Here is the ultimate cupcake to make for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.  They are green velvet cupcakes with Irish whiskey cream cheese frosting and a built-in chocolate cup filled with green beer.

How to Make the Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes

Yield: About 15 cupcakes

• 2 1/2 C cake flour
• 1 1/2 C sugar
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 T cocoa powder
• 1 t salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 C vegetable oil
• 1 C buttermilk
• 2 T (1 oz.) green food coloring
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 t white distilled vinegar

1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt into a medium bowl.
2. Beat eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well combined.
3. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
4. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full with cupcake batter.
5. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or until cupcake bounces back when touched.

2. Fill the Cupcakes with the Chocolate Liqueur Cups

Wait for the cupcakes to cool completely (you don’t want to melt the chocolate). Then, using a small paring knife, cut a chunk out of the top of the cupcake and slide the chocolate liqueur cup in.

3. Frost With Irish Whiskey Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 C unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 C powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 T Irish whiskey

1. Mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in powdered sugar one cup at a time.
3. Mix in whiskey.

4. Fill the Liqueur Cups With Green Beer

(Recipe courtesy of Cupcake Project)

I am working on ideas for some candy topiaries and here are some I found to share.

I love these colors from the Crafty Sisters and these would be great centerpieces for an Easter celebration!

This one is made with Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

Here is another idea that would be great for Spring or Easter.

I love how the candy necklaces are incorporated into this one.

You can get instructions on how to make Dylan Lauren’s topiary here.

Are there even words for this candy topiary???

It’s time for the Oscar’s so have a golden celebration with your friends.

Server some tasty food that catches everyone’s eye by accenting the gold.  Decorate your table with red and gold like this one.  Make your guests feel really special by using gold flatware.  What about a baked potato bar using gold foil to wrap them in.  Meatball Sliders and Parmesan-Stuffed Dates wrapped in bacon would be great finger food to serve.  For dessert serve cakes have a gold topping.  These cookie awards are a great award for the end of the night from Bakerella.  Some Oscar drinks to serve are Liquid Gold; Avatar – Blue Angel; The Blind Side – Sidecar; and the Oscar Manhattan.  To keep your guests entertained during the night, be sure to download your own ballots from Twig and Thistle.

Hope you have a glamorous night!