St. Patrick's Day treats!

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - St. Patrick's Day is Sunday and if you're throwing a party you'll need some delicious desserts! Liz Corbett, The Party Hostess Diva, and joined us in the Mass Appeal kitchen to show us how to make some fun Irish treats!

Lucky Rainbow Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of 24 cupcakes, baked in green or white papers, according to the package or recipe.
• Green icing  to cover the cupcakes
• 1 (3 oz.) package of Air Heads brand Xtremes Rainbow Berry candy.(rainbow striped)
• 24 gold wrapped Rolos brand candies. You may substitute mini gold wrapped chocolate coins
• 1 bag of white mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Bake cupcakes according to package directions. Let them cool completely.
    
2. Frost the cupcakes with green tinted icing. Cut the rainbow candy strips into 24 pieces, each 3 inches long. Set aside.
    
3. Carefully with a small knife, cut a slit into the icing, on either side of the top of each cupcake. Gently press the ends of each rainbow piece into them so it bows up like a handle and resembles a three dimensional rainbow.
    
4. Next, carefully press 2 or 3 mini marshmallows near the ends of the rainbows, this will help secure them and they resemble clouds.
    
5. Place one gold wrapped candy in the center of the cupcake top, under the rainbow, or slightly toward one side, if you wish. Serve on a sturdy green or white plate or tray.

Shamrock Toasties
Toasted Cheese open face sandwich with green bell pepper shamrock garnish

Ingredients:

• 2 English Muffins split into 4 halves, or 4 slices of bread
• 4 slices of American or Cheddar cheese
• 4 slices of green bell pepper, cut across the pepper to make a shamrock shape
• 4 pieces cut from remaining pepper to resemble shamrock stems. Approx. 2-3 inches long and ½ in wide.

Directions:

1. Arrange the bread on an oven or toaster oven proof, baking sheet. Place one slice of cheese on each.
    
2. Place one slice of pepper in the center of each slice, and one small thin piece at one side to resemble the stem of the shamrock.
    
3. Broil or toast just until cheese is melted. Watch carefully.
    
4. Let cool slightly and serve warm.