with everything for everybody, also for your future daughter-in-law, as well:DDD

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  6. Elisabeth-Thank you for the thoughts for my Dad and Brother. My Dad is doing OK, as well as my brother. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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  7. My thoughts and prayers for you and your dad. These cupcakes are very cute:)

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  8. Becky...the cupcakes look divine! I'm an almond joy lover! Good luck with all the things you have on your plate at this time. But mostly, my thoughts are with you and your family and the hope that everyone's health will be improving soon! Hang in there! : )

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  9. Lauren- Thank you for your prayers.

    Anne- Thank you for stopping by my blog and your kind words.

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  10. What a great post Becky. Loved the pics of your Mom & Dad! And Happy Anniversary. Sorry, I'm a bit behind on everyone's blog posts ;o(
    This is a great recipe - love Almond Joys!! And in cupcake form?? Even better!

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  11. Oh Becky, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's heath. I hope he gets better soon.

    Happy wedding and blog anniversary to you. It was a pleasure meeting you.

    the cupcakes look amazing. Wish I nibble on one right now.

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  12. First and foermost, hope your dadis doing better. It was so swet to see the wedding photo of your Mom and Dad :)

    Secondly, Happy belated blogiversary and wedding anniversary! Here;s to many, many more years of both!

    Thirdly, those almond joy cupcakes look phenomenal. A must try for me.

    Finally, thank you so much for your sweet comment on my guest post. Because of it, I got to discover your lovely and delicious blog!

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  13. Lisa- I discovered your blog through your guest post and amazing entrement. Thank you for stopping by.

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  14. Becky,
    I'm so sorry to hear all the hard things that are coming your way. I'll be thinking of you, if you need anything, please feel free to send me an e-mail. Happy Anniversary to you and your husband, I'm wishing you two many more.
    -Gina-

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  15. YUM! this looks great! I happened to come across your blog and I LOVE it! You have some great recipes on here! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would check out my blog and follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  16. I'm praying for you and your dad, Becky. I'm so sorry to hear about his health.

    Your cupcakes look amazing!

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  17. Becky, it's a while since I dropped by to see your lovely posts and so sorry to hear about your Dad. Thinking of you and your family just now. They need you and these marvellous cakes!

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  18. Happy belated bloggiversary to you and happy belated wedding anniversary to you and your hubby. Sorry to hear about your Dad's health condition. Will pray that he will feel better soon. Don't worry about blogging, your family must come first. We will be here whenever you are more free to blog again. HUGZ!!

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  19. Gina- I sent you an email.

    Nikki- I stopped by your blog. thank you for your sweet comments.

    Christine- Thank you for your prayers

    Jill- thank you for your kind words, which are very much appreciated.

    Veronica- thank you for you your prayers and support. I need them so much.

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  20. Wow, Becky... I hope your dad and grandma are doing ok... we've been in the same boat. My MIL fell about 10 days ago and broke her pelvis, she's in a skilled nursing place now, and with her pshychological issues, we are pretty sure she is there for good. It's a tough road.
    A hearty thank from us to you Dad as well! I'm so glad you posted the photo of him and your mom. And congrats on your blogoversary!! Mine just past as well and I haven't had time to do anything either... somehow life seems to get in the way!! Wonderful cupcakes for your wedding anniversary!! Congrats all around!!

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  21. Kim- You have a full plate, too, and I certainly have empathy for you. It's not easy. Hope that you MIL is doing OK.

    Thanks you for the anniversary wishes.

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  22. So sorry to hear about your Dad.

    And thanks for posting this awesome cupcakes of yours! They look delicious.

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  23. Hi Becky!
    Your dad is in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry.
    Happy Anniversary and congrats on one year of blogging.
    And your almond joy cupcakes look amazing. I love almond joy candy so how could I not love them in cupcake form?! :)

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  24. Mmmmmmm, these cupcakes sound incredible! I'm all in favor of coconut in my desserts. Belated anniversary wishes, Becky...and I hope your dad is doing OK....

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  25. You are always busy and surrounded by lovely family. hugs to you. Congrats on your wedding anniversary and your blog too! ♥- Katrina

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  26. Happy anniversary, and I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking of you!

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