Chilly Leprechaun Parfaits Recipes

CHILLY LEPRECHAUN PARFAITS

Steps:

• Using 4 parfait or cocktail glasses, pour half a shot of creme de menthe in each glass.
• Top with scoops of ice cream, then drizzle another half a shot per glass, over the ice cream.
• Garnish each with whipped cream if using, the chocolate mint candy and fresh mint sprigs. Enjoy!
• *We usually use more creme de menthe, like 2 shots per glass instead of one, but use your own judgment*.

MINT-CHOCOLATE LEPRECHAUN SHOTS

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add chocolate liqueur and peppermint schnapps. Shake vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into glasses.
• Beat heavy cream and vanilla extract in a chilled glass or metal bowl using an electric mixer until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar gradually, continuing to beat until soft peaks form. Beat in enough food coloring to reach desired shade of green.
• Place a dollop of green whipped cream on top of each shot and garnish with shaved chocolate.

CHILLY LEPRECHAUN SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix by using the on/off pulse function until the ingredients are mostly blended. Continue mixing, gradually increasing the speed, until the mixture is smooth. Pour the smoothie into a glass and garnish with a Crisp Banana Wafer (see Great Garnishes), if desired.From SINFUL SMOOTHIES: more than 130 dessert smoothies & other indulgences. Copyright © 2004 Donna Pliner Rodnitzky. All Rights Reserved.

LUCKY LEPRECHAUN MARTINI

Steps:

• Chill martini shaker and martini glasses. When time to serve, fill shaker with ice. Coat rims of glasses with either chocolate shavings or cocoa powder.
• Add vodka, liqueurs and cream to shaker.
• Shake, then strain into 2 chilled martini glasses.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARFAIT

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir pudding and crème de menthe. Dip the edge of a small mug in pudding and sugar, then layer pudding and crumbled brownie. Sprinkle green sugar on top and dig into this adult parfait.

SKINNY LEPRECHAUN HAT COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Roll dough into 24 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place 2 inches apart.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately place 1 marshmallow on each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• In large bowl, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla and 1/2 cup of the warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until frosting becomes a thick spoonable glaze. If frosting is too thick, stir in additional warm water, a small amount at a time. Stir in food color, adding more if needed to achieve desired color. Spoon warm frosting over each cookie, coating completely and allowing excess frosting to drip off. Let stand 20 minutes to set.
• Roll chocolate candies into ropes. Flatten with rolling pin into 1/8-inch-thick ribbons. Cut into strips with scissors to look like hat bands; arrange around base of marshmallow on each cookie. Cut gumdrops crosswise in half (reshaping as needed). Press cut side onto hand band. Lift cookies onto serving platter with pancake turner, leaving excess frosting behind. Store in airtight container.

CHILLED BLACKBERRY PARFAITS

Steps:

• Puree 6 cups blackberries in processor. Pour puree into fine strainer set over 4-cup measuring cup. Press on solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids in strainer. Measure 3 cups puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use). Stir 1 cup grape juice, 1 cup sugar and lemon peel into blackberry puree.
• Pour remaining 7 tablespoons grape juice into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir gelatin mixture over medium-low heat until gelatin dissolves, about 1 minute (do not boil). Gradually whisk warm gelatin mixture into puree mixture. Transfer to 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Mix remaining 3 cups blackberries and 4 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours, tossing occasionally.
• Spoon generous 1/4 cup blackberry gelatin into each of 8 parfait glasses or wine glasses. Top with a few sweetened blackberries. Spoon about 1/3 cup Vanilla Whipped Cream over. Repeat layering. Top with a few more berries. Garnish with mint and serve.