Have a Happy National Cotton Candy Day with a Cotton Candy-tini!

I had a drink like this at a restaurant in Vegas a few years ago and thought it was the coolest thing! You can play around and mix different things for this drink, but the key is the cotton candy - that's the fun part!

Cotton Candy-tini
by Rachael

1 ounce X-rated Fusion Liqueur ("A sensuous fusion of ultra premium French vodka and Sicilian blood orange mingling with mango and passion fruits")
2 ounces Ivanabitch Whipped Cream Vodka
1 ounce cranberry juice
Small handful of cotton candy (flavor of your choice)

Have a Happy National Cotton Candy Day with a Cotton Candy Extravaganza!

I picked Cotton Candy Day because it sounded fun and challenging. At first, I was going to wow you with some extravagant cotton candy delights. Then after combing Pinterest, I realized it is just cotton candy, people! So, I decided to make it fun! Which is what cotton candy is all about!

You can find cotton candy in bags and buckets at stores and, if you are lucky, you can find the big poofs at a carnival. I didn't want to buy a cotton candy machine, so I started asking around if anyone had one. Turns out my teenage daughter's friend had one. So we decided to have a cotton candy party. I have two girls at home, and the girl with the cotton candy machine has two sisters, so we went for it!

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with Raspberry-Blackberry Swirl Meyer Lemon Angel Food Cake with Crème Fraîche!

I came across this recipe for raspberry angel cake a couple of years ago. I really like the combination of raspberries and blackberries, so I adapted the recipe to use both berries along with some Meyer lemon. I've also used tangerine juice and zest in place of the Meyer lemon. The raspberry and blackberry purees create the most beautiful bright pink and purple swirls throughout the cake. It's a must have for Memorial Day and Labor Day cookouts.

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with a Chocolate Raspberry Cake!

Chocolate Raspberry Cake
by Rachael

1 box Devil's food cake mix
1 pint raspberries
Semi-sweet chocolate bar (shaved or curled for garnish)

1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup cocoa

2 cups whipping cream

Have a Happy National Raspberry Cake Day with Chocolate Raspberry Upside-Down Cake!

This deep, rich cake has become my family’s favorite indulgence, not least because it comes out of the oven already frosted! It makes a 9-inch single layer cake that’s perfect for a small gathering (serves 6 to 8). You’ll want a rounded bottom (contour) cake pan for this cake – check your local baking supply store, or see this pan here. 

Have a Happy National Cheesecake Day with Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars!

Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
by Rachael
adapted from a recipe on Cookies & Cups blog 

1 (17.5 ounce) package sugar cookie mix
1 (4 serving size) box French Vanilla instant pudding
2 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 whole eggs + 3 egg yolks
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup toffee bits (optional)