Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
We had leftover pineapple from making Pepperoni Pineapple Garlic Bread Pizzas so i wanted to make some upside-down pineapple cakes. To make them, i used a combo of a recipe for cute mini cakes and the “homemade cake mix” recipe – both from All Recipes.
Pineapple Upside-down Mini Cakes
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 (20 ounce) cans sliced pineapple
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 12 maraschino cherries, halved
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter; mix well. Spoon into 24 greased muffin cups. Drain pineapple, reserving the juice. Trim pineapple to fit the muffin cups; place one ring in each cup.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oils and 1-1/4 cups of the reserved pineapple juice; mix well. Spoon over pineapple, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Immediately invert onto wire racks to cool. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
Cake Mixes from Scratch
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.
- Pour batter into greased and floured 9×13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.
- Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.
- Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.
- Variation for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.
Theresa’s Birthday Celebration
Theresa’s birthday was colorful fun! We went to Ninja Sushi (surprise?) and a client actually treated the whole staff because Kathy donates her time to design the Habitat for Humanity newsletter. Theresa was showered with lovely girly, shoe-themed gifts from everyone. Look at her sporting her super ruffly apron and of course the Schipper birthday crown. And aren’t those the cutest streamers ever? Butterflies!
I got her the pink dress frame where you can stow your earrings and necklaces. Apparently Theresa has a “dressing room” all to herself – so i’m sure she has plenty of room to store her new girly things.
Kathy brought her own straws and napkins to the restaurant – my how elaborate! Theresa shares some birthday cakes with Kathy under our new doorway.
Birthday Cakes for Theresa
More birthday cupcakes to bake! This time i found some real Dutch-processed cocoa to use in the recipe. Have to say, can’t see the difference between regular Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa. But i didn’t have a side-by-side comparison.
The designs were inspired by my Martha Stewart Cupcakes book. I wanted a slight lavender color in honor of spring time. Happy Birthday to Theresa!
How Do you Bake in a Kettle?
Yum! Saw these at the end of the aisle in the store today and was excited to try them. They are so much better than Baked Lays. These chips are real chips, not some weird processed mashed potato put back together crap. Wish they came in bigger bags though!
Bikes at Golds
Tuesday nights i usually rest from the gym or go to cycling class. Earlier in the day, i noticed a gym buddy of mine mentioned she rearranged all the bikes in the room. I told her, sadly, it wont stay that way for long because the a few nights a week they rent out the room to a martial arts group who removes all of the bikes out to the hallway. Sure enough, after class tonight, all the bikes were rolled out. 😉
Double Stuf, Double the Work
Just because i workout doesn’t mean i eat healthy! Well if you follow my blog, read my facebook posts, or watch me on any given day, i’m sure you’re already aware of that. Anyway, i had cravings for Oreos so i bought Cool Mint ones at the grocery store the other day. But i didn’t realize they were “double stuf” and let me tell you… extra stuf not always better. I end up scraping half of it out and then putting it back together to eat.
Do The Sunday Step
On Sundays i usually put together my routine for my Monday Step and Weights class. I have a white board that i use to write out my notes and help me memorize what i’m going to do for the 60 minute class. I practice the routines on a small (and kind of slippery) version of the step we use at the gym which i bought years before i started teaching classes.
US Census 2010
Filled out the census today. They really don’t ask much. Thought it was funny they sent us a letter prior to this saying “we’ll be sending you the census soon”. Reminded me of that time they mailed us a letter “we’ll be sending you a stimulus check soon.” Government sure knows how to spend their dollars efficiently.
Also just noticed in this photo on the envelope “OFFICIAL BUSINESS. Penalty for Private Use $300”. So if you use the envelope to send unofficial business you’ll get fined. How funny…
Sparkly Sanok Slippers
Weather has finally warmed up enough for me to wear these sparkly slippers that i bought at T&C during our vacation in Hawaii. Seventy-degree weather in March – can’t complain! Last week it was hailing!
Cows Off of San Juan Grade
Had a meeting for work at Salinas Golf and Country Club this afternoon. Took San Juan Grade road which is a windy, one-lane road lined with grass hillsides, ranches, and cows. The grass is so green and beautiful from all the rain we’ve been having.