Vatican Flag and Pope Francis' Papal Coat of Arms Cupcake Toppers {Free Printables}

We are baking cupcakes to celebrate the Solemnity Feast of St. Joseph and the Installation of Pope Francis today.  I thought I would upload and share the cupcake toppers I created with you all.  Here are the links:

Vatican Flag Cupcake Toppers

Pope Francis' Papal Coat of Arms Cupcake Toppers 

Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Whole Church

O Glorious Saint Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, and the head of the Holy Family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly Patron and Protector of the Church founded by Christ. 

Protect the Sovereign Pontiff and all bishops and priests united with him. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life; and grant that all peoples of the world may be docile to the Church without which there is no salvation.

Dear Saint Joseph, accept the offering I make to you. Be my father, protector, and guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me purity of heart and a love for the spiritual life. After you example, let all my actions be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church,
Ora Pro Nobis! 

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Italian Cream Cupcakes

The following recipe was submitted by Hi Cookery in honor of today's feast of St. Joseph and the Installation of Pope Francis. Thank you Highlander and Islander!  Update: I just created a Vatican Flag Cupcake Printable for you all. Here is the link! 

Habemus papam—we have a pope! Congratulations to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. This is a significant event for the billions of Catholics worldwide as the church struggles to stay grounded in Christian morality in a predominantly secular society, deal with scandals and controversy, continue its rich historical traditions, grow in modern times and still keep the faith.

Succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, Francis is a Jesuit priest of Italian immigrant parents in Argentina, whose papal name was taken after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of Italy. Before first blessing those gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on the night of his election, Pope Francis asked that they pray for him. He surely needs our prayers, as being head of the church is not an easy task.

While baking Italian cream cupcakes for a pope prayer party for Islander’s brother’s students, we prayed that the Holy See is made an instrument of the Lord’s peace during his tenure as pope. We topped the cupcakes with tiny Vatican flags instead of a pecan for a festive Francis food. May God bless Pope Francis!

Recipe
(Adapted from Cupcakes: From the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn)

For the Italian Cream Cupcakes

• 1 box (18.25 ounces) yellow, white or French vanilla cake mix (we recommend Duncan Hines brand)
• 1 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons coconut flavoring
• 1 cup flaked coconut, sweetened
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs. Blend well until smooth.

Mix in the coconut flavoring. Fold in the flaked coconut and chopped pecans.

Scoop the batter into 24 cupcake papers lining a muffin pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks. Prepare the frosting.

For the coconut and cream cheese frosting

• 1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (½ stick) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (we used clear vanilla flavoring)
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1+ tablespoons water or milk (optional)
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• pecan half (optional)

Directions

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the butter until well blended with the cream cheese. Stir in the vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar a cup at a time and mix until smooth. Add water or milk to the frosting, if necessary, to make a spreadable consistency.

Use a spatula to spread frosting on top of the cupcakes. Dip the frosted cupcakes into a small bowl of coconut flakes. Decorate with a pecan half or mini Vatican City flags.

Notes

• We used a yellow cake mix and a white coconut cream cheese frosting to match the colors of the Vatican flag.
• Boost the coconut flavor in the cream cheese frosting by substituting the vanilla for a teaspoon of coconut flavoring. Toast the sweetened coconut flakes to bring out the fruitiness as well as add some color to the cupcakes.
• The parish we attend, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, is proud to bear the name of new pope!
• Make Italian cream cupcakes for the installation of Pope Francis on March 19, the Feast Day of St. Joseph, or on October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis.

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Argentinian/Italian Inspired Pizza

On March 13th, the day of Pope Francis' election, I told the children that in honor of our new Pope they were going to "cook their own" dinner, just like Pope Francis!   I modified our dinner plans and decided that we would have an Argentinian/Italian inspired pizza!  I did help make the sauce and pizza dough, but they had so much fun assembling the pizza and choosing the toppings.  I also picked up some wine imported from Argentina which we ended up saving for today, the feast of St. Joseph and the Installation Mass of our new Holy Father. 

Pizza Dough:
(Adapted from our Deep-Dish Pizza Recipe)

This pizza dough is our favorite!  We have been making it frequently for both regular and deep-dish pizzas. The following measurements will make one thick-crust pizza.  Our family doubles the recipe for 2 thick crusts or 3 thin crust pizzas.


Ingredients:

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups Better-for-Bread flour

Directions:

Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water. Stir in the sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and flour. Knead the dough for 3 minutes by hand, or using a mixer with the hook attachment, like we did. Roll out the dough on a greased or well-seasoned pizza stone.


Pizza Sauce:
(Adapted from Hubpages)

"In the US we are more accustomed to a pizza sauce that is made from crushed tomatoes and has crushed red pepper flakes.  In Argentina, the sauce is thinner and less spicy."

Ingredients:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced (I used my garlic slicer.)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• crushed red pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons italian spice mix (I used a mix of oregano, thyme, and basil) 
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 2 cans tomato sauce

Directions:

In a sauce pan, saute the garlic in olive oil over medium heat .   Add the spices and tomato sauce.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside until you are ready to assemble the pizza.

Pizza Toppings:

Spread the pizza sauce over the dough.

Sprinkle with grated Mozzarella cheese.

Add your favorite toppings. We enjoyed researching what some of the common pizza toppings are in Argentina.  On one website we read that  "The old standby is the classic mozzarella, always topped with at least one olive. Other popular pies are the Neapolitan (with tomatoes and garlic) and the Calabrese, protagonized by chorizo (course meat sausage). Typical extra toppings include red pepper, anchovies, eggs, blue cheese, artichoke hearts and pineapple. The American classic, peperoni doesn’t exist in Argentina." We also discovered that Green Olives and Hearts of Palm are common toppings (and we happened to have some in the cupboard) so we used those on one of our pizzas.

My children topped their second pizza with their own favorite toppings - pepperoni and black olives. 

Preheat oven to 425˚F and bake for 15 to 25 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and the cheese is melted.

Interestingly enough, I had the children "make their own pizza" the night I started creating our Papal Lap Book!   That night we used the same dough recipe, baking the pizza's in 9x13 stones/baking casseroles for some Italian style Deep Dish Pizza.

 Either way it is made turns out delicious! 

A Prayer for the Pope 

by Pope Leo XIII 

O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy fervor the sacred Victim of love and peace. 

Wherefore, O Lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in unison with him.

Whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At the moment when our venerable High Priest, holding in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words: "The peace of the Lord be with you always," grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power. Amen.

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Argentine Alfajores in honor of Pope Francis

The following recipe for traditional Argentinian Alfajores was submitted by Tricia from Dry Creek Academy, who lives here in the United States but still visits family in Argentina, in honor of Pope Francis.

Here is a recipe for traditional Argentinian Alfajores.  I'm sure these were Pope Francis's favorite cookies as a boy!  My daughter made these cookies (along with her two younger brothers & the other campers) at a Young Chef’s Academy All-Around-the-World baking camp last summer. They are delicious! If you don’t like coconut, you can omit it. This recipe is also available on line at different baking websites, all about the same.

I usually buy the Havanna brand of Alfajores, but if you can't find those, these homemade ones are very good. Alternatively, these can be dipped in chocoloate or white meringue. Feel free to use the recipe, but don't modify the proportions or they won't come out right.

Alfajores (like most words that start with "al") is of Arab origin and is believed to have been introduced into Spanish by the Moors during their seven century long control of Spain/Iberian peninsula. The word then traveled to the Spanish colonies in the Americas during the 16th century onward.

Argentine Alfajores

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups cornstarch
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice
• Dulce de leche
• grated and sweetened coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the cornstarch, flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix briefly.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture, blending with your fingers until the mixture is smooth.
4. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and mix with your hands until the dough is homogeneous and smooth (add a tablespoon or two if too crumbly to form a ball). Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out dough to 3/8" thickness, and cut into 2 inch circles.
6. Place cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes, until they are barely golden brown.
8. To fill the cookies, spread one cookie with dulce de leche and top with second cookie. Roll the edges in the coconut.

Let cool completely and enjoy!

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