Tropical Storm? Let's throw a party!

Labor day is fast approaching, which sadly means school/work start again (a little pouting). Every Labor Day, we head to my parents' house on the bay in New Jersey.  It should be an interesting one this year if it is stormy skies!  

Nonetheless, our favorite pastime when we are all together is to eat. And I mean EAT.  and play games - but eating always comes first, and last. So what is on the menu?  

After attending our first clam bake two weekends ago, my husband and my brother decided that we could do it ourselves.  So they are catching crabs (I hope!), getting clams and mussels -and grilling it all with corn.  A big heaping mess on the table, but oh so good in our belly!

My end of the deal is dessert. (Mostly because this is my favorite!).  I am torn between these two:

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe (taken from Hoosier Homemade)

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place cupcake liners in pan, set aside.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest. In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy, add the sugar and beat until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beat well until well combined. Add half of the dry ingredient mixture, beat well. Add the milk, beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add remaining dry ingredient mixture. Fold in chopped strawberries.

Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Strawberry Lemonade Cream Cheese Frosting recipe…

• 1 (8 oz) block of Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
• Strawberry Puree, about 4-6 tablespoons
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Whip the Cream Cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Mix in the puree, lemon juice and vanilla. You may need to add more powdered sugar depending on the consistency.

How to make Strawberry Puree…

Chop about 1 cup of fresh strawberries. Place in Food Processor and puree as fine as possible. Then remove and strain. Using the back of a spoon, push strawberries thru strainer, smashing them.

Place frosting in a decorator bag and pipe onto cupcakes, decorate with a strawberry, piece of lemon or a little Pink Sugar.

OR

Margarita Cupcakes (from Hostess with the Mostess) - one of my FAVORITE sites!

INGREDIENTS

Cupcakes:1 box white cake mix
8 oz margarita mix (liquid)
2 oz tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier
3 egg whites
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp grated lime zest

Lime Buttercream Icing:
8 Tbsp butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp lime juice (approx 2 fresh limes)
1 Tbsp margarita mix
1 tsp lime zest
5 cups powdered (confectioners’) sugar
cane sugar & fresh limes (for garnish)
*****

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350º and prepare muffin pans.

2. Combine margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large glass and stir well.

3. In large bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mixture from step one. Stir ingredients together, then beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes.

4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup/liner about 2/3 full.

5. Bake at recommended temperature on cake mix box (usually 325º – 350º) for 20 – 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Icing:
6. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, lime juice, margarita mix, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

7. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons at a time.

8. Spread icing generously on each cooled cupcake* or use a pastry bag to frost. Sprinkle cane sugar around the edges of the cupcake for a “salt rimmed” look and garnish with lime wheels & wedges.

*Make sure to remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely before frosting.

Tip: Leftover frosting makes a great dip for fruit!

Both look so good, I think I might make them both!!  My sister in law is in charge of the dips, my mom in charge of the drinks (I will have to post our sangria recipes!!), and I covered dessert. Even if we get rained out, we will be with each other and our favorite foods!  

Happy Labor Day!