'GOOD HEALTH, GOOD LUCK, AND HAPPINESS' ~ IRISH WHISKEY SOAKED DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE / MURPHY'S IRISH COFFEE

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

(Irish Blessing)

SHAMROCK

( Oxalis regnellii)

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IRISH WHISKEY SOAKED DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE

(adapted from Dec. 3, 2008 New York Times)

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1 cup room temperature unsalted butter

(additional butter for greasing pan)

2 cups all purpose flour (additional for dusting pan)

5 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1/4 instant espresso powder

2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup Irish whiskey (other whiskey, bourbon or rye - additional for sprinkling)

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. baking soda

Confectioners' sugar for garnish

fresh mint sprigs

• Preheat oven to 325º. Grease and flour a 10 cup capacity Bundt pan or two 8-9 inch loaf pans. Melt chocolate in double boiler over simmering water or in microwave. Let cool.
• Add espresso and cocoa powders in large glass measuring cup. Add enough boiling water to come up to the 1 cup measuring line. Mix until powders dissolve. Add whiskey and salt; let cool.
• Beat 1 cup butter with electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at at time, beating well between each addition. Beat in vanilla, baking soda and melted chocolate, scraping down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula.
• On low speed, beat in a third of the whiskey mixture. When liquid is absorbed, beat in 1 cup flour. Repeat additions, ending with whiskey mixture. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake until cake tester inserted into center of cake comes our clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes for Bundt pan (loaf pans will take less time, start checking after 55 minutes.)
• Transfer cake to a rack. Unmold after 15 minutes and sprinkle warm cake with more whiskey. Let cool before serving. Garnish with confectioners' sugar and sprigs of mint. (10-12 servings)

MURPHY'S IRISH COFFEE
~ a healthy jigger of Brandy
(Brian's claim to smoothness instead of Irish whiskey)
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freshly brewed rich black coffee
1 healthy tsp. brown sugar
1 healthy jigger Brandy (or Irish whiskey)
fresh whipping cream

1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

freshly grated nutmeg, chocolate, or cinnamon

• In chilled bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar & vanilla. Continue whipping until medium-firm peaks forms.
• Warm Irish coffee glass in hot water. Wipe dry. Pour brandy (or Irish whiskey) & brown sugar into the glass and stir. Slowly pour fresh coffee filling the glass to within half an inch or so from top of glass. Carefully top with whipped cream. Garnish with grated fresh nutmeg, chocolate shavings or cinnamon.

Important Note: Toast loved ones while sipping through the rich cream.

(In Memory: Thanks Brian!)

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"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat."

~ Alex Levin