Main Dishes

1. Sweet BBQ Chicken Kabobs
2. Mix & Match Burger Bar
3. Southwest Chicken Wraps

Salads and Sides

1. Deli Style Pasta Salad
2. Honey Lime Fruit Salad
3. Roasted Corn Salsa

Drinks and Treats

1. Frozen Blue Hawaiian
2. Rocket Pops
3. Firecracker Bites
4. Red, White & Blue Slushies

Desserts

1. Homemade Marshmallow Kabobs
2. Brownie n’ Berries Dessert Pizza
3. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
4. Trifle Dessert
5. Butterscotch Almond Bars
6. Patriotic Pie

Cupcakes

1. Red Velvet Cupcake Cones {Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter}
2. Uncle Sam and Fourth of July Cupcakes from 2010
3. Sparkler Cupcakes {Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter}
4. Tie Dye Cupcakes with Pinwheel Toppers
5. Firecracker Cupcakes
6. FREE Fourth of July Printables {Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter}

To sign up for the Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter, visit this page. I’m happy to send the printables or other newsletters if you missed any.

Gratitude Journal: I’m thankful for all the service men and women who serve to keep America free.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July Holiday!!

Welcome to Cupcake Tuesday! I’m so glad to have you! I have updated the Cupcake Heaven page, there are over 100 designs and recipes! Check it out!!

Today’s 4th of July Cupcakes couldn’t be easier! With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this batch of Firecracker Cupcakes and impress your family and friends!

Kraft is one of my favorite websites to find new recipes. Most of the time they are quick, easy and delicious…just like these Firecracker Cupcakes.

Tinted coconut is super easy. Divide coconut into bowls, add coloring and mix well with a fork.

The Cool Whip makes the cupcakes a light and refreshing treat, even on a hot day.

1. Frost cupcake with Cool Whip
2. Sprinkle on tinted coconut
3. Use a toothpick to make a hole for the licorice
4. Insert licorice
5. Or roll the edges in sprinkles if your family doesn’t care for coconut

Visit ThisMoment to see my shopping experience at our Hometown Supermarket

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. As always, the opinions and photos are my own.

Gratitude Journal: Today I’m very thankful for Doug’s help with these cupcakes. I have been sick and probably wouldn’t have been able to get them done without his help.

Now it’s your turn…show off your cupcake creations! Be sure to link back so others can enjoy the cupcakes and check out the other cupcakes

Welcome to Cupcake Tuesday! I’m so glad to have you! I have updated the Cupcake Heaven page, there are over 100 designs and recipes! Check it out!!

Fourth of July is such a fun holiday, especially for a foodie like me! Last year I shared lots of recipes for some fun desserts, no-bake treats, drinks and of course…lots of CUPCAKES! Be watching for more Fourth of July Recipes, coming soon.

Last Friday, I sent some fun Fourth of July Printable Cupcake Toppers in the Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter. A huge high five to The Paper Cupcake for designing them…she rocks! Check out her Etsy shop!

I also included my easy recipe for the Funfetti Cupcakes! Today I’m sharing these super fun, Tie Dye Cupcakes for the Fourth, complete with a cute little pinwheel for the topper.

Let’s start with the cupcakes…

I used Wilton No-Taste Red and Royal Blue Coloring. I think the gel paste coloring gives the best color.

Spoon the batter into the liners, it doesn’t have to be really precise. The cupcakes on the top row have already been swirled with a knife.

They turn out kind of camouflage looking. You could also use this same idea to match colors for a birthday party or other celebration.

Let’s decorate them now…

Frost cupcake with white Buttercream. I filled a decorator bag fitted with a Tip #12, then used a spatula to smooth it out.

For the Tie Dye, fit 2 decorator bags with a Tip #3 , and fill one with red Buttercream and the other with blue. Start in the middle and pipe a large dot, then pipe circles around the dot, repeating until you reach the edge of the white frosting.

With a toothpick, pull colored frosting out to the edge. For a different look, pull frosting to the center or even alternate them. The red cupcake at the top of the picture and the red and blue frosted one, both have wavy lines piped on before I used a toothpick to pull it out.

Let’s make the pinwheels now…

I made the Pinwheels the same way I did for the Pinwheel Garland, except I cut the scrapbook paper 2 inches square.  Then I wrapped a lollipop stick with colored twine and glued the pinwheel to the stick.

Gratitude Journal: I’m grateful today for the down time I’m enjoying while visiting family this past week.

Now it’s your turn…show off your cupcake creations! Be sure to link back so others can enjoy the cupcakes and check out the other cupcakes

Since I have a TON of new readers, and I’m making every effort to spend some family time this Summer, I decided to share with you a post from last year. And maybe update you on a couple things that are current.

So let’s rewind the clock {wouldn’t you love to be able to do that} and visit a popular post from last…

Gardening with Antiques

After my little wagon sat in pieces for a couple years, I decided to add some house numbers, plant some flowers in it, and give it new life!

Be sure to check your inbox for today’s Cupcake Chronicles Newsletter, there are some adorable 4th of July Printables from The Paper Cupcake!

Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE and I will happily send you the printables!

Gratitude Journal: Today I’m thankful for the opportunities that Nick has been given to play baseball. He works SUPER hard and deserves it!

I’m linking to...Made By You Monday

Welcome to Cupcake Tuesday!   If you are new here, grab a cup of tea or a glass of milk and enjoy a cupcake!

We are celebrating the Fourth of July all week long! If you missed it, I shared my Fourth of July Mantle and yesterday, I started the Food for the Fourth series with Main Dishes.

And, well, of course…I just had to share some fun Fourth of July Cupcakes.

I wasn’t able to make a video for you this week, sorry, hang in there with me though…the post is a little long.

Uncle Sam Cupcakes:

You will need…

• White or Yellow cupcakes
• White Buttercream Frosting
• Red & Blue Frosting
• Red & Blue M&M’s or other candy for face
• Flat bottom Ice Cream cones
• Fruit by the Foot, I used Berry Blast (blue)

1. Remove paper liner from cupcake and place upside down onto plate, frost with white frosting and put M&M’s on for face. It’s easier to put the M&M’s on when you first frost the cupcake, they stick better. 
2. Put Fruit leather around base of Ice Cream cone, and pipe on red stripes. I used a #3 Round tip. Place upside down onto cupcake.
3. Pipe on beard using a #35 Star tip
4. Add blue stars to the top and around the base of the cone (picture above)

Red, White and Blue Cupcakes:

You will need…

• White cake batter with Wilton Royal Blue Coloring added
• Red Velvet Cake batter
• Marshmallow Frosting (recipe below)
• Wilton candy melts, red, white and blue 
• Star candy mold
• Festive sprinkles

To make the cupcakes, I started with a White Cake mix (adding ingredients to make it taste like it’s from scratch) and added Royal Blue coloring. I also made a Red Velvet Cake mix.

• Place each of the cake batters in seperate Ziploc bags
• For the Side-by-Side cupcakes, simply pipe the batter next to each other
• For the Layered look, alternate batters
• For the Marbled look, pipe one color into liner, then pipe 3 large dots on top, swirl in with a knife

Marshmallow Fluff Frosting:

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 jar (7 1/2 oz) Marshmallow Fluff
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

In a medium bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add Marshmallow Fluff and vanilla and continue beating until well combined.

Candy Stars:

Melt Wilton candy melts (I’ve tried many different kinds and these are by far the best) Spoon melted candy into a plastic squeeze bottle (again, by far the easiest way) and squeeze melted candy into mold. Place in fridge for about 5 minutes until hard. Now, I have to admit…Nick, my 16 year old, made these stars…don’t you think he did an awesome job? In fact, his Stars turned out better than mine

Flag and Topper Cupcakes:

You will need…

• Blue candy (I used Sixlets, that I bought at Albanese Confectionery Store)
• Licorice
• Festive Sprinkles
• Free Printables from Tweedle Dee Designs (she linked up to the Blog Party Fourth of July Party)

So, what do you think? Which is your favorite?

Now, it’s time to share your creations! Please be sure to link back to this post so your readers can enjoy all the entries and visit one or all of the participants.

Great for breakfast or anytime during your day, a fun fruit parfait. I started with vanilla yogurt, strawberries and blueberries. Then I just layered them in a tall glass.

After seeing these fruit kabobs over at Frugal Girls, I just had to try them. I did change them just a bit. Being the chocolate lover that I am, I just had to add some chocolate. So, I dipped the marshmallows in chocolate.

The kabobs were super quick and easy.

And here’s a fun fruit salad

Just cut the watermelon and place it on a tray or plate to form a star, and fill the middle with your favorite fruit salad.

And finally, I couldn’t help but bake some more fun cupcakes. I made Poke Cupcakes with blue and red jello. You can find the directions and baking tips for all my cupcakes on the Cupcake Heaven page.

And I frosted them with Cool Whip, and decorated with a strawberry and blueberries.

I have had a great time this week, celebrating Fourth of July with you all! Here is an instant re-play if you missed it:

Brownies

Cupcakes

Firecrackers

Decorating

Fun Treats

 For more great blog carnivals, please visit:

~Frugal Fridays hosted by Life As Mom

~Recipe Swap hosted by The Grocery Cart Challenge

~Finer Things Friday hosted by The Finer Things in Life

~Friday Food hosted by Ann Kroeker

I started with a plain white cake mix.

Divided the batter into 3 bowls. I just estimated it, although I had more white left over than red or blue. I think next time I will measure it into cups.

I tinted the batter red and blue with food coloring.

I found these cute cupcake liners at Walmart, they are made by Wilton.

I used a large tablespoon and started with the blue batter, then added white and finally red. Again, next time, I think I will use a smaller spoon or put a smaller amount of batter in. I ended up overflowing them a little, but when they baked up, they looked okay.

Then I frosted them with White Buttercream Frosting

But, I couldn’t just leave them plain. I added blue M&M’s and licorice to form an American Flag.

And here is the how special batter turned out

How fun are these?

And I think the presentation with my flags turned out cute too!

Now I just need a big white platter for them. I’ll have to keep my eye open at Goodwill for one.

For more great blog carnivals, please visit:

~Ultimate Recipe Swap hosted by Life As Mom

~Works For Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family

~Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Blessed With Grace

~Tasty Tuesday hosted by Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

~Tuesdays at the Table hosted by All the Small Stuff