Ellen Versus One Million Moms and Samoas Cupcakes - WTF and WOW Recipe Wednesday

Instead of more WTF pictures and videos, I figured it would be good to talk about the One Million Mom’s protest regarding JC Penney ‘s decision to hire Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokesperson.  Things really must suck for them when, in the middle of a protest about JC Penney hiring a lesbian spokesperson, California declares Proposition 8 unconstitutional.  Poor One Million Moms with their bad timing.  If they want to protest anything about Ellen, protest her dancing, not her endorsement of JC Penney.  And, I’m addressing JC Penney directly here, thank you. It is beyond refreshing when an organization does not cave to bullies.  Kudos to you and I’ll be back shopping in your stores.  Your bravery should be a lesson to other organizations that don’t have the balls to initially stand up to bullies, I’m directly addressing the Board of Director’s of the Susan G. Koman Foundation here.  Rock on with your bad self, JC Penney.  I’m also really proud of Ellen for addressing this situation.  If you don’t get a chance to watch her show today...this will be her opening monologue. 

"There was some good news for marriage equality in California yesterday. If you haven't been following it, I'll you catch you up - for a long time, same-sex marriage was not legal. Then, here in California, it was legal for like 25 minutes. Then it was not legal again because of something called Prop 8, which banned same-sex marriage. And I'm happy to say that yesterday an appeals court ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional.

"I'm sure the people who oppose it will try to appeal it - but it's a step in the right direction. So I'm happy.

"However, it leads me to something else I'd like to talk about. You all may know that I've recently teamed up with JC Penney. I'm very excited about that. Not only because I think they're a great store, but also because I get a great employee discount. And I could use some new t-shirts.

"I'm happy about it. JC Penney is happy about it. But there's a group called One Million Moms that isn't happy about it. And normally I try not to pay attention to my haters - but this time I'd like to talk about it because my haters are my motivators.

"This organization doesn't think I should be the spokesperson because I'm gay. For those of you who are just tuning in for the first time, it's true. I'm gay. I hope you were sitting down. I hate to break it to you this way.

"They wanted to get me fired and I'm proud and happy to say that JC Penney stuck by their decision to make me their spokesperson. Which is great news for me because I also need some new crew socks. I'm really going to clean up with this discount.

"I mean, if they have a problem with spokespeople, what about the Pillsbury doughboy? He runs around without any pants on, basically begging for people to poke his belly. What kind of message is that?

"After JC Penney didn't back down I thought the story would be over. It's going to go away. Heard about it last week and it did not go away. The group has posted a message on their Facebook page. We'll read it together.

"One Million Mom Statement: 'By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years. The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there.'

"First of all, being gay or pro-gay isn't a bandwagon. You don't get a free ride anywhere. There's no music. And occasionally we'll sing "We Are Family" but that's about it.

"Secondly, they said a majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and not shop there anymore. I'd like to read just a few comments from the Million Moms Facebook page. This is on their page. And not that there's anyone counting, but for a group that calls themselves a Million Moms, they only have 40,000 members on their page. So they're rounding up to the nearest million and I get that.

"Anyway, here are some comments that people wrote on their Facebook page:
-'Love Ellen and everything she stands for. I'm going to shop there more now!'
-'Guess I have to start shopping at JC Penney now.'
-'Way to go JC Penney for not giving in to bullies. Stand your ground.'
- 'I am a Christian and part of a traditional family and I support Ellen and now JC Penney!!!!'

"I usually don't talk about stuff like this on my show but I really want to thank everyone who is supporting me. If you don't know me very well. If you're just watching maybe for the first time or you're just getting to know me. I want to be clear. Here are the values I stand for. I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you'd want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values. That's what I stand for. I also believe in dance.”

Source of Ellen’s Monologue

Samoas Cupcakes

Ingredients
Cupcakes
2 cups flour
3/4 cup natural cocoa powder
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups milk


Caramel Frosting
Ingredients
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips


Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line muffin pan with paper liners.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and cocoa powder.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugar, salt, baking soda, vanilla, and coconut extract until fluffy and light, at least 3-4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed add in the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the milk beating just until combined.

Fill the cupcake papers 1/2 full, making sure that the batter is divided evenly. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 20-22 minutes. Tilt each cupcake in the muffin pan so it sits at an angle. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan at this angle for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To toast the coconut, spread the coconut onto a rimmed sheet pan. Toast in a 350°F oven, stirring frequently, until the coconut is an even brown color, about 10 minutes.

To make the frosting, melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the salt and brown sugar and heat the mixture to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the milk and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm, about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the caramel frosting mixture is lukewarm, transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the powdered sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust consistency with a little more milk or powdered sugar, if necessary.

Heat chocolate chips in microwave for about 30 seconds or until drizzling consistency.

Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip. Pipe a spiral of frosting, beginning at the outer edge and working inward. Drizzle the frosted cupcakes with melted chocolate and garnish with toasted coconut.

 RecipeSource

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