Green Velvet Cupcakes

St. Patrick’s day is all about green, and what would be a better way to show that than a festive spin on a delicious classic?

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 Tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 oz green food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly whisk eggs in a bowl, and add in oil, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla, and food coloring.
3. Put the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl and stir.
4. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix on medium-high for two minutes.
5. Pour the batter into the muffin pans you prepared, and cook for 16 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 oz package of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 lbs powdered sugar
• Milk as needed
• Green Food Coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract.
2. Add powdered sugar to the mixture gradually.
3. To gain the desired consistency, add in milk gradually.
4. Add in food coloring until desired color is reached. (optional)

Shamrock- Shaped Ginger Snaps

What says Ireland better than red hair? Celebrate the holiday in a not-so-green way!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Stir the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat the shortening in a separate bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the sugar, then the egg and molasses.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients
5. Roll mixture into balls, and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
6. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 10 minutes.

Limeade

Finish off your St. Patrick’s Day treats with a refreshing, cool, green drink.

Ingredients:

• 3 limes
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 quarts cold water

Directions:

1. Squeeze lime juice into cold water, and add sugar gradually.