Cotton Pickin Cute: Put The Love In The Coconut For Valentines Day

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Put The Love In The Coconut For Valentines Day

Today, I was oh' so tempted to go to Publix and get a birthday cake. Nope, it wasn't anyones birthday here, just me, REALLY wanting some really thick, creamy, buttercream frosting. Oh' yeah, that's a great way to get ready for swimsuit season.

I didn't go to Publix, but I didn't exactly win the battle either. I half won. I decided to save the money and make my own calorie buster. I made a Coconut Valentine Cake. Let's just say it was all for the sake of love and Valentines Day okay?

Now I'm walking around with "Put the love in the coconut" verse to the tune of "Put the lime in the coconut" running non-stop through my head.

Unlike this coconut cake I made for Christmas dinner a few months ago - I cheated. Oh' the shame of it all. No, this one wasn't as good as my from scratch cake, but I saved a lot of time and I'm guessing some money too. I know I saved money making this instead of buying the grocery store cake. Do you want to know how to make a box cake a little more homemade?

Here's how I do it:
Start by purchasing a box cake mix and frosting. I highly recommend the Duncan Hines Signature collection. This isn't a sponsored post. Just sharing what I love folks!

Cake:

Duncan Hines Signature Coconut Supreme Cake Mix
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp coconut extract flavoring
1/2 cup Bakers Angel Flake Sweetened Coconut

Follow the instructions on the cake mix box. Add coconut extract flavoring when mixing. Stir in flaked coconut. Bake following box instructions.

Frosting:

Duncan Hines Home-Style Cream Cheese Canned Frosting
1/3 cup powdered confectioners sugar
1-2 teaspoons Coconut extract flavoring
Bakers Angel Flake Coconut
Brach Conversation Hearts

Blend icing, sugar and coconut flavoring with mixer until stiff enough for the spoon to stand up. ( I like my frosting STIFF)
Frost cake adding coconut to sides and top. Decorate with conversation hearts.

*Tip: For easy cleanup and pretty presentation, lay 3 strips of waxed paper around the edges your cake platter before adding the cake. Frost and remove paper.

All done and it was so easy. Now what possibly be better than a day with cake? A day where you open the mailbox only to find THIS!!!!

A card full of warm love!!! That's exactly what I found in my mailbox. My sweetest bestest friend Julie from Mamawj's Moment Away sent me a oh so cute card to with a Starbucks gift card to warm my heart and make my Valentines Day all special. I can't begin to tell you what that meant to me. I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have such a thoughtful friend. Dear Lord, what did I do to have such loving and giving friends. Julie and I talk via facebook everyday and I have a dear, dear friend that sends me a boosting message each morning just so I know they care. I'm not lucky, I'm BLESSED!

If you'd like to see an some more Valentine Projects, you can check out last years bunting tutorial HERE.

I'm partying over at The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday. Stop by and check out the party!