Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes (and more evidence of my coolness)

I couldn't decide if the title should say my nerdiness, dorkiness, or goofiness.  Then I just decided I was really cool and those other people who don't put together themed parties for premieres of tv shows clearly aren't.

Have you ever watched the show "Psych"?  Well I've been a fan since season 1.  It's a perfect mix of goofiness and ridiculousness.  It just makes me laugh.  We don't have the tv on a lot around here, but this is one show Jason and I love to watch.  In fact, a couple of Valentine's Days ago, he bought me a "Psych" cover for my iphone.  That guy sure loves me.  I had that cover on my phone for 8 months before anyone said anything about it, and that's how we discovered some friends who also love Psych.  (as a side note, the second person who said anything about it was a 4th grader in my daughter's class.  So, ya know, fans of all ages and such.)

One quirky fact you might not know about the show is that there is a hidden pineapple in each episode. It may be a reference to a pineapple food, pineapple decorations somewhere on the set, or an actual pineapple.  So when my husband invited our Psych friends over for a season 7 premiere party, I knew we needed some pineapple food.

In season 2 episode 3 (and yes, I looked that up) Shawn makes a pineapple upside down cake in an easy bake oven.  Jason and I thought those would be the perfect thing for our tv watching, but I used a real oven so it wasn't quite authentic.

"Are you a fan of delicious flavor?"

This is how I made my pineapple upside down cupcakes:

1. Heat oven to 350. Spray muffin tin with nonstick spray

2. Mix 4 Tbls. of melted butter with 2/3 cup brown sugar. Sprinkle a bit in the bottom of the muffin tin.

3. Add a small bit of pineapple on top of the brown sugar mixture.  I used fresh pineapple, but canned would work also.

4.  Choose your favorite yellow cake mix (or make one from scratch if you're fancy like that) but substitute an equal amount pineapple juice for the water called for.

5. Pour batter into muffin tins.

6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  cool 10 minutes in the pan, then flip out onto cooling rack.

Easy peasy.  My kids only liked them after they picked off the pineapple.  Crazy kids.

Other food at our Psych party included pineapple Jelly Bellys, dried pineapple, pineapple soda, Synder's pretzels, and my friend made fries quatro queso dos fritos, which was totally awesome of her, since Jason really wanted to try and make them and I didn't want to go near that mess.

And yes, I did add lettering to my green vase when I noticed it was almost Psych color green.  And you can stop laughing at me now.  And let me know if you want in on next year's season premiere party!!