dessert weekend

I've been interested in making a coconut cake ever since I saw a Bobby Flay Throwdown on the subject several months ago, but TJ doesn't like coconut (such a travesty) and a towering treat such as this seems to demand a special occasion.

Good thing my brother had his 25th birthday party on Saturday. I decided on a recipe from the October 2001 issue of Bon Appétit for Giant Coconut Layer Cake, and it turned out beautifully. My absolute favorite part of the whole thing is the coconut filling. Ah, butter and heavy whipping cream.

Since one dessert is never enough when it's party time, I made some truffles. Last Christmas, Rhett and Monica introduced us to this tasty, decadent treat, which look pretty fancy but are a snap to make. I made the original Oreo version (recipe here) with a white chocolate shell and experimented with a peanut butter version using Nutter Butter cookies. I think it is impossible to choose which one I liked better. Next time I want to try mint Oreos, or maybe lemon sandwich cookies.

Last but not least: chocolate cupcakes (in Christmas-themed cupcake liners because they're the only kind my mom had in stock). But not just any kind of chocolate cupcake: vegan chocolate cupcakes. I had to try to make at least one slightly healthy thing, especially since the birthday person likes to stay fit and eats nothing with fat or butter in it. I think he's adopted or something. This particular cupcake recipe comes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. I've debated before on whether or not to purchase the cookbook but I think I'm sold after trying this recipe.

Happy birthday, Daniel!