When the Summer comes around, it makes me realize how boring the Winter was. Every weekend someone’s having a picnic or a party or a birthday. It’s a really good problem to have.

Assuming you have one(or all) of those lined up for Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to share 4 of my favorite recipes to celebrate the warmer weather(of course if it’s too warm and chocolate starts melting, then it’s a travesty).

Any of these are a great way to finish off a picnic or a backyard barbecue depending on what your mood is. Each recipe is also gluten-free or easily tailored to be. 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Flag Cake–Because every memorial day needs some patriotism. The great thing about cake is that it can’t melt, so if it’s hot out you can still have a tasty time. This cake defies normal gluten-free cakes with a super moist base and a rich vanilla frosting. You can’t really go wrong.

Chubby Hubby Cheesecake is on my short list of recipes to make soon. It’s pretty much a home run with any crowd with good taste. It’s easy to make gluten-free, too, by using gluten-free pretzels or even vegan with dairy-free substitutes.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries are of course a classic dessert for any Summer party. As long as it’s not too hot out, these are a refreshing way to cool down. Create a variety by using milk, white, and dark chocolate.

Red, White, & Blue Strawberries take the chocolate covered strawberry idea and flip it inside out(literally). These take a little more time and skill but they’re worth the effort. If you’re up for a challenge and ready to impress, give these a go.

Happy Memorial Day!

St. Patricks Day has never been a favorite holiday. Perhaps because my birthday’s right around the corner, or Easter which is centered around chocolate eggs filled with candy(I mean, what’s not to love?). Potatoes, beer, and colcannon just don’t do it for me. But there’s one Irish food I can get down with.

Irish cream is made with just about everything bad for you, so naturally it’s one of my favorites. There’s nothing better than making a dessert with it and then sitting down to enjoy it with an ice-cold glass on the side. These are 3 of my favorite recipes with Irish cream you can enjoy this weekend(after the potatoes and beer, of course).

Bailey’s Frosted Brownies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 1 8 x 8 pan):

For the brownies:

• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4oz bittersweet baking chocolate
• 1/3 cup Irish cream

For the frosting:

• 6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Irish cream

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the oat flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, melt together the chocolate and butter.
4. While the chocolate is melting, beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and Irish cream.
5. Slowly pour the melted chocolate and butter into the egg/sugar mixture while whisking until fully incorporated. Don’t go too fast so that the raw eggs don’t cook upon contact.
6. Add the chocolate mixture in with the dry ingredients and mix completely.
7. Pour the batter in a greased 8 x 8 pan.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let these cool completely before frosting.
9. To make the buttercream, beat the powdered sugar, butter, and Irish cream heavily until it’s entirely mixed. Add a touch more buttercream if it’s too dry at first.

Bailey’s Hot Chocolate Truffles

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup(8.5oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 6 Tablespoons Irish cream
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup powdered hot chocolate mix*

*I wouldn’t recommend using a mix that is overly processed or full of chemicals. You could also mix 6 Tablespoons of sugar and 2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder for a nearly identical coating.

Method:

1. Melt the chocolate chips and butter together in a microwave or over a double boiler.
2. Mix the Irish cream into the melted chocolate until it’s smooth and shiny.
3. Refrigerate or freeze the chocolate until it’s semi-soft and doesn’t stick to your hands. You want it to be a little colder than you think it should be since your hands will warm it over time.
4. Pour the hot chocolate mix into a small bowl or onto a small plate.
5. With a melon-baller or a spoon, carve out pieces of chocolate about 1-inch in width. Roll the chocolate into as round a ball as you can and drop it into the hot chocolate mix.
6. Roll the ball around in the hot chocolate mix until the sides are all covered and move it to an air-tight container.
7. Refrigerate the truffles for 30 minutes for the right consistency before eating.  Keep them refrigerated when not enjoying.

Hot Amaretto Mochas

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients(Makes 1 serving):

• 6oz fresh brewed coffee
• 1 Tablespoon hot cocoa mix
• 1 1/2oz Irish cream
• 1/2oz amaretto

Method:

1. Make sure the coffee you’re using is steaming hot. If not, heat it up gently.
2. Stir in the hot cocoa mix until it’s completely dissolved.
3. Pour in the Irish cream and almond liqueur and stir well until blended.
4. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate if desired. Serve hot.