Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!





Pink Champagne Cupcakes - A recipe I found in Cuisine at Home a year ago finally came to life. They are easy, fun, pretty and delicious. Plus, you get to drink the extra champagne with the cupcakes which makes it a real celebration.


Pink Champagne Cake or Cupcakes
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp baking pwd
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup brut sparkling champagne
1/4 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
3-4 drops red food coloring
6 egg whites

Icing
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brut champagne
5 cups sifted pwd sugar (approx.)
2-3 T cream or milk

Preheat oven 350* F. Line 2 9" cake pans with parchment or line 24-30 cupcake tins.

1. Cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 min.
Combine 3/4 cup champagne, milk and vanilla.
2. Sift together flour, baking pwd and salt.
3. Add flour and liquid mixture to butter alternately until mixed.
4. Add food coloring to desired tint of pink.
5. Beat egg whited in a separate bowl with clean beaters until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into other mixture. Stopping as soon as the egg whites are incorporated.
6. Divide batter evenly among pans.
Bake 20 min for cupcakes, or 30 - 35 min for 9" cake pans. (2)

Icing
Mix with mixer; butter, champagne, milk and vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar. Mix for 5- 7 minutes until mixture is light and fluffy.
Ice cupcakes or layer cake. Add sprinkles if desired.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mint Brownies for St. Patrick's Day



Although I recently made these brownies for my Dad's birthday, I thought it was a great recipe to share for St. Patrick's Day because of the green frosting!   I know for a fact that Irish Americans love these brownies, so this recipe is no-fail for your St. Patrick's Day party.

Mint Chocolate Brownies

1 1/2 cups  (3 sticks) plus 6 Tbsp. butter, divided
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. water
1 tsp. mint extract
4 drops green food coloring
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350.  Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 pan.  Melt 2 sticks butter.  Stir in sugar and vanilla.  Add eggs; beat well.  Add cocoa, flour and backing powder; beat until well blended.  Pour batter into pan.  Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick is clean.  Cool completely.

Mint Center
Mix powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, water, mint extract and color.  Beat until smooth.  Spread on brownies and chill.

Chocolate glaze
Melt 6 Tbsp. butter and chocolate chips.  Cool slightly, pour over brownies.

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

* This recipe is courtesy of the Park Avenue Bakery in Helena, Montana.  If you want to eat them without going to all the baking fuss, stop in at the bakery for a sweet bite.