Celebration Time ~ Classic Yellow Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

 

From the rich, creamy, sweet frosting to the delectable moist cake, it’s hard to be in a funk when devouring a cupcake!

The gems first appeared back in 1828 when an ingenious young woman, Eliza Leslie, published her cookbook, Seventy-Five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes and Sweetmeats, which included the recipe for the first cupcake.

Memories with a Honolulu Cocktail

The best vacation ever, for me, was when Bill and I went to Hawaii!

I love Hawaii, I love everything about it!  

Delicious Bars ~ Coconut Chews!

I love coconut—

the more,

the better!

A sweet coconut filling layered on a buttery shortbread crust, spread over all, a tangy orange-lemon frosting…

This is a simple bar to make for any coconut lover, and is one of the best treats for this time of year that I can think of.

They're simple, easy to make, chewy, nice and sweet, and loaded with coconut.

If you have a yen for coconut, you can’t go wrong making these!



Coconut Chews

Ingredients:

¾ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup shortening (half butter, softened)*
1½ cups flour
2 eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup flaked coconut

Method:

Heat oven to 350°.
Mix powdered sugar and shortening.
Stir in 1½ cups flour.
Press in ungreased oblong 13” x 9” pan.
Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
Mix remaining ingredients.
Spread over baked layer.
Bake 20 minutes, cool.
Frost with Orange-Lemon Frosting, recipe below.
Cut into bars, about 3” x 1”.
Makes 32 cookies

*Use 6 tablespoons shortening, and 6 tablespoons of butter.  
That's 12 tablespoons total to equal 3/4 cup.


Orange-Lemon Frosting

1½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Mix all ingredients until smooth and spread over cooled bars.
Printable recipe

Enjoy!