These pineapple coconut cupcakes combine the flavors of the tropics in a single bite!
Sometimes I get some crazy ideas in my head.
Correction, I get crazy ideas ALL the time in my head.
Like that one time when I had this crazy notion that I could walk and chew gum at the same time. That was so crazy! You either walk or chew gum! You can’t do both! I couldn’t!
All joking aside, there’s this one idea concerning my blog that is not so crazy, I think. I’m pretty sure many of my blogger friends can relate.
Have you ever gone back to some of your old posts and thought to yourself…This is so baaaad! Omigod, did I really say that? And look at that photo?! Who would want to read or view this?!
Well, I do that all the time. In fact, it’s been a while now that I’ve had this thought that I should update all of my earlier posts.
Back when I started, not only was I a lousy photographer with a point-and-shoot camera, but I was also a mediocre cook.
This is not saying that I’m now an exceptional cook or a professional photographer. However, I think I can honestly say that I’m less mediocre and not as lousy.
But all this time I’ve thought about updating my posts, I’ve also had unanswered questions. Who really would know or even care if an old post is updated? And if I replace a photo, what happens to the old photo? Where would it go? And what happens to your SEO ranking?
For instance, if you google the words “pineapple coconut cupcake”, the very first image you see on Google image is actually my pineapple coconut cupcakes, from my old Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes post, on my older blog The Novice Gardener. Yes! Exciting, isn’t it?
Now what happens if I replace that photo with another one? What happens to the old photo? And here’s another question. What if The Novice Gardener becomes a self-hosted blog with a different domain name and the post is moved to the new blog. What happens when you google the same words. Would the photo still take that first place?
I’ve had these questions in my head all this time. And I was very concerned…and perturbed…and I pondered and pondered… Yes, perturbed and pondered…my favorite pee words. And things continued…
Until I got myself this newly minted site you’re reading now. You ARE reading, right? Right?
So I thought to myself… This is it! This is my chance to update some of my old recipes. And instead of transferring the old posts from The Novice Gardener to FiestaFriday.net, I will make them anew. That way, nothing bad will happen. Right? Right?
Does anybody know the answers to all these questions? I’m actually serious about finding out. Any expert out there on the ins and outs of the World Wide Web?
Until I find definitive answers, I will continue to update some of my older posts as I see fit. Don’t worry, I’ll make it worth your while. I will only update if there is a way to improve on the recipes and/or photos. If I don’t see any way of improving either, I won’t update.
These Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes have definitely been improved! Plus I need another gravatar for the new site, anyway. Something similar, but not identical. That way I know which account I’m using when I’m logged on.
See…my ideas are not always so crazy. Sometimes they make sense. Right? Right?
These pineapple coconut cupcakes are perfect even without any filling, but you have all that extra crushed pineapple, so you might as well use it.
Please refer to my Pecan Pie-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes recipe for the instructions on how to fill the cupcakes.
To make the dried pineapple flowers, follow these step-by-step instructions.
- 4 extra-large eggs (at room temperature), separate the yolks from the white
- ¾ cup + ¼ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil, in liquid form (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, drained, reserving juice
- The rest of the crushed pineapple and juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (only freshly squeezed!)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar, divided
- Dried pineapple flowers
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Sift to get rid of any lumps.
- In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and ¾ cup sugar with an electric mixer on high speed, until light and fluffy. Add coconut oil, ½ cup of reserved pineapple juice, ¼ cup of the drained crushed pineapple crushed and vanilla/coconut extract. Beat until well combined.
- Add flour mixture and beat until well blended.
- In another bowl, with clean beaters, whip egg whites and cream of tartar, on medium speed until soft peaks form. Start adding ¼ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Increase speed to high and continue beating until stiff peaks form
- Fold egg whites into batter.
- Spoon into muffin cups about ¾ full.
- Bake for 20 – 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool before filling and frosting
- Mix everything in a saucepan, then heat on medium until bubbly. Remove and cool prior to using.
- Let cream cheese come to room temperature.
- Beat cream cheese, pineapple juice and ¼ cup powdered sugar with an electric mixer until blended.
- In another bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken.
- Add the other ¼ cup of powdered sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into cream cheese.
- Use a cupcake corer or a melon baller to scoop out the center of each cupcake.
- Trim the core, saving the top part to use as a plug.
- Spoon about 2 teaspoons pineapple filling into each cavity. Place the “plug” piece back on the cupcake.
Love your stream of consciousness Angie! All valid questions and so hard to ever know the answer to! The cupcakes look soooooo goid! Especially w those flowers. Can’t wait to see how you made them. Funny how Tracey at What’s for Dinner Doc, you and me all had pineapple coconut on the brain this past week. Glad I found you again 🙂
I’ve found a few answers to my questions. Let’s just say I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing. At least for now 🙂
Have you been craving pina colada, too? That’s what these cupcakes remind me of! Love those flavors! I’m going to check out yours. Is it here already @FF62?
Ah yes… I know exactly what you mean with these questions. It’s funny how we end up taking similar journeys. I started as “TheChoppingBlogs.com” (yuck, hate that name). I took terrible pictures with my cell phone (like, god awful)… and the recipes were like, not even recipes. I don’t have any idea what I was thinking. Then the recipes improved but the pictures were still awful. I’ve replaced some of the pictures, some are still on my site… some I just deleted altogether..) it’s a huge process! I wish I had some answers for you but I think your approach is perfect… leave the originals where they are, and bring your favorites over here, revamped! 😉 Nice work Ang! 🙂
I’ve seen blogger friends go thru the self-hosted route only to abandon it a few months later. I had no idea why!! I think it’s hard blogging when you can’t find readers, and self-hosting doesn’t exactly make it easy. Hello!! Self!! You’re on your own!! So I’m trying to find a balance here. We’ll see how it goes. I could be proven all wrong! Thanks for sticking with me! XOXO
Ehhhh you can’t get rid of me Ang! And you got this! 😉
These look so beautiful Angie x
Thanks, dah-ling!
🙂
What beautiful cupcakes! The pineapple flower is so clever; I always through it was an actual flower on the gravatar 🙂
I agree, this is such a nice way to revamp old recipes; I can’t say I have very many old posts as my blog hasn’t been around for too long, but even things that I look back and wince at, I don’t want to remove… I start feeling sentimental since I did put time into it at one point.
Also, I think the header image is new from last time I visited; it’s very cute and a tastefully thematic choice!
I’m glad you agree! I feel very attached to those old posts! I want to see the journey, you know. That way I can see myself growing.
The header is a work in progress. Just got myself a new toy to do digital art and stuff so playing around with it still. 🙂
That’s perhaps what makes a blog special; it continues growing and changing 🙂
A tablet maybe? I’ll look forwards to seeing a bit of digital art pop up here and there!
Yes, and a stylus and an app. Pretty addicting! 🙂
So pretty Angie! My FF post this week is an update of an old recipe and I did think about those things, but honestly the old post’s photos were so bad I didn’t care if I lost traffic, I’d prefer no traffic than people seeing those photos any longer haha!
Oh well, if they were that bad then yes I would delete 😀 Just kidding! I’m pretty sure they weren’t bad! We tend to be too hard on ourselves! Like the header I’m drawing. I keep erasing even though my daughter tells me it looks nice!
Oh trust me Angie, my 1 year old nephews could have down a better job than the photos on that original post haha! But they’re all shiny and new though! But you’re right, we’re definitely harder on ourselves – I was so happy with the new photos for this recipe, so much so that I kept just looking at them… but then the more I looked at them the more things I spotted that could be improved!
You’re drawing the header? That’s exciting! I need a new one for mine, but drawing is not my forte! When I have a bit of spare money though I’m gonna pay a graphic designer friend of mine to do one for me 😀
It’s nice to have a designer friend. But I’m known as the one with the artistic flair among my friends! So I hired myself. Even though I don’t think I’m that good!
These are gorgeous Angie!!! I love updating old recipes and seeing how much you’ve grown 🙂 Those old posts of mine I look at and go “Isn’t that sweet” haha!
Oh I have those moments, too. I would be like…aaw…she was so sweet and innocent back then…what happened to her? Hahah…
I’d love to know the answers to your questions?! I know some of my old posts and photos could do with pimping but I don’t have a different blog to renew them on
Again – only half of my comment has appeared! Good job I made a copy, let’s try again:
I’d love to know the answers to your questions?! I know some of my old posts and photos could do with pimping but I don’t have a different blog to renew them on
Nope – still only half of it showing – what’s happening???
Are you on iPad or iPhone? Coz they’ve been giving me problems, too! And this is the iPad Air2!
Ipad 🙁
Me, too 🙁 Anyway, I don’t have all the answers yet to these questions. But I’m thinking it’s not worth the trouble to update unless it’s for your own sense of accomplishment. Unless the post is highly popular. Besides it’s good to see you grow.
Good point!
And what I wanted to say is that you ARE an exceptional cook and photographer! xx
Aaw…you’re so sweet! Hugs!
xx
These are truly beautiful cupcakes. How could anyone pass by without even wanting a sample? I love the idea of dried pineapple flowers. That’s filed away into my ‘good ideas for later’ place.
I have photos of how I made the flowers, just need to put them into words. Stay tuned!
These look AWESOME Angie- thanks for bringing to FF this week…and for asking me to host 😉
No, thanks for agreeing to co-host! You’re a doll, and so is Prudy! I stuck it to her last minute!
Really pretty cupcakes and very interested in the use of coconut oil. Love the flowers too! Updating sounds cool… Sorry I have no answers though… I know nothing!!! 🙂 Thanks for hosting the party again Angie! 🙂
The oil gives quite a bit of flavor. Might be enough for those who don’t enjoy coconut. But if you like it, add coconut extract as well. Tropical explosion!! Loved, loved it! I’m not too worried about finding all the answers. Let things progress organically, I’d say! 🙂
The coconut sounds great!! Must try to make these one day. I don’t think I’ve ever made a cake with coconut.
And yes, going with the flow sounds good! Everything’s great so far! 🙂
Coconut oil is also supposedly healthier. Who knows anymore. People used to say canola was healthy, now not so much. Anyway, I bought this big jar of extra virgin coconut oil so I’m looking for ways to use it. It comes solid like shortening/butter and it smells like my coconut candle! Very fragrant! If you’re not used to coconut, use sparingly.
I’ve heard coconut oil is healthy … I’ve got a small bottle but I’ve only been using it for bliss balls and cocoa bites. I think I’ll go and look for a big bottle!! 🙂
I think leaving the old photos on posts is fine, it shows your journey, how you have grown as a cook & a photographer. Was there ever a time when you were bad?? Cant imagine that 🙂 These cupcakes are utterly beautiful, love those pineapple flowers, that’s something I need to try soon!
I think you’re right. That’s why I’m letting my old posts stay where they are. Only update if necessary. The pineapple flowers are the best! They taste really good, too. I’ll be posting my photos soon. Sometimes I get lazy, haha…
They really are gorgeous 🙂
Angie,
Those cup cakes are breath takingly beautiful! I love the taste of pineapple and have a pineapple recipe for FF today too.
Your posts are all awesome. I dread looking at my old ones an di am talking only a few months old…..so much to learn:(
Thanks, Sandhya! I love pineapples and will be checking out your recipe asap! But I think we’re improving every day. Having a blog allows us to grow, don’t you agree?
I absolutely agree Angie!
Pineapple and coconut are a match made in heaven – and you’ve made it even more “heavenly” with this stunning presentation. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Ronit! And I think you’re right about pineapple and coconut being a match made in heaven. They just work together! 🙂
Thought I recognised your cupcake and pineapple flowers. Normally I have a really bad memory for…well, most things. Oddly, I’ll recognise the written word. Like sitting down to read a book, only to realise from the first sentence that I’ve read it already. Yep, that’s happened. Anyway, I’ve been updating some of mine as well. As I’d never liked the photos to begin with. Probably still don’t! 🙂 But, importantly, I like the recipes.
I have a pretty good memory and I remember many stunning photos from your blog. Many, many! And your pretty plates, etc. I hope you didn’t delete any! So much work going into the photos! I have been paid for an old photo on the blog, btw. Lots of money for one! One of these days I’ll tell the story. So, don’t delete!
Well done you! No, I haven’t deleted. Most originals have been kept – to taunt me! 🙂 Sometimes it’s good to look back. You’re highlighting the importance of revisiting recipes, and making sure they’re at their best. Ultimately, aren’t the recipes, in a way, the crown itself? And the photos, when they work, jewels. Hahaha! Should’ve slept more. 🙂
These cupcakes are so beautiful! Can I use butter or canola oil instead of coconut oil?
Thanks, Madie! Yes, you can use canola oil or melted butter. The coconut oil, however, gives the cupcakes the coconut flavor and aroma. But you can also achieve the same result with coconut extract. Let us know how they turn out for you!
Angie, I’d love to know the answers to those exact same questions! I’ve been tempted to re-photograph for a number of posts, but (like you’ve said) some of them rank quite highly on google image (and general) searches.
Your cupcakes look like perfection in all manner of ways… and what stunning photos! M.xx
I think updating by adding new photos is okay, but deleting then replacing is not. I think. Not 100% sure. I feel it’s okay to repeat recipes if you find new ways to improve. After all we often make the same dish multiple times, in real life, right? Often tweaking as we go. I’m sure your followers would appreciate the extra tips and improvements.
Well done, Angie! :-)) I am seriously impressed!! I hope you had a wonderful Easter!
Thank you, Serena! You are too sweet! I did have and enjoy a wonderful Easter!
These pineapple flowers are so beautiful and unique! I love them. I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one with lots of questions. Maybe you should start another website with all of the answers you find out, Angie! You would have a lot of grateful bloggers out there!:)
Oh, and I also wanted to say that I have so many posts and pictures that make me cringe and some of them are not that long ago!:(
If I ever find the answers to these questions, Shari, I will definitely share, with or without another website. I can’t even imagine how I would handle another one! And thanks for the compliment on the pineapple flowers. They’re pretty easy to do, I hope you’ll give them a try! 🙂