Shamrock Surprise Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven according to package directions. Grease a 9x5-in. loaf pan. Prepare one package cake mix according to package directions, adding food coloring and extract before mixing batter. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake and cool as package directs., Cut cooled cake into 1-in.-thick slices. Cut slices with a 2-1/2-in. shamrock-shaped cookie cutter (save remaining cake for another use). Stand shamrock slices at an angle in a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan., Prepare remaining cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter around and over shamrock slices. Bake and cool as package directs., For glaze, in a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, extract and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Pour glaze over cake, allowing some to flow over sides.

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners and spray with cooking spray. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the buttermilk, food coloring and vanilla in a spouted measuring cup; set aside.
• Beat the granulated sugar and butter in a stand mixer (or a large bowl if using a hand mixer) on medium speed until very light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. With the mixer still on medium, slowly add the eggs and beat until fully incorporated. Reduce the speed to the lowest setting; with the mixer running, add 1/3 of the flour mixture, then 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture, then 1/2 of the remaining flour mixture, then the remaining buttermilk mixture, then the remaining flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and beat until well mixed. Fill the prepared liners about 3/4 full of batter. Bake until the cupcakes bounce back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Put the flour in a small saucepan. Vigorously whisk in about 1/2 cup milk, making sure to get the whisk into the edges of the pan, until you have a smooth, thick paste. (This step keeps the flour from clumping.) Slowly whisk in the remaining milk until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is very thick, about 5 minutes. (Toward the end of the process, the mixture will become a thick paste; it may seem to be forming lumps, but whisk vigorously and the lumps will disappear.) Scrape into a bowl, press plastic wrap onto the surface and refrigerate until cool, about 45 minutes.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the cooled flour mixture a tablespoon at a time and beat until smooth. Switch to the whisk attachment (or continue with the hand mixer), add the vanilla, salt and 3 to 5 drops green food coloring and whip until very light and fluffy, like thick whipped cream, up to 10 minutes with a stand mixer or 12 minutes with a hand mixer.
• To assemble: Using a sharp serrated knife, cut 3 cupcakes in half vertically, gently sawing through the paper liners; set aside. Frost the remaining cupcakes. Put the sanding sugar on a small plate and roll the edge of each cupcake 3/4 of the way around in the sugar, making a green border around each with a gap on one side. On a large serving platter, arrange 18 cupcakes in groups of three, pushing them together at the gaps, to make 6 shamrock cakes. Dip the tops of the cupcake halves in sugar and wedge a pointy end of 1 half between 2 of the cupcakes in each group to form the stems.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise and mustard until smooth. Stir in the corned beef, onion, dill and salt. Using a 2-in. shamrock cookie cutter, cut out two shamrocks from each slice of bread. , Spread 1-2 tablespoonfuls of filling on the bottoms of half of the shamrocks; top with remaining shamrocks. Garnish with dill if desired.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• Make cake batter as directed on box, stirring food color into batter to desired shade of green. Bake cupcakes as directed. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, mix frosting and peppermint extract. Spoon about 1 cup frosting into decorating bag fitted with 1/8- to 1/4-inch tip. Insert tip into center of 1 cupcake, about halfway down. Gently squeeze decorating bag, pulling upward until cupcake swells slightly and filling comes to top. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
• Spoon remaining frosting into same bag; generously pipe frosting in circular motion on top of each cupcake, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with Oreo pieces.

Steps:

• Combine 3 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons vanilla-flavored syrup, 1/4 teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint) and 4 drops green food coloring in a blender. Puree until smooth and creamy, adding 1 to 2 more tablespoons milk if needed. Divide between 2 large glasses. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.

Steps:

• Stir hot water and Jello together until Jello dissolves.
• Stir in ice cream until it melts and blend well.
• Pour into 2 quart dish or mold and chill in refrigerator 4 hours or until set.

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes; cool completely., Meanwhile, with a pencil and paper, draw shamrock design. Cut out pattern. Melt candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl; stir until smooth. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in corner of bag. Place waxed paper over the pattern; pipe a shamrock design. Repeat 23 times. Refrigerate until set., Lightly brush wafers with corn syrup; brush with pearl dust. Gently lift candy shamrocks from waxed paper. Lightly brush bottoms with corn syrup; attach to wafers. Set aside., Place Andes candies in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over candies; whisk until smooth. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Dip cupcakes into melted mints; let stand until set. Press a shamrock-topped wafer onto each cupcake.