Potluck Chili Cupcakes are deceptively decorated chocolate mini-cakes, perfect as an April Fool’s Day dessert prank for family and friends.

Potluck Chili Cupcakes

by Julia Child | (not really, it is by me)

Quintessential day of practical jokes and pranksters everywhere, April 1st has been the unofficial holiday for hoaxes since the 19th century in many countries. But there have been many celebrations before that, including the Roman holiday of Hilaria (isn’t that hilarious?) and others.

Sweet Beginnings

Plastic bags make tinting coconut easy work

If you ever took a course in English Literature and read any or all of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, you might remember the tale called the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is set on what many mistakenly thought was the 32nd day of March (April 1st) and in the story, Chauntecleer the rooster is tricked by a fox.

Also, in many cultures, New Year’s Day occurs on the Spring Equinox (1st day of Spring) on or about the 20-21 of March and celebrations often went on for a week or more. Perhaps during the conversion to the holiday being on January 1st, to discourage the celebration later on, those who celebrated in early Spring were mocked and called fools.

Whatever reason, there is always cause to have a bit of fun out of the ordinary mundane routine of day to day life, and after the long winter we just had, I am sure everyone needs a smile!

Mix the coconut until it is a nice even color

Combined with whipped cream they look like cheese and sour cream

A little bit on the concept and recipe as background.

This recipe is one I got the idea for at a website online that offered the idea of making something like this in little chili bowls with tinted coconut. I have embellished it a bit further by adding some chopped licorice to resemble tomatoes, and a touch of whipped cream to be sour cream. All the candies in this do taste well together, considering I used Jelly Belly beans in the flavors of chocolate and black cherry (ones that most resembled chili beans).

And although these are baked in small ramekins, they could be baked in cupcake liners if you don’t have those. But overall, even though I guide you through the process, this really is more of a concept than a recipe, so instead of adding a cake recipe to become lost in the later part of the year, I opted to just go for cake mix and tub frosting, using sugar-free versions of both since I am diabetic.

Dusting the ramekins with cocoa eliminates the white powder of flour and adds flavor.

Since ramekins will be different sizes, bake them until a toothpick comes out not wet.

After you make these, if you put the whipped cream on right away, those will need to be refrigerated. If they are going to have to sit out, I would recommend using something like a dab of marshmallow cream instead.

I do hope you get a kick out of these, especially the kids who should love them. It’s doubtful anybody will mistake these for a true bowl of chili, but they are fun and I had a good time making them, even though doing prank recipes is not usually my thing.

I have written a couple of joke recipes in the past, but those were more for just reading and a chuckle, such as my recipe for Emeril’s Cajun Water on Food.  Rather than being a jab at Emeril, it is more to me an homage to the fans of the show (Emeril Live) who watched it all the time and got a kick out of Emeril’s humor. I have great respect for Emeril and what he has achieved with his brand of cuisine.

If you overfilled, don’t worry–just trim the top!

Decorating is an easy four step process

But as with this recipe, I hope they both give you a smile, although I daresay the cupcakes will taste much better than Cajun Water. But I digress. Have a fun filled day and watch your back! (or someone may tape a sign on it) 😉

~Sue

Potluck Chili Cupcakes

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Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Course cupcakes, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 15 ounces prepared chocolate frosting
• 16 ounce box devil's food cake mix (with additional ingredients called for such as oil and eggs)
• Shortening and unsweetened cocoa to prep ramekins
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 4 drops red food coloring
• 6 drops yellow food coloring
• 1/2 cup dark red or brown jelly beans (or a mixture)
• 1/2 cup chopped Twizzler licorice
• whipped cream (as desired)

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325F.
• Prepare cake mix as package directs using additional ingredients called for, such as oil and/or eggs.
• Grease 12 oven-safe ramekins (or needed amount depending on size) with shortening then dust with cocoa, shaking off excess.
• Fill oven safe ramekins or mini-crocks with batter 1/3 to 1/2 full.
• Bake for 19-27 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and removed without wet batter. Time will vary due to variations on ramekin or cupcake liner size. The toothpick is the way to tell when they are done.
• Allow to cool completely.
• While cupcakes are cooling, place coconut in a ziplock bag with the drops of food coloring' seal bag and work the coconut around until it is evenly tinted.
• Trim tops from ramekins with a bread knife or cake knife if the cake domed over the top edge.
• Spread icing on cake.
• Sprinkle icing with jelly beans and licorice to resemble chili.
• Garnish with a dallop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of tinted coconut.

Notes

From the kitchen of palatablepastime.com

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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April Fool’s!

Celebrating the madness that can only be described as April first.

As part of the Sunday Supper Movement, I and a host of other food bloggers are pleased to present to you some of our favorite recipes to enjoy and propagate tomfoolery, and general harmless culinary mischief for you and your families and friends while enjoying that April has finally arrived!

Special thanks to TRCrumbley of Gluten Free Crumbley for graciously hosting this event and working so hard to make sure all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed. It’s a big group and a ton of work to keep all together! Thanks so much.

And now on to the recipes! Check out as many recipes as you would like and be sure to pin those to have for later.

• Pina Colada Smoothie by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Berry Smoothie Incognito by Lifestyle Food Aristry
• Mashed Potato Sundaes by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Roasted Broccoli Dip by Cooking Chat
• Fool Fries by Amee’s Savory Dish
• Super green muffins by Caroline’s Cooking
• Shepherd’s Trifle by The Joyful Foodie
• Meatloaf “Cupcakes” with Mashed Potato “Frosting” by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• April Fools’ Strawberry Pie by Curious Cuisiniere
• Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo & Peas by Momma’s Meals
• Chicken Pad Thai with Zoodles by Nosh My Way
• Middle Eastern Roast Chicken with Green Harissa by The Texan New Yorker
• Fake-out Sliders and Fries by The Redhead Baker
• Pot Luck Chili Cupcakes by Palatable Pastime
• Bacon and “Egg” Cupcakes by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Spaghetti and Meatballs Cupcakes by Recipes Food and Cooking
• Poutine by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Chocolate Cauliflower Cake by What Smells So Good?
• Fudgy Granola Bars by Pies and Plots
• Fruit Pizza by Whole Food | Real Families
• Mud Pies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Join my recipe group on Facebook for more recipes from blogger friends around the world!

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