Golf Girl Cupcakes

I have more female friends that golf than male friends. This cupcake idea is for them! Actually, I think it would make a darling place card. I made the cupcakes and frosting from scratch and for the cupcakes, I concocted a brown sugar almond recipe, but wasn't completely thrilled with the outcome. (I'll work on it and post later because the batter was one of those that you eat like soup it was soooo good. The ingredient chemistry was off for the baking process and they were too spongy.) The frosting was amazing, so here's the recipe!

Coconut, Lemon, Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Add ingredients into a bowl and beat until blended. Tint green to make the frosting look like grass and ice baked cupcakes.

Photo Credit: John Sparano

Caviar Topped Triple Layer Cheese Torte

O.K. I know I always say, "This is my favorite recipe!" But, really, truly, honestly, this one for a Caviar Topped Triple Layer Cheese Torte absolutely is!

This is a total low-maintenance party food meaning that you set it out and walk away. With 100 servings of pure luciousness, you'll have little buffet replenishing at a party and many recipe requests.

Now there are always those who aren't fans of fish eggs. So, you can easily swap out the caviar for minced olive or tapenade and give the torte and Italian feel.

Caviar Topped Triple Layer Cheese Torte

2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese
1 cup finely chopped red onion
16 eggs, hard-boiled, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon white pepper, divided
4 large, ripe avocados, mashed
1/2 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
12 oz. black caviar or lumpfish roe
2 oz. red caviar or lumpfish roe

Mix together cream cheese and red onion until combined. Cover bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together eggs, mayonnaise, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together avocados, garlic, and lemon juice along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover bowl and set aside.

Layer ingredients into an 8-inch spring-form pan. Spread egg mixture on bottom and smooth top surface until even. Spread avocado mixture on top of egg and smooth top surface until even. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of avocado and smooth top surface until even. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Just before serving, spread an even layer of black caviar on top surface and create a red caviar star in torte center. Cut out a 5-point star, approximately 4 inches in diameter from thin cardboard. Remove torte from refrigerator. Place the torte on a flat tray or platter. Undo the spring-form pan latch. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the torte to loosen from the pan. Gently lift off the pan's collar. Place cardboard star on top in center of torte. Spread black caviar on top of torte around outline of star. Remove cardboard star and fill in star shape with red caviar or roe.

Wipe the side of the serving tray if necessary. Set crackers around the base of the torte and serve with a butter knife to cut into the torte and spread on crackers.

Makes 100 servings

Photo Credit: John Sparano