strawberry blush, pineapple mush: a birthday story

here is a special edition post specially for my younger sister, currently studying in johore. yesterday was her birthday *happy birthday again acik*.. and since she isn't home, i teased her about making some cupcakes. but  of course i'm not that cruel!  ^_^

instead, i make some...TODAY! hehehe...too bad you are not here to enjoy it...*sorry ;)* don't worry, when you get back, i'll bake it for you. back to the cake, it is basically just a simple cake with ingredients that pretty much stocked up in your pantry. not to mention it takes only a little of your time to do it.

originally, it was vanilla flavored cake. but to make it a bit more festive, i add a little bit color, strawberry extract and throw in some chocolate rice. and instead of using paper cups, i baked them in small tart molds *to get them out of the mold requires a bit more patience!*. here you go...cute cakes for birthday party!

small strawberry cakes with pineapple sauce

makes about 12-16 cupcakes (depends on size)

• 1 1/4 cups self raising flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp strawberry extract 
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• a few drops of pink coloring

1. preheat oven to 175 Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Place paper cups in two cupcake pans
2. sift flour + baking soda + salt in medium bowl and set aside
3. in mixer: beat eggs + sugar until creamy and lightened in color at medium speed.
4. lowering speed, add in oil + vanilla and strawberry extracts + yogurt
5. then slowly add in flour mixture and mix until all incorporated
6. pour into cups and bake for 18 - 23 minutes, checking with a toothpick if it comes out clean, it done

pineapple sauce

• 3 cups cubed pineapple *from fruit, not canned*
• 3/4 water
• 1/4 sugar
• 3 cloves

1. combine all ingredients in a small pot, cover with a lid and let it simmer for 30 minutes under medium low heat or until the pineapple become mushy
2. remove from heat, let it cool down a little before pureeing in food processor
3. let cool to room temperature before using