Mango-Lime Sandwich Cookies

I thought I discovered my favorite sugar cookie dough a few years ago, but my thoughts have changed.

Have you ever seen the decorated sugar cookies that Bridget does? I should have assumed that the recipe for the actual cookie would be just as good as the decorations she adorns them with.

Seriously, her cookies are a work of art.. I would have to start practicing now to be as good as she is in about 20 years...at least.

And her sugar cookie recipe is to. die. for. 

They're the perfect consistency and perfect for cut outs.

Definitely my new go-to sugar cookie recipe; they're even good when you jazz them up a bit...

Lime Sugar Cookies with Mango Curd

recipe adapted from Bridget @Bake at 350

Oven: 350 Bake time: 10-12 minutes

3 cups AP flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

2 sticks butter

1 egg

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lime juice

zest of one lime

Preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Lightly whisk flour and baking powder in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl cream sugar and butter. 

Add egg and extracts and mix until combined.

Gradually add flour mixture and mix until blended- dough will be slightly crumbly.

Before rolling out, knead with with hands until dough forms a solid ball.

Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.

Place on prepared baking sheets and transfer to freezer for about 5 minutes or fridge for about 10-15.

Immediately place cold cookies into oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool completely before icing or filling.

Once cookies are cooled its time to make the summery little sandwiches.

I used my Fresh Mango Curd, but you could use any jam or jelly.

Flip cookie over and fill with tablespoon of filling.

Place second cookie on top and push down lightly. Repeat with remaining cookies.

What kind of filling would you put in these zesty little cookies??

Happy Baking!

Margarita Cupcakes... tequila and all

Car troubles aside (still waiting on the part and driving around a pretty sweet red Honda in the mean time) there is baking to be done people!

One of the girls at work pretty much lives for a good margarita. Even though in Texas a good marg is pretty easy to come by,  for her birthday I knew what had to be done.. I had to figure out a way to turn her favorite cocktail into a deliciously satisfying cupcake that could be enjoyed during the work hours.

But don't let these lil rascals fool you...they're still packing heat (shhhh don't tell your boss!).

The funniest part about my trip to the liquor store for the goods? All the alcohol I bought is meant for baking. Sad story right? Who goes to the liquor store and still has baking on the mind? This girl.

The guy at the liquor store must have wondered what I was up to when I walked up to the counter with a bottle of tequila, a bottle of amaretto and a case of oatmeal stout. Random combination I know, but just wait till you see what I have in store for you in the next couple of weeks!

The greatest part about this recipe is that it starts with a boxed cake mix then doctored up with all the fixins for a good ole margarita- I could actually smell the tequila as it was baking.

Margarita Cupcakes
Recipe found on RecipeGirl.com
Bake time: 25 minutes Oven: 350
Makes 24 cupcakes

8 oz. margarita mix (no alcohol)

3 oz. of tequila

1 TBS orange juice

1 box white cake mix
4 eggs
2 TBS oil
zest from 1 lime

Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
In a large cup mix margarita mix, tequila and orange juice.
In a large bowl add cake mix, eggs, oil and 1 1/4 cup of mixed margarita (you should have a little left over). Mix until combined- don't worry if the batter is a little lumpy.
Using an ice cream scoop, fill cupcake liners (one scoop per).
Bake for 25 minutes.
Let cupcakes cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove and allow to cool completely on rack.

Tequila Lime Icing
1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 TBS tequila
1 TBS whole milk
zest/juice of 1 lime

In a large bowl cream butter. Add powdered sugar, tequila, whole milk and lime zest/juice- beat until well combined and smooth. If icing seems too runny just add a little more powdered sugar until good consistency is met.

Use a piping bag or a spatula to slather this delicious icing on your cupcakes. (One of the girls at work said the icing was the best part- she said it made you forget you were eating a cupcake)

All afternoon I could here the Oooos coming from the foyer where the cupcakes were located...

that's why I bake.. making people happy, one cupcake at a time :)

Happy Baking!