Blueberry-Coconut Bundt ~ #BundtAMonth

I learned something about myself on Friday. I’m getting old, and I’m so not hardcore. I don’t stay up late, wake up with hangovers, go clubbing, sky dive, or bungie jump. And you know what? I’m okay with that.

I’m more of a sit-back-and-watch-the-crazies while slowly sipping on a cocktail kind of gal. I realized just how non-hardcore I am when Squirrel and I were at the Limp Bizkit concert on Friday evening. I was standing against the rail on the second tier balcony above the stage so I would have a decent view of the stage and sort of seclude myself from the crowd. Thank goodness I did, because as soon as the show started, the crowd went bonkers. Like, gigantic mosh pit bonkers! I’ve been to several concerts, none of which have been as rowdy and wild as this one. I watched a guy leap over the second floor railing as if he could fly. Well…he couldn’t. He ended up landing on some poor innocent soul on the first floor. Crazy! I would have feared for my life if I wasn’t safely isolated upstairs and away from the crowd of wild monkeys.

I had a great view of the crowd from the second floor. Looking down over the rail, all I could see was a sea of people swaying back and forth like rolling waves, their heads bobbing up and down with the beat of the music. My brother-in-law was brave enough to face the crowd of wild monkeys. Squirrel and I? Not so much. I would have been trampled, kicked, and knocked around like a weightless rag-doll. I would have drowned in the sea of people. But not my brother-in-law. I watched him bump and sway with the crowd. I watched him like a hawk, fearful that he may go down and never resurface. He was a crowd-surfing trooper. I was in awe of his bravery.

I may not be a hardcore, crowd surfing diva, but I’m hardcore in other, less brutal ways. I can garden with the best of them. I’m a hardcore vegetable planter. Does that count? I can mix a cocktail like no other. How about that? Does that count as hardcore?

I know one thing. I’m a hardcore foodie–always have been, always will be. Who needs crowd surfing when you have baking skills?

Blueberry Coconut Bundt | www.themessybakerblog.com-7143

This month’s #BundtaMonth theme is berries, and since blueberries are one of my favorite berries, I decided to bake a blueberry-coconut bundt.

Blueberry Coconut Bundt | www.themessybakerblog.com-7145

This bundt recipe was inspired by this very delicious blueberry muffin recipe I made a few weeks ago from Honey What’s Cooking? The muffins were so good that I had to create something else that combined the flavors of blueberry and coconut.

Blueberry Coconut Bundt | www.themessybakerblog.com-7142

The slightly sweet cake is buttery with a moist, tender crumb. Each bite is bursting with sweet blueberries and flecks of toasted coconut. I added a bit of lemon zest to brighten up the cake and add an extra layer of flavor.

I consider this the perfect breakfast cake. It’s not too sweet and pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea.

Blueberry Coconut Bundt | www.themessybakerblog.com-7151

Enjoy!

Don’t forget to check out the other berrilicious bundts:

We have a berrilicious theme this month for #bundt-a-month. 14 gorgeous cakes using berries in every form will be inspiration enough for you to bake with us this month.

Here ís how you can be a part of Bundt-a-Month:
• Simple rule: Use your favorite berries or a combination of two and bake us a Bundt for May
• Post it before May 31, 2013
• Use the #BundtaMonth hashtag in your title. (For ex: title could read #BundtaMonth: Cherry Bundt)
• Add your entry to the Linky tool below
• Link back to our announcement posts

Even more bundt fun! Follow Bundt-a-Month on Facebook where we feature all our gorgeous bundt cakes. Or head over to our Pinterest board for inspiration and choose from hundreds of Bundt cake recipes.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Blueberry-Coconut Bundt
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Recipe type: Cake
Serves: 8

Ingredients
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup toasted coconut
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup sugar (I used Zulka)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1½ cups blueberries (do not thaw if using frozen)
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ cup coconut

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and toasted coconut. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Add vanilla and lemon zest; beat to combine.
  4. Scrape down the bowl. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture in 3 batches, alternating and ending with the buttermilk. Scrape down the bowl and give it one more whisk.
  5. Fold in the blueberries.
  6. Add the sliced almonds and ¼ cup of coconut flakes to the bottom of the bundt pan. Transfer the batter to the bundt, directly over the almond/coconut mixture. Smooth the batter with a rubber spatula.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes; transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Slice and eat.

 



Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies

I have a ton laundry to do! It’s a never ending chore in this house. How two people create such a mass amount of dirty clothes is beyond me, but I have several piles of sorted clothes on the basement floor to prove it. I’m a gigantic procrastinator. I always have been, so until I’m out of undies, the clothes will remain unwashed.

Instead of hauling my booty downstairs to do the laundry, I’m going to sit here and chat with you guys about cookies, which is way better than folding socks.

I adore oatmeal cookies, with their nutty flavor and chewy texture, who could resist? Not this gal. I wanted to create what I consider to be the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe. One that’s chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. This recipe is everything I ever wanted in an oatmeal cookie.

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies | www.themessybakerblog.com-6592

I found dried blueberries at Costco the other day, so I decided to impart the flavors of spring into my newly created oatmeal cookie recipe. I added a generous helping of dried blueberries and white chocolate chips to mix. I also boosted the vanilla extract to give the cookies a creamy flavor and sprinkled in some lemon zest to brighten them up. They’re amazing!

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies | www.themessybakerblog.com-6600

I tested these cookies by baking them directly after mixing up the batter and after chilling them in the refrigerator for an hour. I found that both versions of the cookie taste and bake up equally the same. So, if you’re having a major cookie craving, go ahead and bake away.

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies | www.themessybakerblog.com-6594

These cookies were instantly gobbled up by family and friends. Every single person fell in love with them and proceeded to shove cookie after cookie into their faces.

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies | www.themessybakerblog.com-6610

Serve with a big ol’ cup of cold milk, and you have yourself a delicious snack. Enjoy!

5.0 from 3 reviews

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal Cookies
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Recipe type: Cookies

Ingredients
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room-temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1½ cups old-fashioned oats
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup dried blueberries

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment or silicon mats.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, lemon zest, and oats. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer attached with a paddle, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the egg until incorporated. Whisk in vanilla extract.
  4. Turn the mixer down to a low speed and slowly add the flour mixture in two batches, scraping down the bowl after each addition.
  5. Fold in the blueberries and white chocolate chips.
  6. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the parchment or silicon lined baking sheets, leaving 3 inches between each dough ball.
  7. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown in color. Do not over bake or you risk the cookies being crunchy and not chewy. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. **Note: The dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days in an airtight container.

 



#MuffinMonday: Blueberry Carrot Muffins

It feels good to be back! Sorry I’ve been gone for so long, but my grandfather was rushed to the hospital last week, and the family rushed up to Pennsylvania to help out. He came home from the hospital Friday evening and is doing well. Thank you all for being so patient.

It may be Monday, but that doesn’t matter, because this gorgeous fall weather has me in a good mood. It doesn’t hurt that it’s #MuffinMonday and I happen to be munchin’ on a delicious blueberry carrot muffin.

Fall is my very favorite season, and I impatiently wait for its arrival every year. The crisp fall air, pumpkins, fresh apples, fall baking, and Starbuck’s pumpkin spice lattes are some of my favorite fall attributes. And, let’s not forget Thanksgiving. It’s only the best holiday of the year- eat all you want without feeling bad. What’s not to love?

Not only are these muffins delicious, they’re healthy, too. They’re full of heart healthy ingredients and sweetened with all-natural maple syrup. You can have your muffin and eat it, too. No feeling bad about this healthy breakfast snack.

The blueberries and carrots create an extremely moist muffin that’s so light they’ll melt in your mouth. I topped them with a sprinkling of coconut to give the crust a sweet, toasty crunch.

Enjoy!

 

 



#MuffinMonday: Blueberry Cinnamon Chip Muffins

Happy #MuffinMonday, y’all!

I’m very excited about this week’s muffin recipe. I made blueberry cinnamon chip muffins, and they are AMAZING! I have a feeling that this recipe is going to become my go-to muffin recipe. They’re the perfect combination of moist, cakey center and crispy, crunchy crust. Absolute perfection.

Why, hello there muffin. Don’t you look delicious. I don’t mind if I do.

My apologies for the muffin sweet talk.

Waking up at 6 a.m. isn’t so dreadful when you have a jumbo-sized muffin waiting for you in the kitchen.

The cinnamon chips are so good in this muffin. They melt into the muffin, creating a burst of cinnamon flavor that pairs so well with the plump, juicy blueberries.

Grab-and-go muffin bowl. Um, yes please. I jumbofied these muffins by using a jumbo muffin tin, so one of these muffins are guaranteed to fill you up in the morning and kick start your brain for the day.

Muffin + Coffee = One satisfied Jennie, ready to start the long work day.

Grab. Go. Enjoy!

Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week. 

 



Smoothie Obsession

My husband and I have a recent obsession with smoothies- like, a serious obsession. Smoothies have some how made their way into our lives (although, I’m not quite sure how), and now we absolutely love the fruity beverage and can’t live without it. I think we have had a smoothie every day for the past week. Total obsession! Matter-of-fact, I’m drinking one right now. Actually, this one- my very berry banana smoothie. It’s super delish.

Not only do smoothies taste delicious, but they’re pretty, too. Depending on what fruit you use, they come in an array of colors. Heck, you may even be able to match a smoothie to what ever outfit your wearing that day. I so don’t do that. Wink!

Smoothies are very versatile. You can use any fruit you like or have on hand. I love adding almonds, oats, or flax meal to my smoothies to give it a boost of protein. The protein helps fill you up and keep you full for a couple of hours. Lately, I’ve been using smoothies as a meal supplement because of my busy school/work schedule. I also drink a smoothie before my zumba class. It fills me up just enough to give me the energy I need for my workout without making me feel nauseous. All you have to do is grab the ingredients your using, throw them in a blender, and buzz. Viola! you have a delicious and filling fruity beverage.

Love and sweet treats,

TMB

This recipe is dedicated to my brother, Mike- the smoothie king!

Recipe:

6 strawberries, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

1 banana, peeled

1/4 cup natural almonds

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tbs. flax meal or oats

2 tbs. honey

1 cup milk

Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Feel free to add some ice if you like it cold and slushy. I happened to use frozen fruit, so it was all ready very cold. Like I said before, play with the ingredients. You can supplement any of these ingredients for the fruit of your choice. Make it your own. Enjoy!

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