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Did you just hear that?

No, I’m serious.  Be quiet for a second.  Listen.

There it is again.

A faint, subtle whisper.  A twitter of a sound.

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You want to know what it is?  It’s the sound of me selling out to social media.

Because if there’s one thing I learned at BlogHer.  It’s that sometimes you need to sell your soul if you really want to make it in the blogosphere.

In my case, I only sold half my soul.  Solely because the other half has already been stolen by the Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program.  I would have sold my first born child as well.  To make up for only having half a soul.  But, uh.  Yeah.  The MD-PhD Program has first dibs on that one too.

But really, and here’s my philosophical query of the day, does one need both a soul and a Twitter account?  Doesn’t that seem kind of…greedy?

005

Sure the first tweet felt kind of sleazy.

And I asked myself, “Jo.  Does anyone really care that you just met Pioneer Woman?  Or that she is actually as gorgeous in person as she is on the cover of her book?  Or that she asked for your card?  And apologized for staring at your breasts just to see your name tag?  And took a picture with you that is on Eliana’s camera because, hey!  Eliana’s camera is a DSLR while yours is a point-and-shoot.  Which would you rather take a picture of Pioneer Woman with?”

But by my 25th tweet.  In the span of 24 hours.  I realized that all along, while I thought I was opposed to Twitter for all sorts of moral reasons.  I was really just opposed to it because I was trying to suppress my inner attention whore.

Well, ladies and gentlemen.  Get ready.  Because she has busted.  Out.

010

Basically, what I mean to say.  Is that BlogHer10 was amazing.  I hung out with some of my favorite bloggers – Eliana, Lauren, and Mo.  Was semi-starstruck by others, whose blogs I’ve read for a long time – Roni, Kath, Tina, Sabrina, Shannon.  And met a whole slew of others whose blogs I will now be fanatically reading because they are.  Well.  Awesome.  I attended sessions on writing (one led by Dianne Jacob – mindblowing), fitness, how to raise a family of foodie gourmands, and monetizing.

It was really just a whirlwind.  And reaffirmed for me why it is that I’m doing this.  Because I love it.  I love writing, I love reading, I love eating, and most of all I love sharing it with all of you.

We have created this world.  This amazing, amazing world.

Constructed it out of words.

Sent it across the airwaves in shimmers of light and sound.

And somehow.  Took it from nothing.  And made it real.

Thanks all of you for reading and for always inspiring me.  Every day.  All the time.

I appreciate it.

019

And to show my thanks.  To really, really show it.  I give you these pina colada cupcakes.  Buttery light fluffy coconut cupcakes.  With a pineapple cream cheese frosting.  Amazing.  I may have eaten five before giving them to Mari for her birthday.  And by “may have” I mean “absolutely definitely have”.

Now please excuse me.  I have to go twitter about them.

Pina Colada Cupcakes
Makes 12, adapted from Annie’s Eats

2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp coconut extract
4 egg whites
2/3 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
2/3 cup fresh pineapple chunks
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, or to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.  Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt).  Set aside.

2. Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, making sure to scrape down the sides as you go.

3. Mix in a third of the flour mixture.  Then add half of the milk.  Repeat until all of the flour and milk are mixed in.  Stir in the vanilla and coconut extracts.  Stir in the shredded coconut.

4. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until they are stiff enough that peaks form.  Using a rubber spatula, fold 1/2 of the egg whites into the batter.  Once incorporated, stir in the other half.  Pour the batter into the cupcake liners.

5. Bake until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 15 minutes.  Allow to cool on a wire rack before icing.

6. For the frosting: Puree the pineapple chunks in a blender until absolutely smooth.  In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Mix in the pineapple puree.  Mix in the powdered sugar until the desired taste and consistency is reached.  Store in the fridge to allow to harden until cupcakes are completely cool.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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97 Responses to Pina Colada Cupcakes

  1. Jen says:

    awesome recipe! awesome post! you are such a great writer. Isn’t pioneer woman the BEST!? It was so nice to see you 🙂 it was a great conference, I am still jumpy from everything! I just added you to my twitter yesterday 🙂

  2. The cupcakes look great. I have been trying to avoid the twitter for so long now…maybe one day 😉

  3. janet says:

    Lovely! Sounds like a fabulous conference. 🙂
    Will you put your blogging conferences on your CV? – teehee

    I have yet to succumb to twitter, yet, or a cell phone either for that matter… 😉

  4. newlywed says:

    omg. you met the pioneer woman. that made me say omg like i’m 14.

  5. Kim says:

    I’m so happy for you that you got to meet PW! Sounds like you had a great time.

    These cupcakes are making me very hungry, Joanne! I am a big fan of cream cheese frosting, but with pineapple it sounds over the top delicious. You’re making me want to eat five of them too!!

  6. Pam says:

    Way to go! What a fun thing! The cupcakes look fantastic too!

  7. girlichef says:

    Sounds like BlogHer was amazing! And these cupcakes sound so great, sell-out 😉 said the pot to the kettle….

  8. These sound so yummy! I was planning to make some margarita cupcakes for a bbq I am attending next week, but after reading this, I may just have to reconsider!

  9. Yosha says:

    Oh man I have successfully ignored twitter until now! I am not sure if I should curse or frantically google how to follow twitter, because really that’s how much I’ve stayed out of that world you are sucking me into! 🙂

    Can’t wait to see pics of blogher (pioneer women?! Really? Sigh.)

    Cupcakes look fantastic and sounds delicious! is the colour from the pineapples?

  10. Ameena says:

    I sold out not too long ago, mainly because my tech-obsessed husband told me I had to otherwise I’d be missing a huge chance to promote absolutely nothing worthwhile. I couldn’t resist.

    The cupcakes look fabulous and gorgeous! I want one at 6:57am.

  11. Kristen says:

    I am still on the fence about twitter. I tweet, but I am not sure I am successful…mainly because I am not connected to my phone. Long story. Anyhoo, thrilled you got to go to Blogher and mix with the bigwigs. And of course, the cupcakes look divine.

  12. Swathi says:

    This post making me thinking of joining the social sites. I skeptical, how i am going to tweet. I need to learn. Pinacolda cup cake looks awesome, beautiful and sure taste delicious.

  13. Amy says:

    Twitter sucked me in a while back, the bastard. It’s like a black hole. How in the world you’re going to find time to be on there and read more blogs is beyond me!

    I was just informed that Paul will need to attend a conference for work the exact same dates as BlogHer in SF, so unless I can find someone to watch my offspring, I won’t be able to go. I. Am. So. Bummed.

  14. Debbie says:

    The cupcakes look fantastic. I would love one of those now. Just the name of them sounds so good! I met Ree back in June when she came to northern Va for a book signing. She is as pretty and sweet in person and she comes across on her blog!

  15. sra says:

    That colour is incredible!

    I don’t know what to say on Twitter that I don’t say elsewhere, so I’ve abandoned it. There’s a link to my blog too but I get no traffic from it!

  16. Julie says:

    Sounds like you had a fabulous time! I twitter, but I don’t get it, so I think that means I haven’t sold my soul. These cupcakes make me want to get caught in the rain.

  17. elra says:

    A truly fine cupcakes, pineapple makes it even mouthwatering.

  18. Cara says:

    Pina Colada cupcakes – but where is the rum?! How ironic is it that I also made a batch of pina colada cupcakes this weekend? But mine are essentially the opposite! I did pineapple-rum-cake-cupcakes (with pineapple rum in the batter + spiced rum syrup brushed on top of the cakes) and coconut cream cheese frosting – with coconut rum in there! Ohmygosh, I used three kidns of rum – well, I suppose I made up for your lack of use.

    Signed,
    Boozebag

  19. Bridgett says:

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I’m so happy for you! These cupcakes would go nicely with my morning tea. Mind sending one my way? lol

  20. Alisa says:

    So glad BlogHer was fun and glad you are on Twitter!

    And you’re welcome … but this is how you thank? Taunting me with gorgeous cupcakes at 8:30am. Cruel Joanne, just cruel 🙂

  21. Jo, you do realize, many people, would be awestruck, if they met you.

    I am glad BlogHer was inspiring for you. You did get to meet some great bloggers.

    These cupcakes are fantastic.

  22. Mo Diva says:

    OMG Mari must have died and gone to heaven!

    PDubs stared at your boobs CLASSIC. lol.
    youre one of my faves too mamacita.

    If i learned anything at BlogHer…its that i dont tweet enough. Now im tweeting whenever i can… i just got a message from a reader telling me to update my acct… still learning this twitter shit.

    Oh and if you have notes on the monetizing one i would LOVE deets or somethign! xoxox

  23. So unique and interesting cup cakes.sounds really good…

  24. Giovanna says:

    I love pina coladas! Your cupcakes look wonderful and it’s good not to suppress your inner attention whore, I honestly think that’s what makes some people crazy, just not letting go sometimes! Twitter on girl !

  25. Stella says:

    Hey Joanne, did you just now get a Twitter account? I don’t have one (or Facebook). I’m not ‘older or of a certain generation’ either, so I get a lot of flack for this from people my age or close to it… I kind of feel like you were describing about it though-I need to pinpoint why??? I’m not an attention lover I don’t think. Hmm… I’ll figure it out.
    Anyway, your cupcakes look wonderful-pineapple and cream cheese really does sound kind of tantalizing right now to my almost sugar free blood stream (smile)…

  26. Suman Singh says:

    these cupcakes looks amazing..love that pineapple frosting on it, so beautiful..

    Good to know that you had great time at Blogher and it was inspiring to you…

  27. pajamachef says:

    hilarious. oh twitter. i just made an account earlier in the year and don’t use it very much. maybe i should start. my husband makes fun of me for having one, oh well. thanks for stopping by my blog too!

  28. Golly, your pina colada cupcakes put mine to shame. I’m also super new to Twitter but I’m glad you’re on there too. It’s nice to have Twitter newbie friends 🙂

  29. What a fun cupcake flavor, they look very pretty too!

  30. Raina says:

    I cannot believe you were not on Twitter before; I just assumed because you are young; I thought everyone younger than me was on Twitter..lol I, of course, am not on Twitter but not because I object to it just because I am technologically challenged; I am still trying to figure out blogging:)

    Your cupcakes look amazing yummy! I cannot wait to try those babies.

    You met Pioneer Woman! She is great!

  31. Megan says:

    Pina Coladas! What a perfect cupcake for summer.

    Too bad summer’s almost over.

    For me, anyway.

    How’s that for a happy thought? 🙂

  32. Juliana says:

    Oh Joanne, these cupcakes look so cute and must taste delicious…pinacolada…yum!

  33. Lea Ann says:

    How fun to meet PW. My posts automatically tweet themselves…but I have to admit, I don’t “get” twitter. I can’t figure out how you’re supposed to keep up with everyone you follow.

  34. Monet says:

    What a lovely post…the blog world is such an important space we’ve created and its wonderful that you were able to celebrate it. And these cupcakes sound perfect…a tropical celebration.

  35. Ann says:

    Wow – PW!! And Blog Her!!! Lucky you. I couldn’t keep up with twitter. I royally deleted my account a few weeks ago. I don’t get it, I felt like you had to be in front of the screen 24/7 watching everyone else’s updates.

  36. Did I ever tell you how much I love your blog?? Well, I do! It’s been waaaay too long! & Mari is way too lucky!! These cupcakes look so light and fluffy! And, pina coloda … c’mon, yummy!!! You never disappoint!!

  37. Jodi says:

    Wow! These cupcakes look and sound amazing! Thanks for visiting my blog as well! I am jealous of you for meeting Ree! Glad you were able to do that! Thanks for the recipe!

  38. Ty'sMommy says:

    Yay! Welcome to Twitter, Joanne! Where’s your “follow me” link? I want to check out your tweets, too. After all, we attention whores DO have to stick together. 🙂

  39. Welcome to the evil world of twitter! And, thank you for the cupcakes. These flavors sound just delicious!

  40. RamblingTart says:

    Joanne, I’m so happy to see you on twitter! I get a little smile whenever one of your tweets comes through because you’re like a familiar face, a dear old friend in the stream of strangers. Love it. 🙂

  41. Faith says:

    I’m so glad you had an amazing time! I really need to get on board with Twitter too, lol!

    The cupcakes are gorgeous!

  42. Sounds like you had a great time at the conference and lucky for us we got these wonderful cupcakes.

  43. grace says:

    know what i hear? ‘if you like pina coladas…and getting caught in the rain…’ 🙂
    glad you had a nice experience at the conference.

  44. Can’t wait to see the photo! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and learning experience. There have been some of those things that I have been slow to adapt myself but have been thinking about for quite some time. Hard to get the feet moving forward sometimes!

    Yes, I’d love a cupcake, thank you.

  45. Jessie says:

    Mmm, I saw these cupcakes on Sophia’s blog and I’ve been thinking about them ever since! Will you promise to make me cupcakes for my birthday? I promise I won’t stalk you. Much. 😉

    I’m glad you had a great time at blogher!

  46. Kelsey says:

    when i get married one day i wanna enlist you as my cupcake maker/ wedding baker! these are just too pretty!! <3

    btw, you can totally call me Kels, in fact, it would be cool if more people did 🙂

    xoxo

  47. OohLookBel says:

    Twitter’s alright – as long as you don’t get addicted! And I just love those cupcakes; you can almost *hear* a little sizzle from the frosting, just like a real pina colada.

  48. I’m so jealous that you got to go to BlogHer! It sounds like so much fun. (AND you got to meet Pioneer Woman and have your pic taken with her.) I don’t Twitter…I just don’t think I’d be able to keep up with another “thing!” Those cupcakes really do look delicious too. So tempting- I love pina coladas. I just bought a pineapple today- serendipidy!

  49. Julie says:

    i saw these on mari’s blog!!! i think? right?!

    WHY didn’t i get one!!!!!!!! hahaha i’m kidding but they do look gorgeous.

    another gorgeous thing. me following you on twitskies as of 10 seconds ago

  50. Justin says:

    ha, i just saw that photo with you, Eliana and Pioneer Woman. sounds like a good time.

  51. I still have not gotten on the Twitter bandwagon. I don’t have time for what I do NOW!

    So glad you had a great time, I’m SOOOOO jealous! So are we going to see some of these photos?

    The cupcakes look amazing!! Thanks!

  52. Esi says:

    Super fun cupcakes!

  53. teresa says:

    lucky! you got to meet the pw! i haven’t done twitter yet either, perhaps someday…

    LOVE the cupcakes, i’m up for pina colada in any form!

  54. These look amazing!! I am glad you had a blast at Blogher. I promise the next time I am in NY I will come visit.

  55. Kerstin says:

    Such pretty cupcakes and a fantastic flavor combo! I’m glad you’re on twitter! It took me over a year of my hubby pestering me to join, but it’s kind of fun 🙂

  56. tigerfish says:

    I still can’t get a hang of Twitter – it’s like we have to update what we are doing and announce it to the whole world :O

  57. How exciting! I’m so jealous! Sounds like BlogHer was amazing. Thanks for the post…look me up on twitter: @asweetpeachef 🙂

  58. Nessie says:

    I’m holding out. I’m still on the Say no to Twitter bandwagon. But I’m pretty sure I’ll cave eventually. So thanks for paving the way 🙂 Cannot believe you got to meet pioneer woman. I was pretty sure she couldn’t actually exist because she’s just too perfect.

  59. So funny! I was morally opposed to twitter too… until I joined…
    Glad you had such a great time at BlogHer, please pass me a cupcake. Thanks!

  60. Marisa says:

    Welcome to the dark side dear Twitter noob! Awesome to have you there. 😀

  61. These cupcakes look sophisticated and gorgeous!

  62. Katerina says:

    I love Pina Colada and I am sure I will love these cupcakes. You are so lucky to participate to this blogger conference and meet all these interesting people. I hope one day we can unite and make an international event for all food bloggers around the world.

  63. Good morning! Thanks for stopping by–you brighten my day (you remind me of my son who lived in NYC and loved it and would like to return and my sweet niece and her med school days and her love of cooking) with your delicious recipes and witty repartee. I rarely get to use “ennui or torpor” in a sentence in a day but think everyone should!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  64. Sanem says:

    I’m glad you’re on Twitter… Following you now.. 🙂

  65. These cupcakes look amazing!! That yellow frosting is so beautiful. I noticed the second you signed on with Twitter. It is an amazing world we have all created. Without it we never would have “met.” I hope to experience BlogHer with you some day 🙂 xo
    I would love it if you joined up in my Stonyfield Yogurt Contest. Details are on my blog.

  66. Biren says:

    Sounds like Blogher was amazing! I would love to attend something like that.

    Thse cupcakes look amazing too with pineapples and coconut. BTW, I do enjoy your blog and love your elegant recipes…yes, elegant!

  67. I have a Twitter account, but I suppose I really need to use it to make it work for me. Sounds like you had fun at BlogHer!!!LOve the cupcakes too Joanna!!

  68. =D

    if you like pina coladas…..
    =D

    anyways, YEAH that’s what i thought re: meeting the family. sheesh! someone did ask him when he was gonna mmake it official and he just shrugged.

    SERIOUSLY someone who don’t like chinese foods/asian food? DENIED.

  69. Mary says:

    It sounds like you learned a lot at the conference. I gladly accept one of those wonderful cupcakes. I’m on my way to read the blogs that you’ve recommended. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary

  70. Chef Dennis says:

    I was singing take me away to margaritaville when I saw those cupcakes! and I would hold on to what ever is left of your soul, you never know when you might need it…..as for twitter, I must admit I am just too lazy to make my own posts, I just forward things…sigh….only so many hours in the day…..and I am sure I would have been looking at your nametag too!

  71. Wonderful cupcake recipe. Love the colors as well. Great photo!

  72. Sippity Sup says:

    You have created an amazing world. GREG

  73. Laurie says:

    Now this is having your cake and eating it too.. lovely and delicious!!

  74. Reeni says:

    You are the inspiration girl! And blogging has become like a full-time job – so many things to do and never enough time…

    Your cupcakes are dreamy. Love the flavors and your decorating is so pretty!

  75. polwig says:

    I am thinking of selling myself to twitter too… crazy I don’t even understand it but you do what you have to… in the meantime I will make myself some of these amazing cupcakes and dream about attending BlogHer11

  76. Cynthia says:

    I am so jealous you got to go!!! I have been resisting twitter too…I don’t have much of a soul left since I’ve sold it too many times to count. These cupcakes sound heavenly! Like summer in a cupcake!

  77. I always thought going to BlogHer would be a blast, but I’m more jealous that you got to meet PW. Like, blood pressure rising envy. How amazing for you!!

    Oh, and congrats that you were featured on Frigidaire! I just realized today that I wasn’t subscribed to your blog. How lame am I. I kept wondering why I didn’t see you pop up very often in my reader. Duh, Natalie. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments, too. You’re a doll. I’ll try to be better about reciprocating. 🙂

  78. at first i was skeptical…and then i’ve met so many good friends over twitter. enjoy! 😀

    pineapple cream cheese frosting! i’m sold!

  79. theUngourmet says:

    How exciting that you got to hang with PW for a bit! I forget to tweet most of the time but my fb feeds into twitter so the work is done for me….or maybe my blog feeds..or both?? I get confused. Glad you had a good time and your cupcakes look fabulous!

  80. wow!!! have to have to make it….thanks to lazaro…we are here and love your blog…happy to follow you!

  81. Chris says:

    Did you get to hang out with Jaden Hair? She’s my favorite celeb food blogger.

    I tried making this recipe you posted but I didn’t read the instructions well and threw the cooked cupcakes into a blender with ice. How come you didn’t warn me? 😉

  82. Carolyn Jung says:

    A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I don’t think you’re selling out. And hey, welcome to the zany and fun world of Twitter. 😉

  83. Debinhawaii says:

    Loving the cupcakes–all of my favorite flavors. Happy to see you on Twitter and awesome that you had such a great conference experience. Why don’t they ever have them here in Hawaii?! 😉

  84. Cornflake says:

    Wow I’m so amazed with all the inspiration I’m getting from blogs devoted to cooking. Absolutely amazing recipe and it looks incredible – great photos!! 🙂

  85. MaryMoh says:

    Love your post and cupcakes. Are those little green mountains on top reminding me of something….haha. Must be something to do with biology 😛

  86. Lori says:

    So glad you got to go to BlogHer! It sounds like such a great event. I want to make it at some point.

    I love Twitter and I’m glad to see you on there! Honeslty, it has been an incredibly helpful resource for keeping up with health information, current trends and also for travel. Then there are all the cool people I’ve been exposed to. I’ve gotten so many leads and even a gig from it.

    Love these cupcakes. This is my husband’s favorite flavor so I need to give them a try.

  87. I’m still a twitter hold out (how long will I last haha). Glad you enjoyed the conference and got to hang out with some of your fav bloggers. These cupcakes look really fun and delicious!

  88. Happy to hear you had such a good time at BlogHer! Pineapple cream cheese frosting?! Yummm I need these cupcakes!

  89. Hannah says:

    What fun decorations, they’re so vibrant and cheerful! 🙂

  90. sweetlife says:

    how fun, love that you met ree…loveing these cupackes…

    sweetlife

  91. vanillasugar says:

    ok now these are right up my flavor alley. love it. and almond milk eh? i’m loving it.

  92. These cupcakes sound delicious! I made a set of pina colada cupcakes awhile back as well and the flavors definitely work in cake form. YUM.

  93. Muneeba says:

    You met Ree??? *picking jaw up off the floor*
    Jo, u know I love ya, right? Well, right now I’m jealous. Tres tres jealous. But not scratch-your-eyes-out type … nah uh, never .. more like squirming-in-my-chair-wishing-I-was-there type!
    Gawd, I wish we could chat … I’d pick your brain abt everything u learned at the conference. I could use some serious tips.

  94. Victoria K. says:

    You’re killing me! The coconut/pineapple combo is one of my favorites (in fact along with chocolate chips those are my Pink Berry toppings of choice, haha). Glad you had fun at BlogHer. I’ve actually known Sabrina since high school, haha, small world.

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