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Coconut Cherry Chip Bundt Cake #Bundtamonth

April 3, 2013 By + 63 Comments

“IN THE CHERRY BLOSSOM’S SHADE THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A STRANGER.”  Kobayashi Issa

Coconut Cherry Chip Bundt Cake | From My Sweet Heart

Well it is cherry blossom season here again in the nation’s capital!  And while the Cherry Blossom Festival is officially underway, it certainly doesn’t feel like spring here yet.  The highest temperature today is a breezy 53° and all I want to do is drink hot chocolate!  But this is my first time participating in Bundt a Month.  This group, founded by Anuradha of Baker Street and Lora of Cake Duchess, is made up of some amazing and creative bundt bakers.  And when it was announced that cherry would be the theme, I felt like I had to represent!

I chose to bake a coconut based cake studded with sweet Oregon cherries and semi sweet chocolate chips.  Top it off with a drizzle of chocolate cherry ganache and a sprinkling of coconut (tinted the color of cherry blossoms), and I feel like I am on a float in the middle of the parade! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bundt-a-Month, Cake, Group Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Chocolate Coconut Pie

January 7, 2013 By + 72 Comments

“IT ISN’T THE FLAVOR OF COCONUT THAT TROUBLES ME, BUT THE TEXTURE.  I FEEL AS IF I’M CHEWING ON A SWEETENED CUTICLE.”  Steve Almond

Chocolate Coconut Pie | From My Sweet Heart

This quote really puts a grin on my face because I know that coconut is one of those flavors that people either love or hate.  For me, I LOVE coconut!  And so I was really happy to learn that it was the featured ingredient at The Chocolate Party!  A huge thanks to Roxana, from Roxana’s Home Baking, for organizing this group of wonderful cooks and bakers who are happy to pair a special ingredient with chocolate once a month.  The thing I love most about coconut is . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chocolate Party, Pie Tagged With: , , , ,

Mango Coconut Cream Puffs with Mango Mojito Sauce

September 1, 2012 By + 58 Comments

“THERE SHALL BE ETERNAL SUMMER IN THE GRATEFUL HEART.”  Celia Thaxter

Mango Coconut Cream Puffs with Mango Mojito Sauce | From My Sweet Heart

Well it is that time of year.  Though it is not technically autumn, September 1st always feels like the beginning of fall to me, no matter what the weather.  In my mind, I just know that summer is over.  So The Baking Group (not yet officially named), has decided to give summer a tropical send off! Since I realized that I haven’t eaten one mango all season, I decided to mix a combination of tropical flavors into one little cream puff!  Sweet cream, mangoes, coconut, spiced rum and mint all mix and mingle to create a light, clean, fresh bite. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Pastry Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Plum & Coconut Spoon Bread

July 19, 2012 By + 42 Comments

Plum & Coconut Spoon Bread

 Has everyone been enjoying their sweet summer corn?  The corn here in Maryland has been a little hit and miss this year.  Actually, I’ve had some ears that have been down right wonky!  So for this month’s Improv Cooking Challenge, I am opting to bake with cornmeal!  Kristen, from The Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker has challenged us to use corn and butter as the key ingredients in our recipes.  And I’ve decided to put a slightly exotic spin on the traditional spoon bread by adding . . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen Improv, Savory Sweet Tagged With: , , ,

Ambrosia Milkshake

June 10, 2012 By + 57 Comments

“ACCEPT WHAT PEOPLE OFFER.  DRINK THEIR MILKSHAKES.  TAKE THEIR LOVE.”  Wally Lamb

Ambrosia Milkshake | From My Sweet Heart

I’m toasting today to Ambrosia.  That salad we all hate to love…but we love it anyway!  Named as food for the gods.  Will this milkshake turn back the years and give you ageless immortality?  No….but I sure felt like a kid when I was drinking it!  I know there are several versions of the Ambrosia salad out there.  Here is my version all twisted in a milkshake.  Juicy pineapples.  Sweet mandarin oranges.  Luscious whipped cream.  Chewy bits of coconut.  And soft, chewy marshmallows.  Where are the marshmallows you ask?. . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Chilly Treats, Sodas & Shakes Tagged With: , , , , ,

Coconut Risotto

May 31, 2012 By + 42 Comments

“PULL UP A CHAIR.  TAKE A TASTE.  COME JOIN US.  LIFE IS SO ENDLESSLY DELICIOUS.”  Ruth Reichl

Coconut Risotto | From My Sweet Heart

Most days, I think we can all benefit from a little ‘group therapy’.  And my favorite online group to participate in is the  Improv Cooking Challenge.  Kristen, from The Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker, is the wonderful creator and leader of this great group of chefs/bakers/bloggers/food fanatics!  Each month, Kristen gives us two ingredients to toss together in the recipe of our choice.  And my fellow Improvers come up with the most amazing stuff!

Kristen’s blog is all about food and family. And while she cooks full flour for her family; she is gluten free.   Her motto is “delicious doesn’t have to be expensive.” And I couldn’t agree more!   Kristen is running a new feature on her site to introduce her readers to ‘The Improvers’.  And today, I am so happy and grateful to be a guest on Kristen’s blog!  And so I’ve chosen to make. . . . . [Read more...]

Filed Under: Creamy Desserts Tagged With: , , , ,

Pineapple Coconut Tarts

May 11, 2012 By + 53 Comments

“PARADISE IS OPEN TO ALL KINDS OF HEARTS.”  Pierre Jean de Béranger

Pineapple Coconut Tarts | From My Sweet Heart

Two bites = two words. Tropical. Paradise. 

A sweet tart crust….. filled with luscious coconut pastry cream….. sprinkled with chewy toasted coconut….. and topped with fresh, sweet, juicy pineapples.

Is your heart open? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tarts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints

February 1, 2012 By + 41 Comments

“WHAT YOU LOVE IS AS UNIQUE TO YOU AS YOUR FINGERPRINTS.”  Barbara Sher

Coconut & Salted Caramel Thumbprints | From My Sweet Heart

I have never read any of the books written by Barbara Sher.  But I do agree with her belief that nothing will make you really happy but doing what you love.  We change so much as people over time.  Growth…..sometimes painful, but always a good thing!  And sometimes there are aspects of ourselves that have remained the same. I know that I have enjoyed writing since I was in the 7th grade!  And I still do!  And yet, it seems I’ve had to experience half of my life to realize how much I love to bake!  Thumbprint cookies are pretty common.  But it’s what you do to them that makes them unique to you.  And for me, that can only mean one thing….. [Read more...]

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Coconut Irish Cream Truffles

July 6, 2011 By + 15 Comments

“IF NOT FOR CHOCOLATE, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR CONTROL TOP PANTYHOSE.  AN ENTIRE GARMENT INDUSTRY WOULD BE DEVASTATED.”    Author unknown

Coconut Irish Cream Truffles | From My Sweet Heart

I have been wanting to make some form of candy for some time now.  What better way to start than with TRUFFLES!!!  I had a few fits and starts.  The first batch a few weeks ago to include my old nemesis the strawberry….turned out like bubble gum!  And today, though the cream center had set quite nicely….I initially scooped them out a little bit large!  And after rolling the first few in chocolate and then coconut…..well they ended up looking more like meatballs than truffles!  (Hey!  I’m all for eating a Coconut Irish Cream Meatball!!!)

The recipe really is quite easy and you can make them any size you’d like ……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Candy Tagged With: , , , ,

Strawberry Breakfast Cookies

June 27, 2011 By + 20 Comments

“THE BREEZE AT DAWN HAS SECRETS TO TELL YOU.  DON’T GO BACK TO SLEEP.”  Rumi

Strawberry Breakfast Cookies | From My Sweet Heart

I am not a big breakfast eater.  I prefer to skip breakfast and indulge in a larger and very leisurely brunch.  And I prefer to eat breakfast for my dinner!  Go figure.  What I really love to eat for breakfast are pastries and sweet things with either a cup of cafe au lait or tea with milk and sugar. And while I LOVE a good sticky bun; sometimes a simple piece of brioche with a little jam is all I need.  Mostly, these days….my breakfast is on the fly.  And so anything made portable is great!

These breakfast treats are really good and very simple!  They are a cross between a scone and a cookie.  And again, the ingredients can be so versatile.  The secret ingredients in these little gems are……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast/Brunch Tagged With: , , ,