Derby Treats: Mint Julep Cupcakes, Derby Sugar Cookies, & Derby Pie

By Sarah

Yes, based on the title of this post we had a lot of yummy food at our 2013 Derby Party. Each year my husbands family takes turns to host a Derby party.  It is one of my favorite get togethers of the year because not only do we have yummy food and drinks, but lots of gambling on horses too.  This year was our turn to host, so of course I had a bunch of desserts that I wanted to try.

Thanks to Pinterest I came across the cutest Mint Julep cupcakes and Derby inspired cookies. I decided I had to recreate these items! If you have ever had a Mint Julep drink, you either love it or hate it. The drink is not something I am actually too fond of, but the cupcake is another story!  And if you are a fan of bourbon you will love this recipe! The cupcakes are very fragrant and smell delicious.  (Note - probably not a great idea to eat these for breakfast before work ;) Even though they smell strong of bourbon, the bourbon and mint taste is not overpowering.

And of course, I had to make a Derby Pie.  This is one of my all time favorite desserts and reminds me of a really gooey, chocolate chip cookie.  My husband's Aunt Janie actually gave me this recipe and it is a keeper!! Thank you Janie for sharing!!

Mint Julep Cupcakes

Recipe based on The Baker Chick's recipe

1 Box Pillsbury Moist Supreme White Cake Mix plus the ingredients it calls for on the box

1 Cup Bourbon

1 teaspoon Mint extract

Mint leaves

Directions
1. Mix cake mix together as directed on box and add the 1 cup bourbon and 1 teaspoon mint extract to the mixture.  Bake as directed.
2.  Once the cupcakes are cool, prick holes in the top of the cupcakes with a fork.  Brush tops lightly with bourbon.
3. Ice cupcakes.
4. Top with mint leaves as garnish.

Bourbon/Mint Buttercream Icing

1.5 cups softened unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 lbs. powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon mint extract

1 Tablespoon bourbon

1-2 tablespoons milk 

Directions
1.  Mix butter and salt on medium for 5 minutes until pale and smooth.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2.  Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Mix on low.
3.  Add mint and bourbon and mix on low to combine.
4. Add up 2 tablespoons of milk to reach the desired consistency of icing.

Derby Pie

By Janie Anthony

pie shell

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1 cup chocolate chips

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 beaten eggs

1 stick melted butter

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions
1.  Mix sugar, flour, & butter.
2.  Add eggs, nuts, chocolate chips, and vanilla and combine.
3.  Pour mixture into pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

For the sugar cookie recipe, please see my previous post called the Iced Easter Sugar Cookie post.

I didn't have a cookie cutter, so I found this picture on the internet and used it to cut out my cookies.

Jockey Cookies, Derby Hat Cookies, and Horse Shoe Cookies

Jockey Cookies

Derby Hat Cookies - I made these by putting smaller cookies on top of larger ones and securing it with royal icing.

I happened to have an extra cake that was not used for an event so I decorated it to match the cookies.

Some of our food.

Strawberry Roll Cake

by Cindy

I've been a little lax lately and haven't posted in a few weeks.  I actually made 2 pink desserts, but one turned out a mess and the other was just ok., so I didn't post them.  I been trying to find more cake roll recipes because I like making pumpkin rolls so much.  I found this recipe with fresh strawberries.  It's kind of like a strawberry shortcake but rolled up.  I think rolled cakes make an impressive dessert.  They aren't  that hard, and with this cake, the flaws can be hidden by whipped topping.  The strawberries I bought were so delicious.  I remember picking strawberries with my dad and brother and eating more than I picked.  There seems to be a pattern there.  lol  Strawberries are plentiful in the grocery stores, but the memories of picking them with the family are priceless, so make memories with your family.   

Strawberry Roll Cake

1 hrs 15 mins

Prep: 1 hour

Cook: 15 mins

1 cup flour

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

4 medium eggs

1 1/2 c sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 t vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

8 ounces whipped topping

16 ounces fresh strawberries, chopped (2 cups)

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a jelly roll pan with wax paper.  (Make sure the paper is turned     where the paper is rolled down.  If it's the other way the edges can roll up and batter will get under it and bake there).
2.  In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3.  In a separate larger bowl, beat eggs until thick. (4 to 5 minutes)
4.  Gradually beat in sugar.
5.  Blend in water and vanilla.
6.  Gradually add sifted dry ingredients and beat just until smooth.
7.  Pour batter onto wax lined sheet and spread evenly with spatula.
8.  Bake 12-15 minutes in oven.
9.  While cake is hot and fresh from the oven, turn out on a powdered sugar covered towel.  Roll from the short end and place in the refrigerator until cooled completely.  At least an hour.

10.  When cake is completely cooled, remove from refrigerator and unroll.  Spread on whipped topping and sprinkle with chopped strawberries.  Re-roll.

Garnish with additional strawberries, whipped topping or powdered sugar.

recipe from

Food.com 

Strawberry and Creme Cookie Sandwiches

By Christy

 

This week our topic was to bake something "pink", hence the inspiration to make these Strawberry Cookies and Creme Cookie Sandwiches. The cookies, not including the icing, are literally only 4 ingredients. I thought the cookies were SUPER good plain. They were extremely moist, had the perfect hint of strawberry, and the white chocolate, chocolate chips were the perfect touch! I did decide to take these cookies to the next step and I made cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting. In my opinion EVERYthing is better with icing on it! lol These cookies are like nothing I have ever had and are quite unique and different. I will definitely be making these again!


Cookie Ingredients:
Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix (or any other strawberry cake mix)
2 Eggs
3/4 cup Crisco
1 cup white chocolate chips

Frosting:
4 oz softened cream cheese
4 tablespoons softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar




Preheat oven to 350. To make the cookies mix the cake mix, eggs, and crisco. The mix will be very thick but they bake up perfectly. Once batter is mixed, add the chocolate chips. Bake for 10 minutes or until they show signs of browning around the edges.

Let cookies cool.

While cookies are cooling make the frosting. Using a mixer, whip the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar until the icing is smooth. Simply put about 1 to 2 tsp on a the bottom side of the cookie and sandwich it with the bottom of another cookie to make a cookie sandwich.