Birthday food fun January 16, 2012

For my Birthday we started with individual 7 layer dip cups, labor intensive, but fun to serve!

The first layer is refried beans seasoned with your favorite taco seasoning.

Second layer is sour cream, you could flavor this with taco seasoning but I wanted the sour cream to be white.

Next layer is Guacamole, either homemade or store bought.

I added a good Pico de gallo for the next layer.

Followed by shredded Mexican cheese.

Sliced olives and scallions complete the 7 layers.

Add a couple tortilla chips with extra on the table, cuz two will not do!

On to dessert! Margarita cupcakes with Tequila spiked cream cheese frosting. But, first let me say, I am no baker!

I used Martha Stewart’s lemon cupcake recipe and substituted the lemon for lime with a bit of Tequila to get these delicious Margarita cupcakes.

A from-scratch cupcake and frosting inspired by the delicious Margarita cocktail.

Ingredients

For the lime cupcakes

3 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 eggs at room temperature

3 limes, zested and juiced

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup Tequila (optional)

For the frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 tablespoon lime zest

1 tablespoon lime juice

5 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325. Prepare muffin tins with paper liners or baking spray.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside. Cream butter and sugar on a high until pale, light, and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
3. Add eggs one at at time, mixing thoroughly before adding the next one.
4. Add lime zest and lime juice.
5. Turn mixer to the low. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk in two batches. Mix only until just incorporated.
6. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer shows only moist crumbs attached, rotating the pans at the halfway point. Allow cupcakes to cool completely in the pans before removing.
7. (Optional) While the cupcakes are still warm, brush the tops with tequila.
8. To make frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.
9.  Stir in the lime zest and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
10. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, 1 cup at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl thoroughly with a spatula after each addition.
11. Spread the frosting on your cupcakes, I used a piping bag with a tip.

I have to thank Pinterest for these fun food ideas! Enjoy!