13 Going on 30 is the Movies & Munchies film for February. Camilla from Culinary Cam is hosting.

I am a Jennifer Garner fan so I’m not sure why I never even heard of this film. We’ve all experienced the awkward middle school angst along with the obligatory mean girls that seem to be part of any early teen experience. Goodness but I don’t really want to revisit that.

This was such a cute movie. I loved experiencing the 1987 fashions again—scrunchies, high ponytails, bright colors. It was great to go down memory lane with the music too—The Go Gos, Brandy Carlisle (solo), Rick Springfield (!!!), Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, Madonna, et al.

I read somewhere that this might be the best romantic comedy ever. It is at least the most overlooked one. If you are like me and have never seen it, here’s a summary:

Jenna is a typical awkward tween/teen making her way through the weird world of middle school. She is cute (but doesn’t see it) and smart (but doesn’t yet realize that’s an asset). She just wants to be a part of the cool crowd. After a mishap at her thirteenth birthday party, she wishes she was “thirty and flirty.” Magically she finds herself propelled to a fashionable New York City apartment with a gorgeous boyfriend and a dream job.

The young actors that were cast to play tweens Jenna and Matt were remarkable. In fact Christa B. Allen (young Jenna) looks a great deal like Jennifer Garner now. Mark Ruffalo is great as the grown up successful photographer and Jenna’s “lost love.” I also enjoyed Andy Serkis as the adult Jenna’s high strung yet supportive boss. I laughed when Jim Gaffigan appeared as the once dreamboat, Jim Grandy, now driving a cab and living in his parent’s basement.

If you haven’t seen this one, pick it up. It would make great post-Valentine’s Day viewing.

The Food:

13 Going on 30 is not a food-centric film but there were a few things to get inspiration from:

• Razzles (I have never heard of this candy. I thought it was made up until I googled it.)
• Cheese doodles, pizza, ding dongs, twinkies, veggie tray, punch, Skittles, Diet Coke
• Starbucks
• Soft shell crab and shrimp cocktail
• Apple-tinis, lemonade, Pina Coladas
• Smiley Sun Pancakes (so cute)
• Asian food
• Champagne

I struggled a little bit with what to make. I decided on a Pina Colada riff. The 30-year-old Jenna guzzles these frozen drinks at one of the first adult parties she experiences. I decided to revisited an old post and my “award winning” Pina Colada cake. I decided to morph this old recipe into a festive cupcake, perfect for a birthday party (or Valentine’s Day). Wouldn’t 13-year-olds think they were pretty chic to be allowed to eat these? 

Tubular!

Pina Colada Cupcakes

By Debra

Leave out the rum and add a bit of rum flavoring if you feel bad making these for 13-year-olds.

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

• 1 pkg. white cake mix
• 1 pkg. instant coconut pudding mix
• 1 c. canola oil
• 3/4 c. water
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 c. rum
• 1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

For the frosting:

•  1 c. butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 1/2 c. powdered sugar (may need a bit more or less)
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/3 c. coconut milk, well blended
• 2 T. rum 
• toasted coconut
• maraschino cherries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.  Line a large 12 cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, water, eggs and rum; beat on medium 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in pineapple. Fill the lined muffin tins with batter about 3/4 of the way full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly and then remove cupcakes to a cooling rack. Let cool completely while you make the frosting.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and powdered sugar on low speed. When the mixture is creamy, add the salt and mix again. Increase the mixer speed to medium and gradually add the coconut milk. (You may add it all; you may have to add a bit more.) When just combined, raise the speed to high and beat for 5-7 minutes. Add more of the coconut milk if needed.
3. Frosting can be piped on using a large tip (or decoratively however you want). You can also frost with a small spatula or you can do like I did and just scoop it on using a large ice cream scoop. Garnish with coconut and a maraschino cherry if desired. 

Yield: 12 large cupcakes

I made these for Valentine’s Day. These are a pretty moist and dense cupcake so a fork is handy. This was the first time I tried the frosting recipe. I added the coconut milk instead of cream and amped it up with some rum. I would maybe add a bit of coconut flavoring next time.

The Hubs is so, so sweet. I had one ready for him on a heart-shaped plate when he got home on Valentine’s night. He thought I had purchased it at a cupcakery!

Thanks for hosting, Camilla. This was fun viewing! You still have time to participate. Check out our FB (or META, whatever) group. Ask for an invite if you’re not a member. Watch this movie and post up!