Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Almond Joy Cupcakes!

Pin It Now!

I've had this idea in my head for about 6 months. I spent many of my commutes home from work thinking of how I would make an "Almond Joy" inspired cupcake. Should it be chocolate cake with coconut frosting?...or maybe coconut cake with chocolate-almond frosting?

I finally decided to use white cake with a little bit of coconut extract added. Then add some chopped up Almond Joy candy bars (minus the almond) to the half filled cup...
and then top with more cake batter. I imagined biting into a gooey chocolaty-coconut filling. YUM!!!
This is what I was worried about...all the filling sunk to the bottom of the cupcake! Oh well...sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself when your bright ideas don't turn out so well! They still tasted good...really good!
I added a little almond extract to the chocolate butter cream frosting. I used the frosting recipe on the back of the Hershey's Cocoa Powder box. Then I topped them off with a little toasted coconut.
Luckily my coworkers don't mind my less-than-perfect baking experiments!

54 comments:

Trish in Mountain View said...

Chocolate chip cookies were invented by a woman who thought the chips would melt throughout the cookie. So maybe you are really on to something!

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Oh Cindy what a fabulous idea!
When I was expecting our third child I craved almond joy candy bars! I just could'nt get enough chocolate and coconut!
Yummy!
I will be trying this recipe!

Thanks for sharing!

XO
Dolly

Pearl Maple said...

Yumm!
Am pretty sure that you are safe from anyone complaining half way though these tasty cupcakes that the chocolate drited towards the bottom, looking like a great coffee break treat at your place!

Karin said...

Mmmm, Almond Joys are one of my favorites. Those cupcakes look soo good right now! Most people won't be turning their cupcake upside down, so I don't see a problem, it didn't affect taste, so I think you've got a winner!

Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog said...

I love the candy-inspired theme! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't mind a cupcake experiment at work either :).

Terri Steffes said...

Your coworkers are lucky people!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

MMMM....I love almond joys and those cupcakes look wonderful. I don't know if this would help, but I learned from Ina Garten that if you drege the filling in a little flour, it keeps it from going to the bottom. Might work next time...

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Hi Cindy,
I am sure they don't mind, they look pretty delectable to me. My
mouth is watering!!
Who cares if the chocolate is on the bottom, the main thing is you get the chocolate!! ha
I love almond joys, they are one of my favorite candy bars but I only eat them rarely now since my
hubbies heart problems. I may have to have one soon tho! ha
Have a good day and enjoy those
cupcakes. Yum Yum!!
Blessings, Nellie

Pug1 said...

Those look dee-lish! CHEERS!!! Michele

Marilyn said...

Almonds and chocolate are my BEST FRIENDS. In a cupcake, yum! And served on a silver platter, yet. Where do you work? I might apply--just for YOUR treats! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

YUMMY, OK' I just gained like 5 lbs. looking at them ha!

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Cindy...I am sure your co workers are thrilled when you bring any type of treat in! They look fabulous and I am sure they taste the same. ~Patti

Thompson Tales said...

I decided that I need to be one of your coworkers, you seem to always bring in such yummy treats!!! I have been following your blog for months now, and you never cease to amaze me, you are truly a wonderful, talented lady!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh these look yummy and with the almond joy pieces being at the bottom they will be "good to the last bite!"

blessings
mary

Kathleen Grace said...

My mouth stated watering as soon as you said that you chopped up Almond Joy candy and put it in the batter! I don't care if they sink, I'd eat those!

Lynn said...

Oh no, I read about those yummy cupcakes before supper and now my lovely salad and grapes for dessert will never measure up. I could actually taste them looking at the beautiful picture!

caren said...

Sounds yummy since I love almond joy candy bars! It's okay if they aren't perfect - it's the taste that matters. I'm impressed you could figure it out!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Oh, my gosh, these look delicious! I love Almond Joys. You are so creative, Cindy!

akawest said...

My daughter walked in just as the cupcake photo was loading. The sight of those yummy treats sent her to the freezer for an ice cream bar. Yep, we are without self-control when it comes to sugar.

Cindy said...

Oh yummy!!! Almond Joy is my favorite chocolate bar! I shall have to try that! Hugs, ~cindy s~

just a little bit shabby said...

Cindy,
I have the solution! Turn them upside down and frost that side then the candy is on the top!!
Right?? They look good to me no matter which end is up!!
Sandy

Gayla said...

Okay. Where do you work? haha..!!! Those look absolutely heavenly! Did you make mini ones or full ones?

Ana~A Petite Cottage said...

Hi Cindy,
They look delicious. Yum!! But girl how can you bake in this heat? My oven is off limits until winter. Too Hot!!!


Ana♥

Linda said...

Those look fabulous and oh so yummy! There is a way to make them without it going to the bottom. You fill the cupcake 1/2 full without the almond joy and bake...then add the almond joy and the remaining batter..then finish baking. Wahlah!! It works and the AJ is in the middle.

Hugas...Linda

Anonymous said...

Wow love your oh so creative idea!

when Ina puts chocolate chips or candy bits or dried fruits in batter she tosses them with a little flour so they don't sink to the bottom of the batter. Just thought this may work for next time you make some more of these yummy cupcakes! Thanks for always supplying us with such fun eye candy!!!

Bunny said...

We for heavens sake these look so darn yummy. You created a wonderful cupcake. Must try them someday. Bravo girl.

Elenka said...

Filling goes to the bottom, stays put, or rises to the top. It's all good, no? (as long as it didn't fly outa there completely!

Anonymous said...

A little flour coated on smaller chunks will help it stop from sinking.. Ohhhh i can taste them now.

How is the bedroom placement going?

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Oh, Cindy, those look so good!

Skoots1moM said...

scrumptious, simply scrumptious...what were some of the comments made as they ate them?! I know they were enjoying every bite :)

J'Ollie Primitives said...

...making them for breakfast in the morning....yum

Cindy said...

Ana, it's only been in the mid 70s here for weeks. It's been such a wonderful, mild summer! I can actually use my oven in August! yay!

Penny Sue said...

Dear Miss Cindy, I didn't check out the other comments that 33 people left you... I'm hoping I'm the first... "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!" It looks like a great idea you've got going there. Did you do a search on google or something to see if there's anything out there for your recipe. Also, things that might sink to the bottom of batter, it is suggested that you toss them lightly in flour, or 10X sugar.... like raisins, blueberries, and stuff like that. It helps give them grip when the get in the batter instead of just slipping and sliding all the way to the bottom of the pan? Just a suggestion. Hugs to you... and if you try it again, just give my idea a try. OK? Penny Sue

DreamgirlLisa said...

I think they came out fabulous, such a pretty plate of yummy cupcakes! Great idea too, you keep me inspired!

Anonymous said...

I hope I were one of the lucky taster of all your yummy baking experiments LOL.

I saw once on barefoot Contessa where when she folded chopped chocolates into the batter. To avoid them sinking she dusted some flour first into the chocolates before folding them in. Do you happen to see that episode? That was along time ago and not quite sure anymore. I don't even remember what she was baking at that time LOL.

Rebecca @ Belle Blog said...

where do you work? mmmmm those look yummy. i bake a lot and one thing i have learned is that most things still taste delicious even if they don't turn out quite as expected. Maybe you could bake the bottom layer of cake batter for a couple of minutes before adding the chopped candy and the top layer of cake batter. Anyway i'm sure no one was complaining, they look so good.
♥ Rebecca

Gail McCormack said...

You're killing me Cindy
I'm meant to be on this never ending Healthy no fat ...blah blah blah .... way of eating plan
I just want to eat all of your Almond Joy Cupcakes, good thing I'm way over here in Australia out of temptations way!

The Stylish House said...

Cindy,
My diet says that you are an evil temptress, but this looks so delicious!
Cathy

Volunteer opportunities said...

OMG!!! I really love eating almonds but i never thought it could be in cupcakes. It sounds great!!! Can post the procedure on how to make it? LOL!!!

Mary @ Framed and Tagged said...

They sound wonderful!!...I think when I make them I will coat the pieces of almond joy with flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom? Worth a try.
Thanks for sharing....:)

Cindy in Albuquerque said...

Oooh - these look good and I've been thinking about cupcakes. Remember your chocolate zucchini cake from last year? I made it as half a sheet cake I took to work and half as cupcakes. I sprinkled chocolate chips on top of the cupcakes and froze them. About 15 seconds on defrost and they would be warm with gooey little bits of chocolate on top - perfect 'little' dessert - now I'm torn between them and this!
Cindy in Albuqeurque

Hafija said...

They look so delicious, so mouth watering!!

Greetings
Hafija

Cottage Rose said...

Hey they look pretty darn yummy to me. I love how your mind works. I love cup cakes and almond joy, and two together wow they look very tasty.... Hey look how peanut butter and chocolate got together and gave up the Recces cups... you could be the next big thing...... wow...

Have a great weekend.

Hugs;
Alaura

Melissa Miller said...

Yummy! I LOVE AJ! Great idea.

Paper Hearts said...

Those look so good! Your making me want to bake and I'm not really a baker kinda gal. My daughter is wanting to start baking with me....so wish me luck in our new baking adventures!

Anonymous said...

They look yummy to me :)

Thanks for sharing the idea.

Sandra

A Southern Rose said...

These look delicious! I just started my diet today and then I saw this! LOL I think that I will go and eat an apple!

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

stagingworks2009 said...

Cindy..I wish I could visit your home and have some of these. Thanks for sharing your nice ideas on Cupcakes. Visit this also Home Staging Tips

The Liberty Belle said...

Yum! I sure wish I had one of your tempting cupcakes right now. They look wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I bet they were as delicious as they were pretty!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Cindy~ ~ ~This looks like a great idea. I'm always in the mood for another cupcake recipe.
Thanks~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Those look so good Cindy. Lately I've been on such a coconut kick! My daughter is the baker in my house, I'll have to show her those!

Dreams and Decor said...

Hi, Cindy: These look scrumptious! I actually have a RECIPE for Almond Joy cake that tastes just like the candy bar. Everytime I make it, everyone loves it! I will email you the recipe! Patti

Anonymous said...

So I realize that I am seriously late posting this, but if you cook the cupcakes for 7-8 min then take them out then push the almond joy down into the semi-cooked cake, it will stay more in the center.

These look yummy!