Hi! Long time no See! Yes!! I see you! I know how many people see my blog and from what part of the world! It's so exciting when I see my friends from as close as across the United States to as far as other countries! Kuala Lumpur?? Really?? EXCITING!! I can see How you searched me, from what engine you saw me and when! Ok... Ok... Don't Panic .... I can't see your names or any specifics, but my Imagination knows who you are .... and I'm Happy to see you!

Back for one day and I'm already off the subject! I'll bet you missed telling me to "Get to It, Already!" Haha! You're so mean. ;P Anyway, I know I promised I wouldn't lose my Inspiration and I didn't, really... sort of. I mean, I've baked off and on (for some order or other), but every time I tried to bake for Pleasure... well.... it just didn't come out right. Sometimes when you try something over and over, and it's just not what it should be... it's time to take a break until the feeling comes back to you. (Hmm... that sounds like my dating life.. ugh.)

 

So, Here's my story! Not long ago I went to the Mall ... ugh... and it was on the weekend ... double ugh. Knowing that's NOT my favorite thing... it's funny, not even if I have money to spend. I don't know what it is about the mall that urks me so much. YIKES! Where was I? Yes, the mall... we were window shopping and happened to pass a new bakery. No names. actually, I don't remember... but the display case totally caught my attention! Beautiful!! I casually strolled up to the glass as if disinterested, because when you look Hungry ... they ask you to buy. I wasn't in the mood to buy, but  they sure got me in the mood to BAKE!! I saw these Huge, Sloppy Pineapple Upsidedown Cupcakes! I should've bought one, but of course, My EGO said .... I CAN BAKE THAT!! Before I knew it, the baker was standing in front of me, in her cute, white apron and sweetly said... "Excuse me, Miss. Can you not drool on the display case?" so I wiped my mouth and walked away. What a Sweet Girl ... She called me MISS!! Well, here I am. Weeks later. Baking the Upsidedown Thingies ... HEY!! That's what I'll name them ....

 

UPSIDE-DOWN THINGIES.

 

Brown Sugar Sauce

 

2 cubes margarine or butter (1 cup)

2 cups lightly packed brown sugar

2 TBSP Cinnamon

1 TBSP ground Chili Powder (omit or add less ... I like more.)

2 TBSP water (mine was Butterscotch Schnapps flavored) Umm... minus the water.

 









Decoration 

 

Pineapple Chunks (be sure to save the juice!)

Cherries (in liquid, not dried)

 

Preheat oven to 350* and spray tins with cooking spray or grease with shortening or oil.
Melt butter in large frying pan. While it's melting, add brown sugar, cinnamon and chili powder. stir until all melted and gooey and let boil for about 7 minutes. Man, that sure smells good! Be sure not to over-boil it .... it will harden into candy. Hmm... that may not be a bad idea! I'd eat it. I Know what you're thinking... What about the SCHNAPPS?? ...hold on... Your goo will be thick, so to thin it out you CAN use water... I happen to like Butterschotch Schnapps ... and I happen to have some on hand!  Remove the goo from fire and stir in the liquid, it will loosen up just enough. Now, working quickly, Spoon it into the tins. I'd say about 2-3 TBSP. Then, drop in pineapple chunks and cherries. Set aside. Ok, so, you don't have to be as meticulous about arranging them as I was. Believe me, I just wanted to drop them in... but who wants to see pics of a messy cake!? 

Upside-Down Thingie Batter 

 

1 box white cake mix
1 cube margarine or butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup Pineapple Juice ... Yes, what did you think you were going to do with the leftover juice??

3 eggs ... What?? .... did you expect anything else?

I figured out why mine didn't come out as big and sloppy as the one's I drooled over.... my TINS aren't big enough! There are Mini tins, Regular tins, Texas-Size tins and then there are HUGE tins! LOL!! Yes, I know how that sounds .... it's all in how you use them! Wink!Wink!

 

.... Anyway.... Cream the margarine, and scrape down the sides. Margarine is a good substitute for Oil and truthfully, I think it adds a little more moistness than oil does! But not more than Mayonnaise! Yes, remember that? Oil, margarine, mayo, applesauce.... whatever makes your Muffins Moist!

(haha... I threw that one in for fun). 

 

 

Ok... on top of margarine, add the cake mix and mix for a second until crumbly. Then, measure liquids and add eggs into liquid. Break up the eggs, but don't scramble. Adding all the liquid at once helps to stop over-developing the mix. Mix on 2 for 1 minute, scrape down sides, and then mix for 2 minutes on 4. That would also be low and med, depending on your mixer. Note: You can use 2 eggs if you want, but 3 eggs will give it a richer, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Your choice.

 

Well, that's it!  As usual, thanks for reading my nonsense. And I hope to see you again, soon!

 

Happy Baking & ...... Don't forget your Apron!