Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Cupcake Project


Last week I had to apologize to a friend for my last minute RSVP change; from +1 to just 1 because the B had to go out of town for work at the last minute. My friend "suggested" I bring red velvet cupcakes in place of the B. I took the "suggestion" as a "request" and since the occasion was an engagement party, I went an extra mile.


 The extra mile involved packaging the cupcakes individually and making little "J2" flags.


I figured out how to individually package the cupcakes thanks to Pinterest and this blog.


And, I turned to a co-worker for help with the flags.  She has graphic design experience and helped me out.


The plastic cups are of the 9-ounce, clear plastic variety, and the bags came from Jo-Ann. Packaging was quite easy...as long as you don't overfill your cupcake cups (something I tend to do), and you don't frost your entire cupcake.



Monday, August 20, 2012

The Chocolate Haupia Pie Did Not Go Over Well


I am so disappointed.  My first chocolate haupia pie was kind of a fail.  Kind of because it looked right and tasted right, but apparently I should have shared with those who have acquired the taste for such a pie.  Mr. Sweeth Tooth did not like it.  Something about the consistency.  Granted, the chocolate pie was a not as light as I would have liked, but I didn't feel like it was that bad. 

Insert sad face here.

The recipe came from Hawaii's Best Local Desserts.  It was an easy recipe, the hardest part was finding frozen coconut milk.  In fact, I could not find the frozen stuff easily, so I bought the canned version.  To confirm, I sent a text to my friend who I figured would know, and of course she knew (she writes the myfoodaffair blog).  When she make haupia, she uses canned coconut milk, and finds it more flavorful. 

By the way, haupia is a coconut dessert from Hawaii.  It's kind of like jello.

Here's the recipe, hope it goes over better for you than it did for me.  By the way, I added my notes directly in the text below (I'm being lazy), and made the copy bold.



Chocolate Haupia Pie
adapted from Hawaii's Best Local Desserts
  • 1 frozen prepared pie crust (9-inch)
  • 1 can frozen coconut milk, (12-oz), thawed (canned coconut milk is okay)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup water
  • semi-sweet chocolate (7-oz)
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • Shaved chocolate for garnish
Bake pie crust at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.  Cool.

To make the haupia, whisk coconut milk, milk, and 1 cup sugar in a sauce pan.  In a separate bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water.  Bring the coconut milk mixture to a boil.  Reduce to simmer and whisk in cornstarch mixture until thickened.  I don't think you have to use the entire cornstarch mixture, but I could be wrong (maybe someone can comment on this for me).

Microwave chocolate pieces for 1 minute, or until melted (I go for soft and then stir so it doesn't get too hot).  Pour half the haupia into a bowl.  Mix the remaining haupia with melted choclate and pour on bottom of pie crust.  Spread out evenly.  Layer white haupia on top.  Spread evenly.  Cool the pie in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  Whip heavy whipping cream with 1/4 sugar until stiff peaks form.  Garnish the pie with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.  Chill for 1 hour.