Margarita Pie Time :)

Margarita Pie

This dessert is yummy but not too sweet. Perfect for the summer! 

 The crust is key make sure you get that done right! 

Crust 

1 1/2 cup crushed pretzels

1/2 cup melted butter

5 tbs sugar 

Mix together in a pie plate and press up sides and in bottom 

Filling 

1 can sweetened condensed milk (eagle brand was my choice) 

1/3 cup lime juice 

1 tbs fresh squeezed orange juice

1 tbs tequila

1 tbs liquid margarita mix

green food coloring to color

1 cup whipped cream (can make your own or use cool whip) 

Combine first 5 ingredients, then fold in cool whip, pour in shell, and freeze for several hours or overnight

Use remainder of whipped cream or cool whip to pipe on top in desired pattern. 

When ready to eat take out and thaw for about 10-15 minutes or sit pie  plate in bath of cold water for 5 minutes and then ENJOY!!

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These turned out perfect!! They are amazing with the cupcake baked but the cookie dough doughy! The dough does not have eggs so the fact that it is uncooked is okay!

For the cookie dough:

The dough recipe I got from this terrific site where I first saw these creations. It is simple and should be made at least an hour beforehand as you scoop the dough and freeze before baking. * special note here is that next time I would half the recipe as I had enough dough to make 48 cupcakes at least (remaining dough is in the freezer)!!

Recipe
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips - I used 12 oz (one bag) regular and they came out fine :)

Directions:
Combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tbsp scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.

For the cupcakes:

For the cupcakes you can use any white or vanilla recipe you like, if you have a favorite. It is not the important part so you could even use a box. I used the one I love from the Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book from the early fifties with my grandmother and mother's writings everywhere

Recipe:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 cups sifted flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup of milk
6 egg whites or 3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:
Cream butter and shortening. Add 1 cup sugar and cream together. Add vanilla and almond. Sigt flower, baking powder and salt together; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat till smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy and gradually add remaining sugar until soft peaks form. Fold mixture into batter. Fill cups about 1/2 way full and put one frozen cookie dough scoop per cupcake. Bake 15-20 minutes for cupcakes

Icing

The recipe called for a buttercream frosting, I used regular chocolate frosting and I think they turned out perfect. Once again this can be store bought but if you want to go all out here is a great chocolate frosting recipe I love!!

Recipe
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs hot water
3-4 oz chocolate, melted
1 egg slightly beaten
4 tbs softened butter

Directions:
Blend sugar and hot water into chocolate slowly. Beat egg into chocolate. Beat in butter one tbs at a time. Place bowl in pan of ice water and beat until consistency desired.


Pictures will soon follow! I can not find the cord from the camera to the computer (ugh). Happy

First Recipe! Artichoke Green Chili Dip

By request of a co-worker, Stephanie, my first recipe to share is the Artichoke Green Chili Dip I absolutely love!!

1 brick of pepperjack cheese
1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts (chopped)
2/3 small can of diced mild-medium green chilies
1 package of cream cheese
4-6 tbs hellmann's real mayonnaise

chop or grate the cheese and melt in the microwave with the cream cheese. add all other ingredients until smooth and creamy and eat with crackers or chips or pita chips!
Takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare and is terrific for potlucks or parties. Enjoy!!