GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.-- The Minneapolis Dessert Examiner, Lisa Patrin, joined us this morning with her favorite 4th of July dessert recipes.
For more information about Lisa and her articles, check out www.examiner.com/dessert-in-minneapolis/lisa-patrin.
Mixed Berry Vodka Lemonade
12 ounce can of frozen pink lemonade concentrate
12 ounces raspberry flavored vodka
1 container of colorful confetti sprinkles (red, white and blue)
Crushed ice
2 cups of fresh mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are perfect for this drink)
In a one gallon pitcher prepare lemonade according to container instructions replacing one of the cans of water with the raspberry vodka*. Mix well.
Rim glasses with confetti sprinkles* and add crushed ice. Pour vodka lemonade over ice and add a few berries. Serve immediately.
*Wet the edges of the glass and dip in a bowl or plate holding the confetti sprinkles.
White Chocolate Dipped Waffle Bowls with Sprinkles and Ice Cream
4 ounce package ( contains 10) Keebler waffle bowls
1 bag white chocolate chips
Variety of colorful sprinkles, sparkling confetti sugar, mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate pieces, mini M & M's ect.
1 gallon of vanilla Ice cream (or multiple flavors of your choosing)
Jar of Maraschino cherries (stems on)
Set waffle cups on a large, parchment lined cookie sheet. Microwave white chocolate chips in a dry* bowl in 45 second bursts until melted or heat slowly in the top of a double boiler. Once melted and smooth, carefully hold the waffle cups upside down and dip the edges into the melted chocolate, twist gently to remove excess. Sprinkle immediately with your choice of sweet decorations and place back on the parchment lined sheet until ready to use. Repeat with all 10 cups. When white chocolate is hardened, fill with ice cream, top with a cherry and serve. Enjoy!
*Any water or moisture in the bowl or pan can cause the chocolate to seize up and become unusable.
Cooks Tip: These bowls can be rimmed with semisweet or melted dark chocolate as well. Apply the same preparation method as above and decorate accordingly.
Cheesecake with S'more Toppings
1 store bought traditional New York cheesecake*
1/2 cup crushed honey graham crackers
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Sprinkle crushed graham crackers over the top of the cheesecake. Next mound the marshmallows on top of the graham cracker crumbs. Heat semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second bursts until melted and smooth when stirred, cool slightly. Spoon melted chocolate into either a pastry bag fitted with a small tip or a freezer bag with the end snipped off. Pipe chocolate decoratively over the tops of the marshmallows. Let chocolate set for a few minutes, slice and serve. Refrigerate leftover cheesecake in a covered container.
*This is a quick and easy semi-homemade dessert. I have had very good luck with the cheesecakes that I have purchased at Costco and my local Super Target store.