Last week, I celebrated my half birthday. While I’m not exactly sure where I’ll be for my birthday in December, I’m determined to make it somewhere warm! (So obviously, Chicago isn’t going to cut it. :-P) In honor of the half and to celebrate the start of warmer temps, I hosted a tropical-themed dinner party for a some close friends. It only seemed fitting to recap a couple recipes from the event for my first Fiesta Friday Blog Party. (Thanks for the invite to participate, Jhuls!)
The full dinner party spread looked like this:
- Appetizers: watermelon, chips & salsa, drunk gummies and fruit glazed meatballs
- Main course: pineapple & ham fried rice, BBQ pulled chicken on Hawaiian rolls and ginger & garlic green beans
- Dessert: double coconut cupcakes and watermelon cookie “slices”
- Drink: tropical ginger punch
I also had a few fun and tropical wearables – leis and party glasses, courtesy of Oriental Trading. (I had to practice restraint when browsing through the Luau section — so many cute and appropriately themed things!)
OK, time to skip to the desserts. The watermelon cookie slices really DID taste like watermelon! (Several friends were convinced I’d melted watermelon Jolly Ranchers into the batter, as they swore that’s what they were reminded of when sampling the cookies.) But the solution to make these cookies was a lot simpler. I turned a box of Betty Crocker Watermelon Cupcake Mix into cake mix cookies, and added some icing and green sugar to create the rind. I used my roommate’s “muffin tops” pan to create the larger cookies, and cut them in half once they’d baked (and had time to cool) to create the slices. (Want to learn how to create cake mix cookies? See my recipe for Strawberry White Chocolate Cookies.)
The Double Coconut Cupcakes were a bit more involved, though I still used a box of cake mix for the base batter. (Hey, I had three other courses to worry about! :-P) Once out of the oven, these cupcakes were super light and spongy. The condensed milk and coconut on top makes them look pretty even without the frosting.
Double Coconut Cupcakes
The Makings:
Cupcakes:
- 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 1/4 cups almond coconut milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 4 egg whites
Frosting:
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons almond coconut milk
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted
The Sweetness:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small frying pan, cook sweetened coconut flakes over low-medium heat for a few minutes. Stir often and watch carefully, as the flakes will easily burn if left unattended.
2. Mix toasted coconut with condensed milk. In a separate bowl, combine cake mix, milk, vegetable oil and egg whites together using a mixer on low for the first minute and at medium speed for another 2 minutes.
3. Insert liners in muffin tins and fill liners about 3/4ths full with batter. Scoop condensed milk/coconut mixture atop batter on each cupcake.
4. Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
5. While cupcakes are cooling, create frosting by beating butter smooth with a hand mixer. Gradually blend in powdered sugar to form a crumbly mix. Next, add in milk and mix until desired consistency.
6. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle tops with toasted coconut.
This recipe was adapted from Crazy for Crust.
More Sweetness:
Make Me Something Sweet 
Wow, I am getting hungry right now, thanks for sharing !!! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
so beautiful! Happy fiesta friday! greetings from Italy!
Simi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! I didn’t know Fiesta Friday was international, but that makes it even cooler. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I’m sorry I confused with a blogger fiesta friday! have a good weekend! kisses from italy!
LikeLike
What a fruity post! I love how you decorated the watermelon mix, like a watermelon. Happy Fiesta Friday, and have a wonderful weekend! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome to Fiesta Friday! Thanks so much for sharing these lovely recipes, they both looks delicious. Have a wonderful weekend and it’s very nice to meet you! :)
LikeLike
Thank you for the welcome and for the visit. It’s my first Fiesta Friday! I look forward to seeing what you’ve featured for Fiesta Friday, too.
LikeLike
I brought cherry pie! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Half-Birthday, Maia, and Happy Fiesta #20! What a feast! I never had watermelon cookies and it sounds very interesting. Are those tiny chocolate chips for the seeds or sesame seeds? They are really cute. Two please! :P
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the celebratory wishes. :) The “seeds” were actually part of the cake mix itself. They didn’t seem to have any distinct flavor. I will definitely keep the party going by swinging over to say hello on your blog, too.
LikeLike
Everything sounds wonderful! So glad you joined Fiesta Friday!
LikeLike
These are so cute and creative! I love them! :)
LikeLike
What a beautiful and creative treat you made. They look like watermelon slices. Such a great idea and delicious too! Thanks for bring to FF#20.
LikeLike
What fun – Betty Crocker makes a watermelon cake mix! I make a cute watermelon cookie too and everyone likes them. The kids always liked to decorate them :)
LikeLike
Nice! I’m going to try to search for them over on your blog. And yes, the cake mix version was a hit! The “seeds” were included in the batter.
LikeLike