Happy National Root Beer Float Day

rootbeer

 

 

1. Root Beer Float Cupcakes , 2. Root Beer Float Cookies, 3. Root Beer Float Pie,

4. Stacked Root Beer Float Trifles, 5. Brown Cow, 6. Root Beer Float Cake,

7. Root Beer Float Popsicles, 8. Shot Glass Root Beer Float Cupcakes, 9. Root Beer Cookie Sandwiches

 

 On national root beer float day, there is nothing better than having a yummy root beer float in any form. Here are a few different ways to get your root beer fix. Enjoy!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Centers & Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Cupcakes with a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Center and Cream Cheese Frosting

CCCCCDCCCF … aka Heaven in your Mouth

Hello lover.

I first discovered these beauties on a trip when my dear friend made a white cupcake with a peanut butter cookie in the middle and chocolate ganache frosting.  I thought to myself, “Self, these cupcakes are the devil but you should make your own version with way more chocolate in them because I’m sure you can do that and only eat 1, maybe 2 of them.”  This is how I talk myself into making rich, buttery treats and what follows is several justifications on why I should eat more than 1, maybe 2.  But that’s a post for a different day.  Right now, let’s get you started on making the most delicious cupcakes you will ever stuff into your mouth.

ingredients

Now, sometimes I’m all about baking from scratch.  It’s a real art and super satisfying when you take a group of ingredients and make it into something magical.  So, if you want to make your cake batter and frosting from scratch, you go girl.  I, however, have 3 kids
Cookie dough comacircling my feet at this very moment.  They are like sharks and the cookie dough is the blood they seek.  So, for this particular recipe, I’m going with a cake mix and pre-made frosting.  I do always make the cookie dough from scratch though, for 2 reasons.  1 – Raw eggs.  Now I’m not too good to put a dollop or 7 of cookie dough in my mouth if it has raw egg in it, but apparently, you are not supposed to do that.  I also have a niece with an egg allergy and who am I to tell her she can’t have one of my delicious cupcakes?  2 – There will be leftover cookie dough, oh yes, leftover delicious cookie dough that you can use specifically for eating cookie dough.

So first, you have to make some cookie dough.  Delicious cookie dough.  You can buy ready-made cookie dough in a tube or those already shaped raw cookie dough packages.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the raw egg thing though.  I go with the classic Tollhouse recipe, with the exception of the
eggs.  **For each egg, substitute 2 tablespoons of milk.

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Flaky Kentucky Derby Pie

kentucky-derby-pie-5

Just so we’re clear… I’m not from Kentucky. I’ve never even been there. But I love Kentucky Derby Pie.

I was first introduced to this heavenly concoction by a neighbor, who actually is from Kentucky. Her broad, half-Samoan sons all played high school football, and to raise the money necessary to fund this activity, the sons would go door to door in the neighborhood, selling her famous homemade Kentucky Derby Pies.

They made a killing. The entire subdivision was waiting with baited breath for football season to begin. Or, I might just be assuming that, because that’s the way I felt. I gladly spent every dollar in my wallet on those pies.

Oh, and?… my pie was still warm when it was delivered!! I wish that woman would have some more football playing sons to sell me derby pies.

Oh, the heavenly aroma of chocolate chips and pecans in a flaky pie crust!

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Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

 

There is something so special about a simple vanilla cupcake, and when you add butter cream and strawberries? It couldn’t be a more perfect dessert for summer. Especially if you can find those amazingly ripe strawberries that are perfect this time of year.

Here is a simple and delicious vanilla bean cupcake with strawberry buttercream.

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