Rainbow Cupcakes

These are really quite easy to make, just a little time consuming.

First you start with a yellow or white cake mix. Any old box cake mix will do! Mix according to instructions.

Then separate the batter in different containers. I used 6 colors, so I had 6 bowls. To each bowl, I added enough food coloring to get the desired shade. I lined my muffin tin, sprayed each cup, and then proceeded to fill each cup. I put one spoonful of cake batter into each liner. One tip I read said to have a bowl of water and use a finger dipped into the water to help you spread the batter out to the edges (the batter definitely doesn't spread well). Then bake according to the directions.

Most people top with a whipped topping or icing, but really, with all these bright colors who needs icing (or more sugar).

Irish Cream-Coffee Bars

Happy St Patrick's Day!


What better way to celebrate than with yummy Irish Cream-Coffee Bars!

Bars

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup cold butter
1 egg
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
2 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or crystals

Topping

1 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Irish cream liqueur
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
25 cinnamon sticks (2 inch)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, place cookie mix and pecans. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. With fork, stir in egg. Press half of cookie mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Reserve remaining cookie mixture.

2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir milk, 2 tablespoons liqueur and the coffee granules until well blended. Pour evenly over warm crust. Sprinkle reserved cookie mixture over top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate 1 hour to cool completely. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into bars (5 rows by 5 rows). Store bars covered at room temperature.

3. Just before serving, in small bowl, beat whipping cream, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon liqueur and the vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Top each bar with dollop of whipped cream; sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Insert cinnamon stick into each dollop of whipped cream.

I found this recipe on Flickr, but I am pretty sure they got it from Betty Crocker.com. Where ever it came from it's delicious!