The Old Fashioned NEW Betty Crocker

With many loved ones' birthdays coming up within the next few months, I'm trying to get organized and put together something thoughtful for each individual before my family leaves the states. Last year for my brother's birthday, I think we got him the best gift ever: a ticket to fly to So-Cal to stay with his lil-sis and go to a U-2 concert. He just got married, and I just started a new job, so it was a hectic week, but we were all so ecited for this gift. A week before the concert (just after bragging about it to my new boss, mind you) I'm scrubbing at the dishes, when I hear the DJ announce that Sir Bono needed emergency back surgery. =( I'm glad he was OK, but I wished he needed it AFTER Anneheim.

Well, a year later, we're still waiting for this awesome gift to take place. hey, we tried.

I really wanted to drive to San Francisco to surprise my brother, but with this move sneaking up, it's impossible. I knew if I visited, I would make him some cupcakes (since it's my THING), then I get the "Ah-ha" moment. Normally I send friends a "warm delights" with a candle so they can have their cake and eat it too. I decided to take it to the net level.

While I'm brainstorming, I decide to go with German Chocolate cake. Since I can't send his favorite, Gellato, I decided he's never complained about chocolate, and having lived in Germany, I'm sure he appreciates that dessert.

I decided to join my two new passions: cupcakes and canning (See?! I warned you about archaic kitchen methods. I mean, seriously, who DOES that?!). My recipe for the coconut pecan frosting, was simple, and inexpensive, and yielded more frosting than I expected equalling a very happy husband to indulge in the leftovers.

It came out so good. I could just smell the melted butter and evaporated milk the whole time. To quote Rachel Ray: "Yum-o!" Since I simmered it in a sauce pan, it was easy to can, since you need to boil the can afterward.

My chocolate frosting came out nice as well. It's so rich and thick and creamy, however, I'm afraid to send it. I can't boil it to seal, because I'm afraid it would change the consistency, and I can't send it unsealed, because it contains milk. Oops! but I learned something, and now I have some for the house, instead of those cheesy plastic cans and processed frosting.

The ORIGINAL Betty Crocker. I'm sure this is how she intended the use of canned frosting. It's made with more love and meaning and makes a great gift (In my humble opinion)

My failed attempt at brownie pops made the perfect sample for my frostings. It kinda looks like a volcano! =D

*Please no phallus comments. I'm aware it looks like that*

LOL