Thursday 13 - St. Patty's (non-diet) Treats

With St. Patrick's Day coming up and being on a diet I thought I'd list my favorite St. Patty treats that I will miss enjoying this year.

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.  That's because I've already had two.  Oops.

Time to curl up with a hot St. Patrick's Day romance. 

I'm offering Love Knot FREE 

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SMASHWORDS

KOBO

BOOKTOPIA

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. 

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Check out more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE

Chocolate, Cheesecake and Bailey's!

 

I love cheesecake and chocolate. For St. Patty's Day, I found a sexy cheesecake recipe using Bailey's Irish Cream, is made with a chocolate crust and a has creamy chocolate filling. It's from Ali Martin, over at Gimme Some Oven. 

This decadent dessert is time consuming to make, but if you're like me you'll find the time spent is relaxing. Pop on some good tunes and let's get baking!

Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

•  prep time: 15 MINUTES
 
•  cook time: 70 MINUTES
 
•  total time: 85 MINUTES
 
•  yield: 12 -16 SLICES 

CRUST INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker (or chocolate cookie) crumbs
• 1/3 cup powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup (half a stick) butter, melted

CHEESECAKE INGREDIENTS:

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat)
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup Bailey’s (or other Irish cream liqueur)

CHOCOLATE GANACHE INGREDIENTS (OPTIONAL):

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
• 4 ounces dark chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

1. * Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs, confectioners’ sugar and 1/3 cup cocoa. Add melted butter and stir until well mixed. Pat into the bottom of a 9-inch well-greased springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes; set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
2. * In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, white sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and flour. Beat at medium speed until blended and smooth. (Try not to over-mix!) Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and Irish cream liqueur; mixing on low speed until blended. Pour filling over baked crust.
3. * Optional: To prevent cracking in the cheesecake, I’m a big fan of water baths! Just fill a 9×13 (or whatever size) glass pan halfway with water, and place it on the bottom rack while the oven preheats, and then while the cheesecake cooks.
4. * Place the cheesecake in the oven on the shelf above the water bath, and bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees, and continue baking for 60 minutes.
5. * With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, then remove the rim of pan. Chill for a few hours before serving.
6. * Optional: To prepare the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Then heat the cream (or half and half) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it is almost boiling.
7.  Remove from heat, and pour over the chocolate chips and let sit for 30 seconds. Then stir until the chocolate chips have melted and are mixed in well. Pour over the top of the cheesecake, and sprinkle with chocolate chips or chocolate shavings if you’d like.

Monday Mojo - How About a Cupa Joe?

Some of us can't even be near another human if we don't have our morning cup of coffee. 

Did you know there are various studies around the world 

investigating the effects of the hot beverage on sexuality?

One study say's it makes for bad sex. 

Maybe that's because you need that cup before you partake in a am romp.

Most of the studies I saw, spoke of the increase of desire, libido, stamina, enhancing performance, etc.

 The key is when to consume caffeine and the right amount. 

The best advise is to consume a cup a half an hour before activity.

 

On another note....
Green Beans Coffee is offering a pretty cool deal.

Anyone Can Send His or Her Own Special Message of Thanks to a Service Member

Serving Far From Home With a CUP OF JOE FOR A JOE.

More than 65 cafes throughout the Middle East, Africa, Southwest Asia and North America, Green Beans Coffee has provided a welcomed moment of respite where deployed services members can relax, enjoy premium coffees, teas and fresh baked pastries, hear great music and for a few minutes, escape into a peaceful oasis of tranquility that brings a little bit of home with every cup of coffee served.

With CUP OF JOE FOR A JOE, Green Beans Coffee is giving everyone an opportunity to express their support for our men and women in uniform through the simple act of buying a cup of premium coffee and having it delivered along with their own personalized message of thanks to a serviceman serving overseas.

Visit www.greenbeanscoffee.com and brighten the day by sending a little bit of home to a serviceman deployed overseas.