Margarita Cake

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients

1-1/2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons bottled nonalcoholic margarita mix

Cake Ingredients

1 box white cake mix 

1-1/4 cups bottled nonalcoholic margarita mix

2 tablespoons tequila (optional)

1/3 cup oil 

1 tablespoon grated lime peel (about 1 lime) 

3 egg whites 

1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed 

Additional lime slices and/or green decorating sugars, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13×9-inch pan with shortening and lightly.

In a medium bowl, mix pretzels, sugar, butter, and margarita mix. Spread evenly and press gently into bottom of pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat cake mix, margarita mix, tequila (if using), oil, 1 tablespoon lime peel and the egg whites with electric mixer for about 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pretzel mixture.

Bake cake for 33 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Frost with whipped topping; decorate with additional lime slices and or green sugars. Store covered in refrigerator.

Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles

Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles

6 oz pureed strawberry (about 10 strawberries)
2 oz peach syrup (recipe follows)
12 oz tonic water
2 oz plus 3 oz vodka (divided use)

Instructions:

1. Stir strawberry puree with 2 oz. of vodka. Place three teaspoons of strawberry mixture in the bottom of popsicle form; set aside.

2. Stir peach syrup with tonic water stir to combine. Add vodka and stir to combine.

3. Pour peach and vodka mixture over strawberry mixture and stir to combine.

4. Freeze for about 2 hours or until mixture starts to solidify enough to hold a popsicle stick upright. Insert popsicle sticks and finish freezing popsicles overnight. To release popsicles run hot water on the outside of popsicle molds for a 2-3 seconds.

Peach Syrup

(You will have more syrup than you need. Save for other cocktail uses)

½ cup sliced peaches (about 4 medium size peaches)
1 cup water
1 cups sugar

Instructions:

1. Wash, peel, and pit peaches. Place peaches in a blender or food processor and process until peaches are pureed.

2. Place water, sugar and peach puree in a pot and bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes.