Featured | She Plans Parties

Green Velvet Cupcake Recipe with Cream Cheese Icing

February 21, 2013 By: Linettecomment

You’ve probably heard of red velvet? It’s very popular for Valentine’s Day and Christmas, but what about green velvet? If you’re looking for a festive cupcake idea for St. Patrick’s Day or spring give this green velvet cupcake recipe with cream cheese icing a try.

Ingredients:

Green Velvet Cupcakes:

2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons kelly green food color
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream Cheese Icing

1-8 ounce package of cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup of butter (room temperature)
4 ¾ cup confectioner sugar
3-4 teaspoons of water

1. Preheat your oven to 350`F.

2.While the oven is heating mix up the batter for your green velvet cupcakes. Sift together the flour, baking soda and cocoa in a medium mixing bowl.

3. In a large bowl combine the butter, buttermilk, sugar, eggs, green food color, vinegar, and vanilla.

4. Add in the flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time, pouring slowly.

5. Beat the mixture with a hand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until well combined.

6. Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 of the way full with the green velvet cupcake batter.

7. Bake the cupcakes for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Place the finished cupcakes on a cooling rack to cool.

This recipe will make about 2 dozen cupcakes.

To make the Cream Cheese Icing:

1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.

2. Add the water and confectioner sugar slowly while you mix.

3. Blend until the icing will hold its shape. If the icing is too thin, add a little more confectioner sugar, or refrigerate it for a few minutes to chill it. If it is too stiff add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time.

4. Ice the cupcakes with a spatula, or use a round large decorating tip attached to a pastry bag to swirl the icing onto the cupcakes.

5. Top with green sprinkles and enjoy!

Green velvet cupcakes are perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day school party or an Easter Brunch! They’d also be fabulous mixed with red velvet for a Christmas celebration!

Ohio State Food and Party Ideas

August 30, 2012 By: Linettecomment

Since we live in Ohio, of course we’re big Ohio State fans at our house! Of course that means when college football season hits it’s party time! I want to share a few of the Ohio State party ideas I’ve collected over the last few years to help you plan your own Ohio State party!

First up I have some really cool Ohio State party supplies, check them out! These would look super cool on game day, or for an Ohio State birthday party.

You can find all the details on these party supplies by clicking on the image or here: Ohio State Buckeyes College Party Supplies

You can’t have a party without the food! I’ve rounded up a few Ohio State and football related food ideas to share, check them out! First up you can use these super easy Ohio State Buckeyes Cupcake Pennant Picks

…to make these Ohio State cupcakes. Super easy! Just ice your cupcake, and insert the pennants!

Or you could make an Ohio State cake like this one!

Just make a rectangular cake and cut a triangle off of each corner, and ice with scarlet and cream or white icing.

I went to a picnic this summer, and someone brought this Ohio State watermelon, so of course I had to snap a picture to share!

Just cute a thick slice out of the center of the watermelon, cut out the center and triangle the corners. They used some herb leaves (I think basil), and some black olives for the buckeyes in the corner. Cute!

I really love this guacamole football field! You can find the details on how to create it here: Guacamole Football Field.

When you’re dressing up the table you could use a football and floral centerpiece like this one. I found a similar one at Amazon here: Ceramic Football Planter

Here’s another Ohio State party supply pattern.

You can check them out here:
Ohio State Univ. Party Pack Kit

Here’s an Ohio State party table layout I snapped a picture of a while back. Love the black tablecloth! Gray would be pretty too.

I like the football helmet centerpiece, I found a similar one here: Ohio State Buckeyes Helmet Centerpiece

It would make a really nice centerpiece, either for snacks or for a planter.

What food and decorating ideas have you come up with for your Ohio State party?

Zoo Baby Shower Supplies, Games and Ideas

April 11, 2011 By: Linettecomment

Everyone loves baby animals, so it’s only fitting one of the most popular themes for baby showers is the zoo party theme. I thought I’d put together a collection of Zoo baby shower supplies and ideas to help you with your party plans.

My favorite shower party supplies are these Zoo Crew party supplies from Baby Shower Stuff.

Aren’t they just adorable? You can find them here: Zoo Crew Party Supplies

My absolute favorites are the Zoo Crew cupcake holders.

If you’re more the do it yourself type, you can recreate this elephant cupcake topper, it would work really well for a zoo party theme.

He’s not hard to make, the instructions are here: Elephant Cupcake Topper.

You can also find a large selection of Zoo baby shower invitations on eBay here: Zoo Baby Shower Invitations

Most can be customized, and will come pre printed with your shower information on them.

Zoo Baby Shower game ideas:

Play pass the elephant. Grab a small stuffed elephant (or another zoo animal) from your child’s collection or from the store. Every time the hostess or hostesses say “baby” the elephant gets passed one to the right. Whoever ends up with the elephant at the end gets a prize.
List some popular zoo animals, then have your guests come up with the names of their babies. You can make this a matching game, or really make it tough and make them come up with the names on their own.
Zoo animals word search, or word scramble. Come up with some zoo animals or terms and jumble them up, or hide them in a word search. some good words to use include: elephant, lion, ticket, bear, giraffe, zoo, show, penguin, monkey, panda, you get the idea!
Play pin the tail on the lion, or pin the trunk on the elephant. Pin the tail is not just for kids! You’ll get tons of laughs even with adults trying to pin the tail on anything while they’re blindfolded! And you’ll bring back some fun childhood memories.

The most important thing is to have fun and pamper the mom to be!

Fall or Holiday Party Idea: Apple Tasting Party

November 15, 2010 By: Linettecomment

Today I have a fun twist on a holiday wine or cheese tasting party from, home entertaining expert Domenica Marchetti. Domenica suggests a fun (and healthy) twist on the wine and cheese pairing party. The author of Big Night In says, “Embrace the season’s bounty and involve the whole family: host an apple tasting!”

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea! There are so many wonderful apple varieties and flavors, and so many ways you can present them to your guests.

More than 2,500 apple varieties are grown in the United States, and about 20 are widely available nationwide, according to the U.S. Apple Association. “Yet, many consumers gravitate to the same two or three varieties,” she says. “An apple tasting can be a fun experience for your guests as they sample the range of flavors, textures and colors along the apple spectrum.”

Marchetti offers some great tips to help you host your apple tasting party:

Select three to six varieties, including sweet and tart. One suggested lineup: Golden Delicious, Gala, Jonagold, Braeburn, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
Line up each variety and identify them with a simple place card, then place sliced apples for sampling in front (provide utensils for safe handling). TIP: to prevent browning, dunk apple slices in vitamin C-fortified 100% apple juice.
Provide toasted walnuts as a palate-cleanser and tools for note-taking.
Have guests sample varieties individually. Challenge them to note unique characteristics, such as size and shape. Also discuss skin color, flesh firmness, and the apple’s aromas and juices. Finally, have them describe the flavor — sweet, tart, spicy, floral, etc. Perhaps one emerges as a favorite. TIP: For adults, refrain from drinking alcohol during the tasting as it will dull the taste buds.

Once all the apples have been sampled, showcase their versatility through creative pairings, from artisanal cheeses to sweet and savory spreads, Marchetti suggests.

“You may also choose to incorporate an assortment of delicious apple products,” she says. “Include apple butter as a bread dipper, or serve dried apples. And don’t forget to toast to your guests with a steaming cup of apple cider or an apple cocktail!”

See Marchetti’s suggested “Pairings and Simple Recipes,” or visit www.usapple.org for inspiration.

SOURCE U.S. Apple Association

Guacamole Football Field

November 9, 2010 By: Linette2 Comments

With football in full swing, and everyone rooting for their favorite teams, I thought I’d share one of my favorite football party dips today. You can use this for your parties coming up for those college bowl games, or Superbowl party too. I’ll have some more football party and food ideas, and recipes coming up in the next few weeks!

Here’s a really cute idea from Wholly Guacamole.

Football season traditionally means tailgate time, play-off parties and a table of unhealthy dips loaded with calories–70 per tablespoon for spinach dip and a whopping 90 per tablespoon in buttermilk ranch. With Americans deriving an estimated 30 percent of their daily calories from outside traditional meals, the trend in party fare is to serve healthier options. At just 25 calories per tablespoon, adding pre-made, all-natural guacamole to the party line-up makes a game-time winner.

The Recipe:
Wholly Guacamole Gridiron Game Time Dip
Prep: 30 minutes

Ingredients
– 1 Tbsp butter
– ½ cup red bell pepper
– ½ cup onion, chopped
– 2, 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed / drained
– 2 tsp fresh chopped jalapeno peppers
– ½ tsp ground cumin
– 1 cup salsa
– 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
– 14 oz Wholly Guacamole
– ½ cup sour cream
– 1 bag tortilla chips

Instructions:
1. Melt butter in skillet; add peppers and onion. Cook over medium heat until onion is softened. (4 minutes). Stir in beans, jalapenos and cumin. Cook until heated.

2. Transfer 1 cup of bean mixture to a food processor, process until smooth. Return blended mixture to remaining mixture and stir to combine. Spread onto an 11×8 baking dish. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

3. Just before serving, layer over the bean mixture: salsa, cheese and top with Wholly Guacamole.

4. Spoon sour cream into resealable plastic bag. Snip off small corner and pipe sour cream lines over the guacamole to resemble yard markers on a football field.

Image and Guacamole recipe via Wholly Guacamole

Light Thanksgiving Recipes~ Turkey Cranberry Wraps

October 27, 2010 By: Linettecomment

If you’re looking for something lighter for your Thanksgiving meal this year, or maybe you’re serving lunch, and you don’t want everyone to leave feeling stuffed. Today I have the perfect recipe for a quick Thanksgiving luncheon, or light dinner meeting with friends. These Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps would also be perfect “finger food” for a baby or bridal shower. They’re a great alternative to sandwiches.

Many of your guests will appreciate the fresher flavors, and lighter feel of this delicious wrap recipe from Mission Menus.

The best part is this is such a simple recipe! Just layer everything in and wrap. I love easy fun recipes like this!

Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps
Ingredients:

4 Mission Life Balance tortillas
8 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
4 tablespoons cranberry chutney
4 tablespoons dried tart cherries
8 slices or ounces turkey breast
8 thin slices red onion
1 cup chopped lettuce

Directions:

Lay each tortilla flat and coat each with 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chutney, 1 tablespoon dried tart cherries, 2 slices turkey, 2 slices onion, and 1/4 cup lettuce. Roll into a tight wrap and serve. Makes 4 wraps.

You could easily double or even triple this recipe, depending on how many guests will be there.

Image and recipe courtesy of Mission Menus

Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

October 25, 2010 By: Linettecomment

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, don’t forget to include a dinner cocktail or two. Today I have a couple more yummy Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, courtesy of Blue Ice Vodka, the flavors combinations in these cocktails are all very fall, and holiday.

Maybe one of these can work as the signature cocktail at your Thanksgiving dinner bash.

This can be a great way to help out the party hostess, you can offer to pitch in with the cocktails for your contribution to the party. Just bring all the ingredients to mix up these Thanksgiving cocktails at your party destination.

These recipes can be great conversation starters, and your friends will be impressed that you came up with recipes so perfect for the fall season.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

4 parts Blue Ice Vodka
1 part DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup
Cinnamon Sugar

Add Blue Ice and Pumpkin Pie Syrup to a cocktail shaker, shake well and strain. Garnish with an orange slice and pour into a cocktail glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar

Chilled Pumpkin Latte

1 ounce Blue Ice Vodka
¾ ounce coffee liqueur
¾ ounce DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup

Build over cubed ice in a 12- to 14-ounce Collins-style glass

All-American Chilled Apple Pie

1 1/4 oz Blue Ice Vodka
3/4 oz Tuaca Liqueur
1/2 oz Sweet & Sour
Fill with Chilled Apple Cider

Build in order over ice in a 12 oz glass, garnish with a lemon slice, a long cinnamon stick, and a straw.

Don’t forget to remind your guests to always drink responsibly!

More fall inspired cocktail recipes for your Thanksgiving party:

Pumpkin Pie-tini

Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail

Images and recipes courtesy of Blue Ice Vodka

Healthy Fall Party Recipes~ Roasted Acorn Squash

October 23, 2010 By: Linettecomment

The weather’s turning cooler, and that definitely puts me in the mood for fall flavors and entertaining.

I enjoy fall parties, because they’re usually cozier and slower paced than summer parties, I can also serve some of my favorite comfort foods to guests. If you’re looking for a recipe that for a cozy fall dinner party check out this recipe for roasted acorn squash. I love winter squash this time of year, it’s a comforting flavor.

This recipe is courtesy of Season 52 Restaurant. Their entire menu is created around a positive lifestyle, with natural cooking techniques, including open fire grilling. Yum!

Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

1 ea Acorn squash
12 spritz Extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp Kosher salt
Pinch Black pepper, fresh ground

Procedure:

Wash acorn squash in cold water.
Cut squash in half.
Scrape out all seeds with large kitchen spoon.
Cut acorn squash into 4 wedges.
Place wedges on a sheet tray.
Spritz squash with extra virgin olive oil.
Season squash with salt and pepper; stand squash cut-side up on tray.
Roast in 425º oven for 40 – 45 minutes total.
Spritz twice with olive oil during roasting and turn tray in oven.
Remove from oven and brush squash with spiced cider glaze.

Serves: 4

Tailgate Party Recipes~ Beer Brats On The Grill

October 22, 2010 By: Linettecomment

Happy Friday! It’s time for the weekend, and this time of year that means it’s also time for some football and a tailgate party or two! So get out the grill, throw it in the back of the truck (gently so there aren’t any broken piecs), and get ready for a tailgate party!

Today I thought I’d share my favorite (and easy) recipe for beer brats on the grill.

You already have the beer in the cooler (Just make sure you’re not drinking it if you’re the one behind the wheel!), just bring the brats, and a few other things and you’re ready to go.

Beer Brats Recipe

1 pkg of your favorite brats
1-2 cans of beer
1 sliced onion
1 sliced green pepper
your favorite buns
a disposable aluminum pan to cook them in.

Heat up the grill. Put the sliced onion, 6 brats, beer, and green pepper in the aluminum pan, and put over medium heat on the grill. Cook the mixture for 15-20 minutes, or until the brats are cooked through. If the beer does not completely cover the brats turn them every few minutes, or add more beer.

When they’re done cooking in the beer I like to throw them directly on the grill for a few minutes to brown them up before serving.

If you need to cook more brats, just add a can of beer, a half an onion, and a pepper for every 6 brats added.

You can also use this method to cook hotdogs, or italian sausage.

Serve your beer brats, with the onions and peppers, on a bun. Enjoy!

Image via stock.xchng

Using Gourds For Fall Party Decorating

October 20, 2010 By: Linette3 Comments

Today I have some fun ideas for you using one of my favorite (and low cost) fall decorating materials~ gourds. I love using gourds to decorate in the fall, and they make fabulous party decorations and centerpieces. You can use gourds several ways, either by themselves with other fall favorites.

Gourds are inexpensive, and come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. I think that’s why they’re so versatile for fall decorating.

Here are some ideas you can use to make simple party decorations featuring gourds:

Scatter them around the center of your tables, with a few miniature pumpkins and colorful fall leaves.
Put them in a basket together.
Paint faces on them, and make them fun for a kid’s party.
Place them around the base of potted mums.
Add them to a cornucopia.
Dry them and cut them out to use as serving bowls.
Mix fall flowers in with them for even more color and variety.

Gourds are so versatile, and since they’re also very affordable, especially if you grow your own.