Whiskey Wednesday: Strawberry Whiskey Smash

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

In 2015, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Hot Toddy
Whiskey Sour
Sage Brown Derby

Make sure to check back each month for a new recipe!

Whiskey Wednesday will happen every first Wednesday of the month.

My friends have really gotten into Whiskey Wednesday
and almost always say yes when I ask if they want to test drinks with me.
There were five of us hanging out the night that we made this month's drink,
and we all were savoring our Strawberry Whiskey Smash until the last drop!

We based the drink off of this recipe,
but added fresh strawberries to make it even better!
I'm sure any berry would be tasty in this drink,
so feel free to use whatever variety you like best!

The Goods:

Whiskey

Simple Syrup

Fresh Mint

Lemon Juice

Strawberries

In your cocktail shaker, add a few spoonfuls of chopped strawberries...

And then add a good amount of fresh mint leaves...

Now add two ounces simple syrup...

And two ounces of fresh lemon juice as well.

Muddle everything in the cocktail shaker to release the flavors.

And finally top off with four ounces of whiskey.

Get your glasses ready and add ice to your cocktail shaker.

Shake for about 30 seconds - until nice and chilled!

Strain into chilled glasses with ice and a lemon slice...

And garnish with more fresh mint leaves. 

Cheers with your close friends...

And then enjoy your Strawberry Whiskey Smash!

I foresee this drink being very popular in the months to come.

It'd be perfect to sip on while sitting pool side during the Summer.

Note - the above recipe makes two drinks,

but could easily be cut in half if you're only making one!

Baked Donut Monday: Strawberry with Strawberry Glaze

Oh hello there Monday!!!

I'm back again for another Baked Donut Monday post

and today I'm going to tell you about some super tasty

STRAWBERRY BAKED DONUTS!!!

While thinking about what type of baked donut to make for February,

I was just a little bit stumped because I'd already made Red Velvet ones.

So of course I turned to Google and found this recipe that sounded amazing.

And pink donuts for Valentine's day would be just perfect!

 

The Goods:

Unsalted Butter

All-Purpose Flour

Sugar

Baking Soda

Salt

Milk

Vinegar

Vegetable Oil

Vanilla Extract

Eggs

Fresh Strawberries

Powdered Sugar

Freeze Dried Strawberries

 

Crush up your freeze dried strawberries with a hard object.

I used a hammer, but a rolling pin would work too!

Make your homemade buttermilk and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the following:
flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
Create a well in the center and set aside.

In large measuring cup, combine the following:
homemade buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla and eggs.

Pour the wet mixture into the well of the dry mixture.

Using a rubber spatula, mix until fully combined.

Add 2/3 Cup chopped strawberries and fold into the dough.

Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag.

Cut off the end of the zipper bag 

and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes,

until toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Cool in pans for a few minutes.

Remove from pans and finish cooling completely on wire rack.

Add 1/2 Cup strawberries and half of your powdered sugar to a large bowl.
Mix and let sit for one minute, then add remaining powdered sugar
and the crushed freeze dried strawberries, them mix again.

I found my glaze wasn't getting to the right consistancy,
so even though the original recipe says not to thin it,
I added 1 Tablespoon of milk and it worked perfectly!

Your glaze should drizzle off your wisk.

Take a cooled donut and dip into the strawberry glaze.

Place glaze side up on wire rack, letting glaze drip down the sides.

Once all donuts are dipped, put the tray into the freezer for five minutes.
This will allow your glaze to set up in a short amount of time.

Oh yum!!!

Now dig in and ENJOY!!!

Strawberry Buttermilk Baked Donuts
Adapted from Cooking Classy

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Homemade Buttermilk

1/4 Cup + 2 Teaspoons Vegetable Oil

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Eggs

2/3 + 1/2 Cups Strawberries, Chopped

3 Cups Powdered Sugar

1/2 Cup Freeze Dried Strawberries, Chopped

1. Crush up your freeze dried strawberries with a hard object. I used a hammer, but a rolling pin would work too! 
2. Make your homemade buttermilk and set aside. 
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.Create a well in the center and set aside.
4. In large measuring cup, combine homemade buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla and eggs.
5. Pour the wet mixture into the well of the dry mixture and mix until combined.
6. Fold in 2/3 cup chopped strawberries.
7. Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag. Cut off the end of the zipper bag and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.
8.  Bake at 3375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
9. Cool in pans for a few minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack.
10.  Add 1/2 Cup strawberries and half of your powdered sugar to a large bowl. Mix and let sit for one minute.
11. Add remaining powdered sugar and the crushed freeze dried strawberries, then mix again. If your glaze isn't thin enough, add 1 tablespoon of milk and stir to combine.
12. Take a cooled donut and dip one side into glaze. Place glaze side up on wire rack, letting glaze drip down the sides. Continue until all donuts are dipped.
13. Put the tray into the freezer for five minutes, allowing the glaze to set up in a short amount of time.
14. Now dig in and enjoy!!!

Strawberry Shortcake Push-Up Pops

I recently had the honor of making some tasty treats

for one of my best friend's baby showers!

Her sister and mom were planning everything 

and I offered to make something sweet!

After a little discussion, we decided on...

Strawberry Shortcake Push-Up Pops!

I've never made ANY version of a Push-Up Pop, 

but I've done my fair share of baking so I said "YES!"

I mean, how hard could it really be???

They didn't look that hard to make,

And a little extra work for such a great friend is worth it!

Keep reading to find out how the beauties above were made.

The Goods:

Boxed Pound Cake

Fresh Strawberries

Powdered Sugar

Whipping Cream

Vanilla

Eggs

Butter

Cream Cheese

Now before you start to freak out...

Yes, that is A LOT of ingredients in the picture above.

But it's everything that's needed to make FOUR times the original recipe. 

Why four times you ask?

The original recipe (found below) makes about a dozen, 

but I needed a total of 50, yes FIFTY, Push-Up Pops! 

Make the pound cake layer.

Combine cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/2 Cup butter.

Spread into a greased jelly roll pan and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/4 butter and soften cream cheese in microwave.

Beat cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, melted butter and vanilla

until fluffy - about three to five minutes.

Pour over pound cake mixture in pan, spreading to the edges.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

And done!

Cool cake completely.

Cut into circles with open end of push-up pop container.

Also, cut the same number of little squares using remaining cake.

Assemble your push-up pops,

and put them in the stands!

(Post on homemade stands coming soon!!)

When ready to make pops,

cut up fresh strawberries

and make some yummy whipped cream!

Assemble your Push-Up Pops!

Put a circle cake on the bottom of the pop,

then a layer of whipped cream and strawberries.

Now comes a little square of cake and of course,

more whipped cream and strawberries!!

That's it!!!

Put on the tops and cute little stickers and you're DONE!

With the mama to be!

These babies were a BIG hit and I can't wait to make them again.

And even try making a different kind of Push-Up Pop too!

Now for the recipe...

The recipe I used was found in the book, Push-up Pops.

But because I'm me, I modified the recipe just SLIGHTLY!

3/4 Cup butter, divided

1 box pound cake mix

4 eggs - room temp, divided

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

2 Cups powdered sugar

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Pints fresh strawberries

whipped cream - fresh or canned

To make the cake:

Combine cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/2 Cup butter.

Spread into a greased jelly roll pan and set aside.

Melt remaining 1/4 butter and soften cream cheese in microwave.

Beat cream cheese, 2 eggs, powdered sugar, melted butter and vanilla

until fluffy - about three to five minutes.

Pour over pound cake mixture in pan, spreading to the edges.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool cake completely.

Cut into circles with open end of push-up pop container.

Also, cut the same number of little squares using remaining cake.

To assemble your Push-Up Pops:

Put a circle cake on the bottom of the pop,

then a layer of whipped cream and strawberries.

Next add a little square of cake and some more 

whipped cream and strawberries!