St. Patty's Treats

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

 I thought I'd list my favorite St. Patty treats 

1.  Shamrock Cookies.

2. Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake. Get the recipe. 

3. Irish Black Bun Shamrock Cookies Get the recipe.  

4. Irish Chocolate Ice Cream (You add a cup of Irish whiskey to chocolate ice cream.  Yeah, baby!)

5. Shamrock Milkshake Cupcakes.

6. Black & White Irish Cream Cupcakes.  Get the recipe.  

7. Chocolate Stout Shake.  (Chocolate stout beer + choc. fudge + vanilla bean ice cream + milk = YUMMY!)

8. Toffee-Coffee Brownies.  Get the recipe. 

9.  St. Patty Cupcakes with green M&Ms

10. Dublin Eggnog.  (Eggnog + double-strength coffee + 6oz of Irish whiskey= wide awake fun)

11. Green beer.  I don't usually drink beer but thought I'd better put it on my list any ways.

12.  Rainbow Cupcakes. This recipe is so cool.  Check it out. 

13. Toffee Shortbread.  Ah... buttery shortbread, a layer of toffee with chocolate topping.  Sigh.  A favorite sweet among families in Ireland.  Get the recipe. 

If you've been paying attention, you'll notice McDonald's shamrock shake is not on my list.  I'm trying to watch my calorie intake. Wait a gosh darn minute... I've already had two.  Oops. My bad... so spank me.

I'll leave you with this thought... what better way to burn calories than to get all hot over a sexy Irishman!  Here ya go! 

Who is your favorite Irishman?

Check out this FREE St.Patty's Day story

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him.

In honor of St. Patty's Day

Love Knot is 

FREE 

on Smashwords.

Favorite St. Patty Recipies

In honor of St. Patrick's Day

I thought I'd post something Irish to get your mojo going.

Here is a couple of my favorite St. Patty recipes.  I suggest making them and enjoying them with your special someone.

Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

Ingredients:Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

·         1 1/2 cupsfinely crushed chocolate wafers (about 18 cookies)*

·         6 tablespoons butter, melted*

·         1/2teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

·         1 8 ounce carton dairy sour cream

·         1 cupsugar

·         1 8 ounce package semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

·         3 eggs

·         1/2cupIrish cream liqueur

·         2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk

·         2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

2.  For filling, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and melted chocolate. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Using a wooden spoon, stir in eggs just until combined. Stir in liqueur, whipping cream or milk, and vanilla.

3.  Pour filling into the crust-lined pan. Place springform pan in shallow baking pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken.

4.  Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

Chocolate Stout Shake

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chocolate stout beer or stout beer
• 1/2 cup prepared chocolate fudge ice cream topping
• 1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
• 1 cupmilk
• 6 purchased chocolate-and-nut-covered pretzel rods (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan heat beer and chocolate topping until warm and combined. Cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, in a blender combine ice cream and milk, half at a time. Cover and blend until combined. Divide ice cream mixture among 8 glasses. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and, if desired, serve with chocolate-covered pretzel rods. Makes 8 servings.

Chocolate Stout ShakePreheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

 Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

FREE St. Patty Read

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him.

In honor of St. Patty's Day

Love Knot is 

FREE 

on Smashwords.

Without saying a word, Robbie placed a box he carried as well as a highly polished apple onto the table and walked towards her. His hand slipped under her hair to cup the base of her head, while his other arm circled around her. When his lips came down on hers, Mimi had to grab onto him to keep from falling over in surprise.

Not a sweet kiss of friendship but an obvious promise of decadent pleasure. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. She could barely remember the last time he kissed her, not that she complained at the moment. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did. 

“Ah... welcome home?” She choked on the words. 

“Aye, I'm happy to be home.” The deep sultry voice slid down her body to her feet.

“Easy there big boy. Sheesh! What's with the kiss?”

“What's with the kiss? You're brutal, woman.” He grabbed his heart and faked feigned a heart attack. “You didn't like it?”

“You are such a goofball. It's just... you've never done that before.”

“I've kissed you before; many times actually.”

“But not like that.”

“That? Was something wrong with my kiss?”

“No, definitely nothing wrong; just different.”


“I want to do it more often.” He stepped in front of her and again pulled her against his hard body. “That is, if it’s okay with you.”