Liquor Filled Sugar Shells Recipes

NEEDHAMS

Steps:

• Put the confectioners' sugar in a large heatproof bowl; make a deep well in the middle. Add the mashed potatoes, butter, vanilla and salt to the well. Place the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Starting in the center of the well, stir the ingredients, gradually incorporating the sugar, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture forms a smooth paste, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the coconut. Transfer to the freezer and chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Roll tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into balls, then flatten each ball into a small square using your fingers (you should have about 40 squares). Put the squares on a large plate or baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with foil, shiny-side up. Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate melts. Add the shortening and stir vigorously until glossy, about 2 minutes. Transfer half of the chocolate to a glass liquid measuring cup. One at a time, place each candy square on a fork and dip in the melted chocolate to coat; let the excess drip back into the cup. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining squares, refilling the cup with melted chocolate as needed. Let the candies harden at room temperature, about 1 hour. Photograph by Charles Masters

ANY LIQUOR PANTRY COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the liquor, sour and sweet and flavor enhancers if using and shake well. Strain and pour into a glass over ice. Add a fizzy topper if using. Garnish as desired.
• Whiskey + Pomegranate juice + Honey (no fizzy topper)
• Gin + Lime juice + Orange juice + Seltzer topper
• Vodka + Lemon juice + Maraschino cherry juice from the jar + Sliced strawberries + Prosecco topper + Maraschino cherry garnish
• Tequila + Lime juice and a splash of pickled jalapeno brine + Triple Sec + Lime and jalapeno garnish (no fizzy topper)
• Bourbon + Lemon juice + Maple syrup + Lemon wedge garnish (no fizzy topper)
• Rum + Unsweetened pomegranate juice + Simple syrup + Flavored seltzer topper + Fresh fruit garnish
• Rum + Lime juice and a splash of white wine vinegar + Simple syrup + Blackberries + Prosecco topper + Gummy candy garnish

KOURAMBIETHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat butter for 10 minutes with electric mixer until very light and creamy. Beat the egg yolks and vanilla in a separate bowl until lemon-colored, 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sugar and beat for 10 minutes. Add egg mixture to butter and add brandy and the flour, a little bit at a time, until dough is soft.
• Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into small crescents or balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until very lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheets. Sprinkle liberally with sifted confectioners' sugar while the cookies are still warm. Continue to cool to room temperature.
• Cook's Note: If the dough gets too warm and sticky while rolling the balls, re-chill it before continuing.