Out of sight, out of mind

So I completely forgot about the AMAZING Bailey's cupcakes. Do you know why I forgot about them? Because they disappeared. My roommates devoured them, as well as the Thin Mint Cupcakes. While that might be a good thing, it really pissed me off! These were the most fun cupcakes I've ever made. I owe this to Becka and Shelley(and not having a blender)! These are best made if you turn it into a decorating competition and you must sit on the floor and mix the batter AND frosting by hand, with a whisk. It builds character. It also helps if someone insults you the whole time(Becka) and the other keeps throwing powdered sugar at you and the bowl(Shelley).

BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temp.
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temp
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups Bailey’s 
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Insert 24 liners into a cupcake pan.
2. n large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes with a stand mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the liqueur, water and milk. Mix well.
4. In third bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the liqueur mixture. Beat on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes.
6. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for about 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.
7. After cooled, poke holes in the top and brush with more Baileys!

BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (maybe more) Bailey’s Irish Cream(usually more. Just keep tasting)

Directions:

1. Cream the butter on high speed for approximately 3 minutes.
2. Add the Bailey’s and mix thoroughly. Slowly add the powdered sugar until well blended.
3. If necessary, add more Bailey’s to thin or more sugar to thicken it to desired texture.

I hate ranch. Yay for Blue Cheese!

This is one of my favorite recipes, mainly because I love Hot sauce and Blue Cheese! Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup any flavor FRANK'S® REDHOT® Sauce

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans (12.5 oz. each) SWANSON® White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

DIRECTIONS:

HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.

MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.

BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Early St. Patty's Day

I just made these cupcakes and they are AMAZING! Chocolate and Guinness are the greatest combination ever!

12 ounces Guinness® stout
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for garnish
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 pound confectioner

cocoa powder for dusting

INSTRUCTIONS

Makes 24 CupcakesPreheat oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Guinness®, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, and baking soda. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet Guinness® mixture.
Butter 24 muffin tins and divide the batter among the muffin tins.
Bake 25 minutes until risen and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out of the tins.
Make the frosting:
Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually Beat in the heavy cream. Slowly mix in the confectioner's sugar.
Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa.

ENJOY!!!!!

House Arrest

This unknown illness has left me on House Arrest, no driving(or drinking) at all! So I've had some time to peruse recipes. I've decided to post my favorite, one that I make often!


My favorite dip recipe (which I will be making this Saturday :D )


Cheesy Melty Bacony Dip

1	package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2	cup mayonnaise
1	garlic clove, pressed
1	cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
6	slices bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
1	large tomato, seeded and diced, divided (about 1 cup) Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and garlic; whisk until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, bacon, half of the tomato to cream cheese mixture; mix well. Bake 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining tomato.

Baby on the Brain.

I know I haven't posted in a while. Things have been hectic. On the hunt for a new job and have been very sick lately. I know things will get better. So here I go.

I've had baby on the brain like crazy lately. Yes, I'm young, but I'm ready to be domestic. I want to get married and start my family. I say this as I sit in my bed in my wifebeater watching jersey shore. Im clearly not ready for any of this responsibility. I've been watching alot of HGTV and TLC latley so I cant think about anything beside marriage, houses, and babies. But, I am completley content with that. We now have 5 people crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment and it is getting out of hand. Im so tempted to just uproot. Get my things, find a cute little house, take Tim hostage, and start our life as adults. That would make me the happiest girl in the world. I will update more after I see a doctor.

Lets begin this weekend the right way!

So I was supposed to be working tonight(now that im fulltime and all) but I have the night off to spend with my family and my man. How are you spending your Valentines Day Weekend? I hope it is something fun, even if you dont have anyone special, you always have me and can always spend it buying me great things!! Make sure you file your taxes as well(im getting 1300 back.. WOOT!) And then take your tax return and come back to Joliet and get sushi with me! Okay enough about me, more about domestication. Well there, I have nothing today. I'll try again later. Love you all!

One week until Valentines Day

So the most romantic(and special day in the whole year!!!) is almost here! Next Monday is my Birthday(oh ya, and Valentines Day). I understand that Valentines Day is much more important so lets talk about that! Someone set this calendar up wrong since this year it is on a Monday. Who celebrates romantic things on a Monday? No one. So here is how we fix this. Let a gorgeous man take you out on Saturday and wine a dine you. That is how it should be done. Then you invite said gorgeous man over on Monday to relax and watch movies. Get a bottle of bubbly wine, make some chocolate covered strawberries, rent a romantic movie(kickin it old school or anything with Jeff Bridges), and dress in something cute. This is a cheap way to have some fun(and no i'm not talking about sex) without too much stress. Good luck my lady friends at snagging yourself a sexy man worthy of lady boners!