Birthday Cocktails & Sweet Treats
Birthday Cocktails & Sweet Treats
Today is all about birthdays! Enjoy this recipe for a White Chocolate Martini and easy whoopie pies that make delicious birthday treats! Recently I came across this quote: “When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman Oh how true it is. A year ago today, I was loving life but not truly living it to its fullest. A year has gone by and despite diversions in genetics, marketing, public relations, and career counseling, I have truly found what I am meant to do. For this reason, it might take me a titch longer than normal to get back to emails today (as I’m feet up, sipping on that cocktail you see above) but I will be “working” as it’s not work, it’s a dream come true on a daily basis for me. Now, no more gushy stuff, ON TO THE RECIPES….
BIRTHDAY COCKTAIL
I love rimmed cocktail glasses, I think it adds such a treat. Birthdays are all about colorful sprinkles and who says you can’t line a martini glass with nonpareils? I love it!
1 1/2 shots Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
1 1/2 shots half-and-half
1/2 shot vodka
Nonpareils
Light corn syrup
Dip rim of martini glass in light corn syrup (easiest to pour light corn syrup into a shallow plate and dip martini glass into plate). Pour out nonpareils onto a second shallow plate. Dip martini glass into nonpareils. Fill cocktail shaker with Godiva white chocolate liqueur, half-and-half, and vodka. Shake over ice and strain into martini glass. Enjoy! Optional: Top with a dollop of whip cream!
EASY BIRTHDAY WHOOPIE PIES
I like homemade goodies just like the next person, but sometimes shortcuts work and this one works!
1 box yellow cake mix
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, water, flour, and vanilla extract in a mixer and beat for 2 minutes. Using a small scoop or spoon, fill a parchment-lined baking sheet with even scoops of batter. Bake at 325 degrees for 5 to 8 minutes (watch closely!). Let cool.
1 package powdered sugar (16 ounces)
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Beat butter until creamed. Add in powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk until thick consistency. If too thick add more milk. If too thin add more powdered sugar.
Fill 2 whoopie pie cookies with vanilla buttercream frosting! Roll in shallow plate of sprinkles.
Do you have a friend that knows you so well she can see something in a store and say “that’s SO you!” For me that’s Jessica, and despite not being involved in party design, events, or anything related, she gave me the most darling gift. The UPS delivery man probably heard me squealing as he drove away when I opened the box that contained 4 cute mason jars, grey & white paper straws, a mini whisk, umbrella cookie cutter, and Porch Parties. So rest assured I am doing some sipping on a birthday cocktail and flipping through these pages.
I guess Whoopie pies are like the American version of French macarons? :)
I bet they taste just as yummy!!
White chocolate Martini? You guys trying to kill me?!! LOVE IT!!!
XOXO
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my Courtney! Hope
you have a WONDERFUL day!!!!
xoxoxox
Courtney, Have a great Birthday and Fabulous year.
Happy Birthday girlfriend!! And I LOVE the ideas! As always…brillant!
~Liz
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Courtney!! From all of the gals at Anders Ruff :) xoxo
That birthday cocktail looks simply divine! Must remember for my own bday celebration next month… ;)
Happy Birthday, Courtney! Enjoy your day, don’t “work” too hard, and thanks for giving us some great ideas on your special, special day!
Happiest Birthday to you!!! xoxo
Love this! Today is my twin girls’ birthday too. One year old! Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to YOU!! Of course you would come up with the most INSANELY cute cocktail EVER! Love that rim and sounds yummy!
thanks for sharing this! it just happens to BE my birthday today! guess what i am making tonight?? white chocolate martinis!!!!
Rimming a cocktail glass with honey (or syrup) is one of my FAVE tricks! It makes such a nice, clean line.
Happy Birthday and enjoy Porch Parties…it’s a delightful little book.
WOW! What a simply fabulous way to dress up the cocktails and sweets! Oh I just love when something is simple and fabulous…it doesn’t all have to be hard ;-) Great idea my dear!!!
P.S. Happy Birthday to you ;-)
xoxo
kristi
LOVING this!! Happy Birthday! :)
Love the pics today – so festive and fun. Have a sunny, funny day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Courtney!!!
have a wonderful day ;)
Happy Birthday!!!!! Dying for a Birthday Cocktail!! Hope it’s your best year yet!
Does this make you a sag?? My birthday is one week from today so I will definitely be dreaming of the white chocolate martini until then! Happy sweetest birthday, Courtney!! Thanks for all of the inspiration!
I’m totally loving the sprinkles! So festive, perfect for a birthday.
How cute are these!!! I love that the martini glasses rimmed with nonpareils can make you feel so “grownup” yet so young at the same time!!! Thanks for sharing!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday Courtney!
-Iris
WOW!! We love this birthday martini with the sprinkled rim! So cute! The recipe looks amazing too! We just had to include this in my round up of Birthday Martini Ideas! http://blovelyevents.com/2013/08/20/birthday-martinis/