Fourth of July Firework Pushpops

I've had firework pushpops on the brain since last summer when I ran out of time to make them amidst the craziness of moving.  Unfortunately, a few months ago I saw this idea by Betty Crocker, so I had to accept the reality that I won't go down in history as the inventor of the firework push pop.

Rats.

There's probably billions in that.


However, while their pops are cute, they weren't exactly what I had imagined. Fireworks need pointy cones on top and streamers coming out the bottom!

I kept their color scheme and added some extras and I am happy with how they turned out.


Unrelated- My kids are going to think it's bizarre when they start school and realize all their friends don't have holiday-themed treats packed in their lunchboxes weeks before the actual holiday.

#bloggermomproblems#

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Double Birthday Cupcakes (Decorating technique)

Last week I made these cupcakes for my sister-in-law and dear friend Becky (and the BEST mom to twins everrr) for her birthday.

Sometimes recipes like this from Pinterest just keep nagging at me until I make them.

Also I won't ever say no to a reason to buy a whole bag of mini peanut butter cups.



These are super fast and easy and you can use any cupcakes or frosting you like.  Plus they're almost husband friendly.

(As in... there's only so many ways to screw up putting a peanut butter cup on top of a cupcake and adding sprinkles. So you can totally request these for your birthday.)

Did I mention you get to eat all the extra peanut butter cups?

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Palm Tree Sugar Cookies

Since I had some dough left over from from the dinosaur fossil sugar cookies, and since my mom left a box of malted milk balls in my fridge (darn you mom!), these seemed like a good way to greet summer. 

Also, hanging out at the park in 50 degree weather.

Nothing says summer like wearing a hoodie.

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Dinosaur Fossil Sugar Cookies (Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe)

Boys are weird.  I have lots of evidence to back this claim up but the most relevant is that they enjoy eating cookies with reptile footprints in them.

Weeeeeeeeiiiird.

This is a great basic sugar cookie recipe. The cookies don't spread much so they are perfect to use with cookie cutters and they taste great with or without frosting.

Dinosaur footprints are, of course, optional. 

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Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Key lime pie is kind of sacred in our house. We happen to be related to this famous author that used to drink a LOT and liked to jump around between women.  (Sorry...I don't really know how else to describe him.) He also used to spend winters in Key West drinking and writing.  We have been down there a few times and have taken pictures in front of  'Uncle Ernie's'  house and tried to steal some of the remaining 6-toed cats at his house.  (Since we're related and all I'm pretty sure they should just hand 'em over but apparently the island disagrees.) 

Anyways, Key West of course is famous for key lime pie.  So key lime pie is kind of like the symbolic family dessert.  (If I had been in charge of the Hemingway coat of arms it would, of course, have Key Lime pie in the middle.  Derr.)

Anyways, wanna know a secret? 

I actually kind of hate key lime pie.  

Key limes are bitter and WAY too tart and kinda gross.  (Don't tell anyone though because not liking the family dessert would obviously kicked out of the family.)

One thing I do like- these Key Lime pie cupcakes.  There's just enough tart filling to be yummy and powerful but it's surrounded by a sweet cake and a delicious graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream.  Everyone wins here.  These are REALLY delicious.

PS- Totally off topic, but Key West has this great place called the Key Lime Pie Factory.  They sell pieces of frozen key lime pie, dipped in chocolate, and served on a stick like a popsicle.  *swoon*.   Put it on your bucket list.

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Chocolate-dipped Dinosaur Rice Krispy Treat Pops

My 4 year old has been out of  "school" for 2 weeks now and so far he has:  asked for 10 million snacks, made a coral reef out of marshmallows and licorice, corrected his grandmother's grammar (further and farther are NOT the same word),  and eaten every single meal in his treehouse.

I'm thinking it's going to be a long summer.

I have some fun science/social studies "units" planned for him to keep us from rotting of boredom, so I'll have some themed foods coming all summer, but there will also be plenty of the usual.

This week we are starting a dinosaur unit.  If I had realized this would entail long conversations about carrion and how carnivores shred their meat I probably wouldn't have been so eager to start with this one.  At any rate we had a great time making these pops and I have some super cute dino-themed cookies to share with you later.

Happy Summer to all!

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Jungle Animal Chocolate-dipped Oreos

Have you seen these new jungle animal Mother's cookies?  I am in LOVE with them!  I squealed in delight when I saw them in the store.  Yes, I am apparently 13 years old.  I squeal when I'm excited.

It's so fun thinking of ways to bake with new products.  I decided to make some chocolate-dipped Oreos and top them with jungle animals. The weird thing is these were REALLY good.  I would make these again just for my husband and I-  no kids needed.

Oreo + Mother's cookie = something magical

I wish they would come out with a red, white, and blue version for Independence day.  How fun would those be?

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Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

These cupcakes have a yummy graham cracker crust, strawberry filling, and thick cream cheese frosting.  Nom Nom Nom... 

Next time I think I'll experiment with throwing some Sara Lee cheesecake bites into the cupcake batter before baking.  DOUBLE cheesecake!!

Hope you all have a lovely Memorial day tomorrow!

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Taffy Skewers

 

I've been meaning to post these for at least a year because I really love things on sticks and I really love things that are cute and easy. Kids go crazy for them and they make darling centerpieces for parties as well.

Pink and brown skewers are my favorite for girl baby showers and blue/white for boy showers.  If I can ever find some Fourth of July taffy, those will be happening soon!

I've gotta say it.  Be careful.  I may or may not have put a skewer sliver right through my finger while making these (as in... in one side... out the other... I almost fainted when I had to pull it out.  It wasn't the size of the entire skewer but it was about 1/3 as thick- which is pretty darn thick to be threaded through your finger, thank you very much!)  

If you have a taffy that's sticking, wrap a clean dishtowel around your hand and use that to jam the taffy down the stick, not your bare hands!  If you use fresh taffy this really shouldn't be a problem. They are usually pretty easy to thread.

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Triple Oreo Pudding Cookies

These gooey cookies have Oreo pudding, Oreo chunks, Hershey's white chocolate Cookies n'cream chunks, and semisweet chocolate chips mixed into the batter.  I am lucky enough to still have my mother close by, alive and well, but if I was visiting her this memorial day I would probably scatter a few of these on her grave.

(She has forbidden me to leave gaudy wreaths or tacky ribbons when she's dead- instead favoring funky lawn decor, chocolate, or things that would be fun for kids to steal.)

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