If you like Pina Coladas, and Getting Caught With Cupcakes...

Hello all,

I know, I know, its's a corny blog post title, but I honestly couldn't help singing it to myself while I was baking these cupcakes, or while eating them.

We had a little setback in the weather here in New Jersey for awhile (as if that's shocking to any of us who have lived here for our entire lives) but there's finally been a breakthrough! We hit 80s and now are headed to a balmy mid-70s range for for the rest of the week. So, with all the sun, warmth, and fresh air, I thought these pina colada cupcakes would be the perfect way to go during my month of cupcakes...and I was right.

I have eaten not one, not two...but many of these little cakes as they sat on my kitchen table, staring at me with their toasted coconut, just begging to be gobbled up before anyone notices they're gone.

After being treated to the Banana Split Cupcakes awhile back, some of my peers asked me if I could bring them a few of these to our next class. For once I actually wanted to say "there are no more" because I was thinking to myself "there won't be anymore after I get to them" but of course I said I'd be happy to.

But then, who would've thought this late in the semester I'd have such luck, my professor cancelled class today. It's a sign from God - I was meant to have all of these cupcakes to myself.

Is it going to cause a serious stomach ache? Most definitely. Do I care? Not in the slightest.

Every time I eat one I am reminded that there is roughly one WEEK left of classes for the entirety of my junior year, and I am that much closer to Summer Vacation.

I hope these send you off to a blissful summer daydream as well.

Happy Baking!

Pina Colada Cupcakes Via GloriousTreats

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups crushed pineapple, drained slightly

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two 12-cup muffin pans with liners.
2. In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs and sugar until it reaches a uniform consistency. Slowly beat in oil and vanilla.
4. Stir in sour cream and crushed pineapple until well combined.
5. Add flour mixture to wet ingredient mixture and beat until just combined.
6. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 way full and bake at 350 for 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Coconut Frosting Barely Adapted from Baked Perfection

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
4 tbsp coconut milk

1. Cream butter and coconut milk, then add vanilla.
2. Beat in powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Sweet Escapes - Sugar-Laden Cocktails

Hello friends!

So wouldn't you know it, as I was chatting on the phone with my Nana today, she mentioned if there was anything special I'd like. I stood there, silent, wondering what that meant, when she added "you know, for your birthday."

Birthday? Oh yeah, that's right! In all the hubbub of returning to college life, I completely forgot that my 21st birthday is only a month away. You'd think I'd remember something like that, being the year I can legally order drinks at a restaurant and not just look disdainfully on the infamous college kegger. 

I thought then, what would be a better "sweet escape" than to come up with a list of all of the Sweetly Inspired Drinks I plan on mixing up in a few weeks?!

1. Cake Batter Martini from How Sweet it Is

Yes, it's true. There is such thing as a cake batter martini. With ingredients like Godiva White Chocolate Liquor, creme de cacao, and the infamous Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka, this would have to be the best "birthday cake" one could have on her 21st birthday. 

2. Cupcake Jello Shot by Jelly Shot Test Kitchen

Now how adorable are these. I found the recipe for this from FoodGawker and it just intrigues me so much. I still don't know how I feel about the whipped cream mixing with the jello, but my mom puts cool whip on jello so it can't be that bad. Regardless these are to most elaborate jello shots I've ever seen (and as a college student, you see a lot of so-called impressive jello shots) and with white cake-flavored vodka as the base, how can you go wrong?

3. Banana Cream Pie Martini by DayDreamer Desserts

DayDreamer has a couple really enticing cocktail recipes, this one being my favorite. I just love the idea of capturing the essence of banana cream pie into this beautiful little martini glass. The whipped cream vodka seems to be a staple amongst these drinks, but the additional of creme de banana and Amarula cream liquor separates this from the pack as a definite must-mix for the future. 

4. Jelly Belly Martini by MyMan'sBelly

Another FoodGawker Find, I love the option to use whatever flavor JellyBelly Beans you want. The possibilities become utterly endless, as I can already imagine a Toasted Marshmallow Martini, or Strawberry Cheesecake! It's a simple recipe, no particular vodka needed (in case you can't find the cake or whipped cream-flavored one) and if you decorate with something like a Peep like she has, you're sure to impress.

At this point I am sure you are a little shocked as to the variety of dessert-inspired cocktails out there on the internet. Readers, can I tell you, this isn't even the half of it. Pinnacle, the brand of vodka famous for the whipped cream and cake flavored vodka, has an entire section on their website with recipes that incorporate these flavored vodkas into some truly inspiring drinks. Not to mention, I only featured one of DayDreamerDesserts cocktails, but she has a bunch you can check out, including Pumpkin Pie and Creme Brulee.

This has been this week's Sweet Escape! Hope you have a birthday (or party of any sort!) in which to try out these deliciously sweet cocktails. I know I'm counting the days 'til I can. Enjoy!