Mango Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Each month, we get an order from the Community Co-Op. Even though we always give it a good try, it's been known to happen in our home for the fruits and vegetables to sit on the counter or in the fridge until they go bad and have to be thrown out. Quite often the reason is we receive some sort of fruit or vegetable we have no idea what to do with. Take last month, for example, where we received a bunch of leeks. What do you do with those? I think the only time I've ever had leeks was when it was served with something I had ordered in a restaurant. So, Katie went searching for recipes and found a really good leek and cauliflower soup. We've discovered something new.

This gave me an idea. I've given myself the challenge to try and use something each month from our co-op order in a recipe and post it here.

Last week, we received a bunch of mangoes. The only time I have had mangoes was in a mango lassi (a sort of Indian smoothie). Our fourteen year-old, Liam, is the smoothie maker of the family. Maybe I'll have him someday do a guest post on either mago lassis or one of his many creative flavor creations. 

I, however, wanted to use the mangoes in something else. As it turns out, there was another birthday at the office—perfect opportunity to try a new dessert. Caving into pressure to join the cupcake craze, I chose to try out mango cupcakes. 

Happy Birthday, Julie Anne!

The hardest thing about the cupcakes is cutting up the mangoes. I learned how from this guy here. Everyone at the office loved the cupcakes. The mango flavor is really nice, and the cupcakes were very moist. The cream cheese frosting was a perfect compliment. I flavored it with vanilla extract, but if you want to go with a Caribbean theme, I think rum extract would work well.

The cupcakes did stick to the paper liners a bit. I think next time I'll try spraying the liners with a cooking spray.

All in all, this turned out to be a keeper recipe, and I tried something new with mangoes. I'm excited to see what we get in our next co-op order. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

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We've been making this recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle for a long time. In fact, I think we clipped it from a magazine back during our innkeeper days over fifteen years ago. The bed-and-breakfast inn where we worked had a British Isles theme, and to me, trifle is very British. We love this recipe because it's a real show-stopper, it feeds a lot, and it's incredibly easy to make. If you don't have time to make your own pound cake, just pick up a loaf of Sara Lee's at the store. I promise no one will know.

I'm always surprised, however, how many people here in the States have never seen or heard of a trifle. When I made this one for the office recently, there was maybe only one in the group who knew what it was. I think this needs to change, and I'm willing to do my part to spread the love of trifle. I think I might try making more this summer. Just imagine the endless cake, fruit and flavor combinations.

The trifle always looks spectacular, and everyone thinks you spent hours. They're also afraid to be the first to dig into it. I say to just take a big spoon and go for it—like ripping off a band aid. It's so good the bowl will be empty soon anyway.

Of course, this was for another birthday at work. But, we were celebrating a few months early. Andrew's birthday is in July. I, too, have a summer birthday, and I know what it's like to never be able to celebrate your birthday with all your friends during the school year. I also never liked it when my elementary school teacher would lump celebrating all the summer birthdays onto one day. It's not really the same. Since most of the students, including Andrew will be gone for the summer, we chose a day in April to be Andrew's special day.

Happy early birthday, Andrew! I'll try and remember to send you a birthday greeting on your real birthday. Or, if you happen to be in town, let me know. It never takes much convincing for me to make something to bring into the office. I've seriously got some wild and crazy trifle ideas I'd love to give a try.

And look, they match!