Cupcake Tower

I made another cupcake tower and I still just think it's SO cute and a great way to make the birthday girl or boy's special treat a little more fun, pretty and... special!

All it takes is a mini, regular and large cupcake. Frost and sprinkle each one, stack them and ta-da! Now you have an exciting cupcake tower to give to the birthday girl/boy.

Judging by the look on my face, I was a little nervous about the sparkler.

Happy Birthday Tiff!!!

Here's the one from Elisha's birthday.

I'm linking up this fun party idea to

Strawberry Surprise

I LOVE the 4th of July, it is my favorite holiday. I love the color scheme, the fact that the day has a theme, people wear the colors of the party (I have issues), there are no presents involved (well, except for my friend Tiff since it's her b-day), there is yummy food, time with friends, family and FIREWORKS! Seriously, what's not to love????

Well, our friends had a big party this year and me being the over-achiever (or an idiot for trying to do too much) decided to make 2 desserts. The 1st I called, 4th of July Strawberry Surprise Cupcakes (whew, that's a yummy mouth-full).

So here we go...

red, white and blue... i love you!

I used my favorite basic cupcake recipe called, The Best Birthday Cupcakes (recipe to follow... yes, I'm going to share it :) then I colored the batter blue (a turqousie really) and red.

I used a spoon to fill the liners (cheap white ones from the Dollar Tree, so you could see the color through them) with a little red, white and blue.

Baked! I wish I used a little more red on the top, oh well.

Patriotic cupcakes.

Then I cut the tops off and hallowed out strawberries,

Using a small knife I cut a small cone shape from the center of each cupcake,

and placed the strawberry inside.

I used Chrissy's recipe for The Best Cream Cheese Frosting, but used strawberry mush instead of vanilla and then topped with sprinkles.

The inside.

I have no pictures of all of them all done or at the party, but I feel this makes up for it AND is even better....

you're welcome ;) seriously, could she be any cuter???? I just love her!

The Best Birthday Cupcakes

The Cake Mix Doctor

1 pkg plain butter recipe golden cake mix

1 pkg (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese at room temp

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c water

1/2 c vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

so simple, so delish.

Happy Birthday Tiff... and America!

It was my dear friend Tiffany's birthday on the 4th of July and

we had a super fun party for her (and America ;).

I have been really bad about taking pictures with my real camera,

but I took a few shots with my iphone....

Pre-frosting cupcakes (gluten-free)

as an added bonus, Saralyn was in town from Jersey!

She was a wonderful help :)

here she is holding Tiff's birthday cupcake and wearing an apron just in case.

Erin (Tiff's husband) is sporting a very festive hat

while bbq-ing some delish dinner.

Tissue poms always add to the fun.

Ella and Sebastian on a wagon ride.

Emma and Zachary join in the fun.

The fabulous birthday sign. I simply purchase the stars from the dollar store and then printed out letters and glued them on. So easy and cute!

giant birthday cupcake

My favorite picture of the night! Sare, Tiff and I with our sparklers.

It was a wonderful 4th of July celebrated with friends, food, whiffle ball and fireworks!