Happy July 4th!

The July 4th dessert spread has gotten a little star, spangled, and boring if you ask me. I have seen so many strawberry and blueberry trifles, shortcakes, and cupcakes, I feel like skipping the summertime dessert table and going right back into the swimming pool. Okay, that isn’t very kind to say, I understand, however I think it is time to put a little bit of sparkle back onto the July 4th dessert menu.

Introducing, Pop Rocks Cupcakes! Just in time for your big Independence Day celebration, this easy breezy dessert combines a simple cupcake from a box with a surprising fizz and pop inside. Covered with homemade buttercream and topped with sparklers, there is no more festive dessert for your party on the Fourth.

While I don’t love the idea of using anything from a box, this dessert falls into the “realistic recipes” section for my readers. I know how busy it is this time of year with packing, traveling, dishing up snacks constantly, and slathering sunscreen five times a day over each of your children, so this recipe boldly cuts a corner by using a strawberry boxed cake. However, if you are looking for a homemade cake recipe, check out some of my scratch cake recipes HERE. You will also find my homemade buttercream recipe, below.

I hope you guys love how easy these cupcakes are to make, along with the flavor and fun this dessert brings to your July 4th get-together.

Happy Fourth,

Emily M.

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Happy summer, everyone!

Last week my daughter asked if we were baking anything for July 4th.  Instantly, I had visions of our laundry pile, the loads of suitcases that needed to be packed for our family beach trip, and the slime that someone smeared inside the back window of my minivan.  How do you get that stuff off, and when is this slime fad going to be OVER with, by the way?!!

I thought about responding to my daughter’s baking query with a simple, “no way in hell,” but I suppose the sweet spirit of Jesus came over me and instead I made her a deal.  I said, “If you draw a picture of what you want to bake for July 4th, we will give it a shot.  The only catch is that everything has to come from a mix, a box or a can because mommy is busy, and there is slime to be dealt with.”

My daughter agreed, and quickly began whipping up her July 4th baking concept.  Here is the drawing:

A few days later I had literally 4 minutes to run into the grocery store for ingredients, in order to make it to my girls’ gymnastics camp pick-up on time.  I bought two boxes of Betty Crocker Red Velvet Cake Mix, two cans of cream cheese frosting, a fresh pack of eggs and a bottle of vegetable oil.  

With those simple ingredients and a little time together in the kitchen, my kids and I turned my daughter’s sketch into this super-easy, fun and festive July 4th cake.  Voila, y’all!

If you have a little down time this week and are looking for a stress free recipe, you will love this no-nonsense red velvet cake.  Give it a shot and send us pictures!

Now, back to the packing and slime drama.

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Maybe it’s just me, but I find it pretty difficult to explain the significance of national independence to a child. Be that as it may, I think it is important for kids, (and adults for that matter) to have an appreciation for what it fundamentally means to be independent as a nation, and free as a people. Creating an independent nation built on democratic principles took big dreams and unbridled courage. Moreover, to ultimatley have the freedom to be who we want to be as individuals, is an absolute privilege. Whether we are blue, red, left, right or purple, being free totally rocks; So be brave, be bold, and cue the fireworks because we have to CELEBRATE!! Okay, I’ll hop off the soap box, now. Whew. You’re welcome.

So in preparation of Independence Day, I decided to whip up a silly little project to teach kids about the value of independence. And if like me, you will be surrounded by loads of kiddos during the Fourth of July holiday, this may be a really fun (and super yummy) activity for your family as well.

Here’s the scoop…

I baked 24 homemade Angel Food cupcakes. You will love this recipe because it is quick and ridiculously delicious. Next, I put piping bags of whipped frosting, cups of sprinkles, and bowls of blueberries and strawberries on the counter. Then, I asked my 9 year old nephew, 9 year old daughter and 6 year old daughter to come “help” me in the kitchen. Needless to say, the kids were so excited to see all of these toppings and started thinking up ideas about how they could create cupcakes of their own. Finally, (this is so mean) I told the kids that despite their ideas and abilities, they needed to make their cupcakes exactly like the ones I had decorated…..

Bubbles = burst.

After a few minutes of unbearable whining, I told the kids that they were free to decorate however they wanted! Once given the independence to execute their own ideas, they were totally thrilled. The kid’s cupcakes were as bold and bright as the stars and stripes, and so much better than the one’s I had prepared on my own. In the end, we made great memories, amazing cupcakes, and the kids had a newfound appreciation for life, liberty and the pursuit of silliness.

Happy Fourth, y’all!

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