Baking my way through the trials and triumphs of life!

A few days ago I made caramel, chocolate, oatmeal bars. I’ll share the recipe this week. It’s a good one! Chocolate chips and caramel are sandwiched between an oatmeal crust and an oatmeal topping. The topping makes them rather crumbly. After cutting the bars into squares, I was left with a whole bunch of oatmeal cookie-ish crumbs. Normally, I’d eat the crumbs myself. I find it almost impossible to throw away dessert crumbs. Then, I’d feel guilty about wasting completely perfect crumbs… guilt over crumbs, I know. It’s that Catholic gene on my mom’s side that I seemed to have inherited, and even though I’ve never been in a Catholic church, the Catholic guilt still plagues me. But seriously, do I want to spend my calories on a bunch of cookie crumbs or the whole cookie bar? Then I had an idea of how to put the crumbs to better use without any residual guilt… oatmeal cookie martinis. I have a thing for creating cookie cocktails, but this was one I had never attempted. It’s another dessert cocktail that is a perfect grown-up treat as we ease into fall.

Bailey’s + Butterscotch Schnapps = BLISS!

I think the best part has to be the martini glass rim, dipped into caramel and coated with oatmeal crumbs. So, even if you’re not up for making homemade oatmeal cookies for the rimmer, pick a few up at the bakery, it takes this cocktail to a whole other level.

                                                                                                                                                               Cheers to a guilt-free week. May it be full of bliss!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Oatmeal Cookie Martini (grinandbakeit.com)

1 1/2 oz. Bailey’s

1 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps

1/2 oz. Cream

Splash of Goldschlager

caramel sauce

oatmeal cookies, crushed

Rim a martini glass in caramel sauce and coat with oatmeal cookie pieces. Chill until ready to serve. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, pour enjoy.

Anyone in need of a little chocolate? This candy bar martini is the perfect way to combat stress. With the school year approaching, I’m starting to stress myself out. I think that’s why I’m craving chocolate on a daily basis. I am a big fan of dessert martinis. Fall and winter seem to be the times I use Bailey’s, Butterscotch Schnapps, and Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur the most. These ingredients combined taste just like a Butterfinger bar.

BevMo is one of my favorite places to shop (it’s way up there with Nordstroms). I happen to live within walking distance to a BevMo, which is both good and dangerous at the same time. I love trying new spirits on the market, but I’m also careful to not spend a bunch of money on something I’ll only use in one cocktail. To be worthy of space in my liquor cabinet, its got to have multiple uses. All three of these liqueurs have been granted permanent space.

I know it’s a little early, but I think this Butterfinger martini is going to be part of our annual Halloween martini tasting this year. Right before Halloween all of our friends and neighbors come over to celebrate. Kids carve pumpkins. Dads oversee kids carving pumpkins, and moms drink martinis. It’s no surprise, this is one of my favorite events of the year. This Butterfinger martini is definitely party-worthy, but trust me, you don’t want to wait for Halloween to try it.

Butterfinger Martini

1 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream

1 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps

1/2 oz.  Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1  1/2 oz.  milk

Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Butterfinger bar, chopped

Rim martini glass with chocolate syrup. Add Butterfinger pieces to coat rim. Chill. Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake, pour, enjoy!

My other favorite chocolate martinis:

Candy Bar-tini

Chocolate Milk-tini

Cadbury Caramel Cream Martini

Chocolate Covered Banana Martini

Hope you had a great weekend! I know, it’s been a LONG time since I posted a cocktail. My apologies to my martini-lovin’ friends. There was a time when martinis and cocktails were posted every Monday on this blog. In case you were wondering, I have not entered a twelve-step program. I still very much enjoy adult beverages, especially the sweet ones! If anything, I’ve been lazy and opening a bottle of Kendall Jackson always seems quicker than shaking up a martini. I think since summer is upon us, Martini Mondays should be reinstated. This Key Lime Martini is one of my favorite cocktails of all-time, and I can’t believe I’ve never shared it.

A few years ago, one of my girlfriends and I ordered this martini at Opah’s, one of our local Southern California restaurants. We then tried to replicate their version… and it’s pretty close.  It’s a great sweet and sour combination. KeKe Beach liqueur is the main ingredient and it tastes fabulous.  Strangely enough, it does taste like key lime pie in liquid form. BevMo carries this liqueur and I don’t think it’s too hard to find.  The KeKe Beach website has a bunch of interesting recipes using their liqueur. I think we’re going to need to experiement with a few.

Key Lime Pie Martini

1/4 cup KeKe Beach Key Lime Liqueur

5 tbsp. vanilla vodka

2 tbsp. pineapple juice

2 tbsp. heavy cream

lime wedge

graham cracker crumbs

Pour graham cracker crumbs on a shallow plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass and  roll the edge in graham cracker crumbs. Chill martini glass until ready to serve.

Pour key lime liqueur, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, pour, enjoy!!

I have a bit of an obsession with dessert inspired martinis. Here are a few of my other creations, all worth the calories!

Cake Batter Martini

Sugar Cookie Martini

Cookies and Cream Martini

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Carrot Cake Martini

What’s your favorite summer cocktail? I’m in need of some cocktail shakin’ inspiration! Have a fabulous week!!