Butterbeer

This is part III in a mini-series of Harry Potter snacks from the books brought to life (part I is on Honeydukes treats, part II is all about the cauldron cakes, and part IV showcases decadent butterbeer cupcakes).

Last August, my family made the two thousand mile journey to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Orlando has always been one of my family's favorite vacation destinations. Add in my love (and obsession) with Harry Potter and we all knew that once the park officially opened I couldn't be kept away for long.

On the big day, we woke up at an obscene hour to a bright dawn. While the rest of my family was dragging their feet and speaking in yawns, I was too excited to dwell on my lack of sleep and tired eyes. I had been waiting for this day for years. I was running on sheer adrenaline.

This was my moment.

When I entered the park, I was immediately swept away by the architecture and the detail. The park truly has the atmosphere, look and feel, and sights and sounds (well, if you don't count the occasional woosh from the rollercoasters) of the world of Harry Potter I had imagined. I could have spent hours walking up and down the cobblestone streets simply admiring the tremendous amount of detail that was put into creating this world. Even the subtlest objects, mentioned only briefly in the books, were now here in front of me, fully imagined.

I'm pretty sure I had a grin on my face a mile wide.

Believe it or not, "window shopping" was one of my favorite sights in the park. There were dozens of little shop fronts with windows that each lead into a tiny world. The level of detail was so unbelievable, it was almost overwhelming. I didn't know where to look next. However, I did notice that, like any good wizarding shop, many objects would move of their own volition (but only if you took the time to spot it!).

Cauldron shops, music stores, clothing boutiques—I just wish they had all been real.

After riding the attractions, it was time to sample everything Hogsmeade had to offer. First on the menu, Butterbeers. My family decided that we each wanted one to ourselves (when you stare at them while waiting in line for an hour, you tend to get a bit greedy). Since it was a hot day, we opted for the frozen version. Were the Butterbeers what I had imagined? Not quite. Was it delicious? Absolutely. My sister and I both found them a little too sweet for our liking (that fact that it was nine in the morning may have played into it a bit), but I still managed to drink mine down to the bottom of the glass.

The recipe for Butterbeers I've posted here features a less sweet version than you'll find at the park.

We came back to the park later in the evening to see how the look and feel would change after the sun had set. With all the lights dimmed to nothing but a soft glow, the park felt truly magical. Despite the hustle and bustle of busy crowds, for the first time I didn't feel like I was at a theme park anymore. I had been completely transported to the world I could only dream about before.

The castle, lit up in all its glory, was simply breathtaking. Hogwarts almost looked like a painting, with all the gorgeous colors and shadowing of the towers and turrets. If only I could walk across that bridge...

I think these photos tell the story better than I ever could.

This was the perfect ending to what I can only call a perfect day.

These Butterbeers are rich, fun, and fizzy. Your favorite drink from the Harry Potter series is now available to muggles like you! The Butterbeers are created by mixing a butterscotch/caramel syrup into cream soda and then topping it with a healthy dollop of butterscotch infused whipped cream. When taking a sip from the mug, you will get a whipped cream mustache. Trust me, it's all a part of the novelty. Fair warning, these drinks are on the sweeter side, so make sure to bring your sweet tooth along (not that it has ever been a problem for me!).

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Coconut Cream Cupcakes

Lately, I've been having a streak of recipe failures. Normally, I'm okay with a failed recipe or two (and even then once every blue moon). After I stop whining and complaining (kicking, screaming, crying), I find there's usually something to learn. Maybe I didn't have the right ratio of flour to fats. Maybe I substituted an ingredient I really shouldn't have. There are dozens of things that could have gone wrong and it's my job as the baker/detective to sort it out. I'm okay with solving baking crimes (well, it is a crime to see good food go to waste!). What I'm not okay with is a failed recipe where there was nothing to learn and I have no idea what went wrong.

That just makes me mad.

In the past week, I've had four recipes go sour. Four. I didn't share my lemon mousse with the texture verging on cottage cheese. I chose not to show you my coffee poached pears with the nightmare coffee caramel sauce. I even tried steaming some vegetables with a little vinegar and only ended up with a home that reeked of Little House on the Prairie. It's been a bad week for my kitchen. It's been a blow to my culinary confidence. I'm almost nervous to try something new for fear it will end up in the trash (again).

But these coconut cream cupcakes? These broke that awful streak (thank goodness). I honestly can't think of a change I'd do to make these better. These are just perfect.

These coconut cream cupcakes are reminiscent of a coconut cream pie. The cupcake is a traditional vanilla cupcake absolutely infused with coconut, including coconut milk and flaked coconut mixed throughout. If that isn't good enough, these cupcakes are then filled with a toasted coconut cream. Toasted coconut. They are finally topped with a vanilla whipped cream and a sprinkling of toasted coconut. These are addictive and so delicious. If you love coconut, you need to make these.

I should have called them Coconut Dream Cupcakes.

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Black Forest Cake

I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to photographing my baking. I love to share my breads and desserts with you. I love to share my baked goods with other people too. And here is where the conflict of interest lies. Let me explain.
Say, for instance, you made a fantastic black forest cake. The layers are just right. The frosting is just so. The cake makes you feel warm and fuzzy and proud inside. Now here's the catch. You made this cake for a dinner party. You want to bring a beautifully frosted cake to the party to share. You also want to show off and share this cake to your wonderful online followers (that's you!). But you can't bring a cake to the party with a piece missing (well, you can, but people might stare and wonder whether you were so desperately starved that you dug in with your hands on the way there).

So what do you do?

I'm a bit greedy. I want the best of two worlds. So you know what I do? Oh, I cut the cake. I take the photos. I might even sneak a tiny bite with my fork. And then I slide that little piece back into the cake, fix up the frosting like this whole thing never happened, and don't tell a soul. I have no shame.

Shhh. This is our little secret.

This black forest cake is none too sweet, which is just right. When I imagine a black forest cake, I don't think of a sugary, gumdrop forest. I think of a forest that's dark, dense, with secrets hidden in the shadows. The cake is dense and rich. The cherry filling has subtle hints of rum. The pastry cream is oh so dreamy. And the whipped cream frosting is perfect. Just perfect. If you are looking for a cake to impress, look no further.

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