Lemonade Stands

Yesterday was National Lemonade Day and really what is more indicative of summer than a child's lemonade stand? The makeshift table, hand scratched sign, chintzy pitcher and paper cups, not to mention the jar of change filled with the promise of popsicles and dime store toys - it all smells of summer.

For a BBQ one year I made pink lemonade cupcakes and they were a huge hit! But it got me thinking, what better compliment to a lemonade stand than a sweet treat you can wash down with an ice cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade?

These cupcakes used a traditional white cake recipe with frozen pink lemonade mix added in. Toss in a hint of red food coloring and they come out of the oven a warm rosy pink. For the frosting I decided on a light lemon buttercream also colored a pale pink to match.

To offset the sour I added some sugared lemon candies and a final touch of whimsy with a bendy straw! Just be sure you get some paying customers at your lemonade stand before you and the kiddos devour the tasty treats!

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Aww, Cupcake!

Yesterday was one of my favorite people's birthdays - Miss Megan, otherwise known affectionately as Cupcake :)  So in honor of her 26th birthday, here's a look back at the yummy treats from her 21st!

These cupcakes were the always classy Funfetti flavor with vanilla buttercream (sorry no rainbow chip frosting here!).  Neon food coloring was used to make the fabulous colors and of course a "21" candle was placed on top!

Cupcake blows out her cupcake candles!

Cheers to making it to 26 - a whole five years after your infamous 21-run!  And for those of you who were hoping of a rehashing of the epic evening, well cupcakes are as far as we're going. :)

Birthday girl keeps it classy at 26 after winning
fake mustaches at trivia
(Image credit goes to Megan)

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One Week to Go!

I can count on one hand the very best friends I've had throughout my life.  Depending on the time in life, the friendship may have begun over the swing set, the lunchroom table, freshman orientation, summer camp, first job, first roommate or completely by happenstance.  For the life of me I cannot remember how Danny and I met.  We lived a floor apart in the dorms at Seattle University, but he was a business major and I ran around the halls of arts and sciences.  Perhaps it's what I don't remember that is the most significant however.  I don't remember the time where we were getting to know each other, I just remember us always being the closest of friends.  And one week from today, I get to watch him marry the woman of his dreams.

I'm lucky to have Danny as one of my best friends, but perhaps even luckier to know Marisa.  She is a wonderful person inside and out and I couldn't be happier for the two of them!  

But before the happily ever after can start, every bride needs to be sent off into matrimony in style -- oh yes, the bachelorette party!  Now, I won't go into details except to say that we had fantastic time ;)  And as for the dessert?  Well the shots are censored (let's keep this a family show after all!) but let your imagination do the work... 

Pink champagne cupcakes gave the illusion that we were attempting to keep it classy.

The pale pink cupcakes were topped with a champagne buttercream frosting for a delicious finish.  The pink toppings were molded out of Wilton candy melts in vanilla.  My favorite part were the hot pink zebra print wrappers!  

The most important thing to remember when baking with champagne is to not use anything French or spendy!  Lower brand bubbly will often come in half size bottles which is better when you only need a cup or two for your recipe.

You could easily adapt these cupcakes into a less girly event by leaving the food coloring out of the batter or changing the color.  

We had a wonderful time feting the bride to be and she was absolutely glowing all night long.  Saturday, August 13th is the big day and I can't wait to see the happy couple!

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