A Break from Fall Favorites, for a Taste of the Tropics

Considering how much I adore the autumn season (the weather, the colorful foliage, the foods most associated with it - basically everything!), I never thought that I would take a break from baking "autumn-themed" treats so quickly!! However, the reason for doing so was definitely worthwhile - allow me to elaborate.

This past Monday, September 22nd, marked a significant birthday for my dance partner - his 21st birthday. All last week (and even the week before that), he kept "hinting" that he wanted me to bake something special for him (but don't I always?? he is one of my regular "taste-testers," after all, haha), so of course I did not want to disappoint him. However, I found myself in a predicament (one that I have been in before) - what on earth was I going to bake?!

I wanted to bake something new and fun, but obviously it had to be something that he would like. When I asked him if he had any flavor/baked good requests, he said, "I always love what you bake, so just surprise me!" While I appreciate the compliment and reassurance, his response did not help me make a decision as to what I should bake, haha ;0)

As Monday was rapidly approaching, I began to stress out quite a bit about this situation - but I finally came to my senses, and called up a trusted friend (who also happens to be a baking genius): Hannah!! After listening intently to her suggestions and recommendations (and searching in my pantry for necessary ingredients), I was able to get into the kitchen and bake up a fabulous birthday treat:



Using one of the tantalizing, impressive recipes from Hannah's cookbook, My Sweet Vegan, I baked a batch of six Piña Colada Mini-Bundts. Incorporating the tantalizing flavors of coconut and pineapple, these mini-bundt cakes (made in a rose-shaped bundt pan, since that is all I had on-hand for the small size, haha) bring you a "taste of the tropics," and are quite a delight for your taste-buds. They are also quite appropriate for a 21st birthday celebration, don't you think?? ;0)

The only changes that I made to the recipe involved using gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour, using a splash of lemon extract instead of lemon juice (I didn't have any lemon juice/fresh lemons on-hand), and omitting the icing (since I didn't think it would look good on the rose-shaped bundt cakes - my drizzling skills are far from perfect when it comes to icing, unfortunately). Thank goodness the cakes still turned out perfectly (and fully, since I was worried that the cakes would get stuck in the bundt-pan - thank goodness that didn't happen!).

Since the recipe yielded six mini-bundts, I obviously wanted to share some with my other taste-testers! My mom automatically loved the bundt cake, since she is a big fan of pineapple and coconut; my dad stated that the bundt cake was "perfectly formed, deliciously filled and filling. I didn't expect so many different tastes when I took my first bite! It was great"; and before we get to my dancer partner's review, here is what The Co-Worker thought:



**Here is The Co-Worker's official review of these Piña Colada Mini-Bundts** :



"Even though the fall season has already officially begun, these Piña Colada Mini-Bundts are a great summer or spring time treat.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that fancy names on so-called “healthy” food are usually over selling what you’ll actually taste…. These moist treats are everything their name says they are. Moist, light, yet filling with a real fruit surprise inside!

They look almost fake, because they are so beautifully made.... in the shape of a rose. So, don’t let the seasons change without sinking your mouth into one of these wonderful Piña Colada Mini-Bundts!"



So we now know for sure that three of my taste-testers (and I) loved the flavor, texture, and looks of the mini-bundts (thanks again for a great recipe, Hannah!); but what did my dance partner (the birthday boy) think of them??



After his first bite, he smiled and proclaimed, "these are the best desserts I have ever tasted! wow, are they good." Hooray!! I am quite pleased that he liked them so much. And as you can see from the above photograph, he did not want to share the rest of the mini-bundts with anyone (he was guarding the cakes with his life!!) since he wanted them all to himself, haha ;0)

While I cannot wait to begin baking with "autumn-themed" ingredients again, I must admit that taking a break from baking "fall favorites" in order to experience a "taste of the tropics" was quite fun (and extremely delectable); and I am glad that I was able to bake something new and enticing for my dance partner, on his 21st birthday.

On another note, my dance partner and I will be dancing in the first showcase of the season this coming Sunday, so I am afraid that there will be no time for baking this weekend (I will bake again as soon as possible, no worries!); but I promise to post all about the results, later in the week - wish us luck, please! :0)