Thursday, June 5, 2014

Tropical Cakelets & June's Give-Away-Apron

What's the best part of a muffin or cupcake?  The top, of course!  When I found this Ruffle Cakelet pan, by Nordic in the King Arthur Flour catalogue, I knew it would be perfect to create those perfect bites we remember as kids. 

The recipe also appeared in the catalogue baked in Ball jars, which is very cute, but I decided this treat would be adaptable to my new pan for treats that I would deliver later to the guys working on our new home.
Looks like July will be our "move-in" date and I'm so excited to share with you some photos I took yesterday.
Rear View

Kitchen--countertops are in, but doors and drawers go in last so they don't get "dented."

Our chandelier that I purchased in Massachusetts, when we built our first home. It's been with us in Connecticut and Washington...now in North Carolina!
The kitchen, which for me is the heart of the home, is full of detail with the tremendous custom cabinetry.  Norman, our cabinet maker, thought of everything including spice racks on either side of the cooktop!

My walk-in pantry is a room unto itself measuring 8' x 8' - a dream come true!
I cannot wait to bake in this kitchen and finally have a place for all my gadgets, pans, and cookbooks!

Tropical Cakelets
5 T unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 granulated sugar
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup milk, at room temperature
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. coconut extract (or flavoring)
1 1/2 cups Unbleached Cake Flour Blend 
1/3 cup coconut milk powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 T cake enhancer 

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Spray Ruffle Cakelet pan with a non-stick baking spray.

In a bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy. 

Combine milk, egg whites, vanilla extract and coconut flavoring in a 2-cup measure and whisk to combine.  Set aside.

Sift the dry ingredients to blend together.
Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternately with the egg white/milk mixture to the butter/sugar batter.  Combine thoroughly.  Fill the cakelet pan wells half full.  This recipe made 14 Cakelets.
 Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, testing centers with your fingertips or a wooden skewer poked in the center.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly before turning out onto a rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
1 T meringue powder, to stabilize the frosting
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 T Mango~Pineapple Sonoma Syrup  
Beat the butter until fluffy.  Beat in the salt, meringue powder and vanilla.  Add the sugar and syrup and beat well.  Pipe the frosting onto the split cakelets.



I dusted the tops with a little more confectioners' sugar for presentation. Enjoy!

Now, the inspiration for this month's apron has got to be the beautiful "Carolina blue" skies!
This apron is the perfect example of sunshine and blue skies, which I wish for everyone!  Just comment on any of the posts this month and this apron could be yours.   

 

16 comments:

  1. Ahh...Be still my heart...that pantry!! Fabulous new home. That pan is great, too.

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  2. Oh my, your kitchen is to die for. You have thought of everything and your pantry room WOW. I would never leave the kitchen. Your home is beautiful and I know you are excited to move it.
    I love the cakelets, they look delicious - yum.
    Please enter me into your beautiful apron give-a-way.
    Have a wonderful weekend with your lovely blue skies.
    Mary

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  3. Your new kitchen looks great, and walk-in pantry sounds a dream for me. Those cupcakes look awesome, Susan.

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  4. Gorgeous home, Susan. It looks so spacious and I'm sure it will be fun to decorate. Love your recipe today. They look delish. Deb

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  5. Wow! Your home is gorgeous!! I love your porches on the back of the house. Have you ever seen Susan's porch from Between Naps on the Porch blog?? Your set up looks similar.

    http://betweennapsontheporch.net/porches-decks-my-nest/

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  6. Fabulous apron. I would love to have it. Your home is looking wonderful!

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  7. The cakelets look so good, the apron is adorable as always....but that kitchen....be still my heart! WOW! You deserve this space so much. Your home is going to be amazing. So happy for you!
    hugs, Linda

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  8. Oh gosh, I don't know where to begin!! Your new home is beautiful and the kitchen and pantry are a dream come true. I saw the cakelet pan in KAF and just knew you would have to have it!! I love the colors in the apron. Great job all around!! Love you.

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  9. Your new kitchen is going to be a dream to work in! And that pantry...oh my! July will be exciting. Beautiful apron, Susan. Very pretty muffin tops, too.

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  10. Love the apron Susan...again...happy, cheerful and a perfect summer look! Now your new home is just sunning! love the color and the traditional appearance! You are going to be singing and dancing in this beautiful kitchen! I know you all must be super excited!!!

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  11. The house is lovely! So very happy for you that you're moving in next month! And, a Wolf and walk in pantry room...So jealous, but in the best possible way. :) Cute little cakelets, which I bet were light and luscious! lv, me

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  12. I love Carolina blue and this is a beautiful apron! Your new house is beautiful and the pantry is amazing! It's going to be an exciting summer! Hugs, Diane

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  13. Like the adorable little cakes. Apron is blue-tiful! and your house!!!! fabulous.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  14. Those cakelets are so cute–what a great pan! Your new home is looking beautiful–you must be so excited!

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  15. Your new kitchen looks wonderful - I'm sure it will be a dream for all your cooking and baking.
    I've noticed you use a lot of King Arthur products and what has caught my eye the most are the flavorings you use in some of your deliicous looking baked goods. I've been hesitant to try them but am getting more interested as I read all your wonderful recipes.
    What has been your experience? Good, some better than others, some taste like the bottle their in, really enhance flavor...?
    Thank you,
    Mary

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  16. 3 Studies PROVE Why Coconut Oil Kills Waist Fat.

    This means that you actually burn fat by eating Coconut Fat (also coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).

    These 3 studies from major medical magazines are sure to turn the conventional nutrition world upside down!

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