4th of July Cupcakes

If you’re looking for a fun and festive idea for your 4th of July dessert, look no farther!

A couple months ago, I started seeing Galaxy Cupcakes with fun hidden surprises inside on my Pinterest feed. I just KNEW I could switch these up a little and turn them into something cute and patriotic.

I cheat a lot when it comes to cupcakes.

I use a boxed cake mix for the cupcakes themselves, then jazz them up with homemade icing. I’ll share my favorite recipe below.  Start by baking a batch of cupcakes. Once those have cooled, use a small circle cookie cutter to make a hole in the center of each cupcake.

Next, fill each hole with star sprinkles!

I found these silver Wilton star sprinkles at my local Michael’s store, but I’m sure you could find them on Amazon, or your favorite craft or baking store.

The last step is to cover the top of each cupcake with icing!

To make these patriotic, I made a double batch of Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting (below). I colored one batch blue and left the other batch white. When you fill the piping bag, try to keep the white icing on one side and the blue on the other. I piped my cupcakes with a large star tip. As you go, the blue and white naturally blend to make these pretty swirls on top.

That’s it! You now have a lovely batch of Star Surprise 4th of July Cupcakes to share!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th!

 

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Credit: joyofbaking.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 - 7-ounce jar of marshmallow fluff
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Directions

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract and marshmallow fluff.
2. With the mixer on a low speed, beat in the sugar. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. On a high speed, beat the frosting for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is light and fluffy. Add a little half and half or milk if it is too thick for piping.

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June Run Streak

I’m attempting something new this month — a run streak! I’ve always been very protective of my rest days, so a streak has never really appealed to me. The challenge I’m participating in now requires that you walk, jog, or run one mile per day, every day in the month of June. This time, something clicked, and I decided to give it a shot.

I finished Day 6 today. I’ve mixed some easy runs with longer, tougher runs, letting the short days be my “rest” days. It’s working so far. Although, I have had to break out the Biofreeze and Pro Compression socks a time or two.

I’m still feeling motivated. Only 24 more days to go! Have you ever attempted a run streak? What is your record?

Summer Bucket List

I don’t know about you, but I have a list of things that are quintessentially summer that just need to happen in order for my summer to feel complete. I like to roll with it, for the most part. But I do have a running list of things we need to accomplish in just two(ish) short months!

• Sleep late.
• Stay at the pool until our toes are wrinkly.
• See a baseball game.
• Eat ice cream for lunch.
• Catch fireflies.
• Ride with the windows down.
• Sleep in a tent.
• Spend a day at the zoo.
• Go on a road trip.
• Have a picnic.
• Chase down the ice cream truck.
• Make milkshakes.
• Watch fireworks.
• Roast marshmallows over an open fire – bonus if we makes s’mores with them!
• Have a water balloon fight.
• Take a turn on the slip ‘n’ slide.
• Grow something.
• Go to the fair.
• Eat a snow cone (or shave ice).
• Blow bubbles.
• Make sun tea.
• Fly a kite.
• Play mini golf.
• Eat from a food truck.
• Have a movie marathon on a rainy day.
• Make ice cream floats.
• Go on a bike ride.
• Listen to an outdoor concert.
• Visit an amusement park.
• Send a postcard.
• Shop at the Farmer’s Market.
• Host a BBQ.
• Paint something.
• Find a rainbow.

What have I forgotten? What are your must-do summer bucket list items?

It’s National Donut Day!

I haven’t announced this here yet, but I recently began writing as a contributor for the Omaha Moms Blog. I told literally no one that I’d applied, because I was sure I would never be chosen. It was such a wonderful surprise to receive the e-mail asking me to join the team!

I have a post up this week in honor of National Donut Day…which is today! I had a sweet model to help me get a great pic for the post, so stop by and check out my list of places to find a great donut in Omaha! Leave a comment if you’re feeling really generous. 😉