Star Spangled Berry Cake

A couple days ago I still wasn't sure what I was going to take to the annual 4th of July party we attend each year. The sweet hostess, who had just arrived home after spending the school year on the opposite side of the country, asked me to just bring "one of your FABULOUS dessert items."   I somehow missed reading the "one," looked back at what we brought last year, and had a panic attack.  Yes, my archives stress me out sometimes and I occasionally think "How does she do it?"  I can't compete with THAT!!! ;)  

Thankfully my husband was able to pick up some berries at Costco on his way home from choir practice Wednesday night and after a quick google image search I had a plan.  The girls and I ended up only having enough time Thursday afternoon to make four (of the six) items I had chosen, but it ended up being a smaller party this year and was plenty.  This "Star Spangled Berry Cake" (inspired by this picture) was my favorite!  It was so easy to decorate and turned out beautifully! 

Ingredients:

• 2 - 9" Round Cakes (I used a Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Mix)
• White Frosting (I used Betty Crocker Fluffy White)
• Sliced Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Optional: Large Star Cookie Cutter  (I used the 6 1/2" Star Cookie Cutter from this set)

Directions:

Bake and cool cakes according to directions.  Trim the tops off of each cake.  Place one cake bottom side down on cake platter.  Spread 1/2 cup frosting over cake and layer with strawberries.  Place second cake, top side down, on top of the strawberries.  Spread a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes to seal in any crumbs.  Spread the remaining frosting over the cake.  Using a large star shape cookie cutter as a guide, arrange blueberries on the top of the cake in the shape of a star.  Fill in the rest of the top of the cake with raspberries.  Place blueberries in around the base of the cake. 

 

I took this last picture to post to Instagram/Facebook while I was balancing the cake on my lap during the 45 minute drive to the party,  but thankfully it arrived safely and was definitely a hit.  I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  I'll be back with a few more pictures from our celebration soon!

Celebrating the 4th of July {pictures from the party}

It was a lovely evening, filled with great friends, delicious food and desserts, a special prayer for our government before dinner, and fireworks.  I hope you all had a very happy 4th of July too! 

6 Patriotic Treats for the 4th of July

The last few years we have celebrated the 4th of July at our dear friends home! Winfield and Janet, along with their two great kids, are only here part of the year now (Winfield is a pilot and is based on the other side of the country) but we are so happy that they are back for the summer!  I usually bring desserts to the party, and this year I think we went a little overboard, despite my initial fail.  You think? ;)   Even so, everything was perfect, and we only came home with just half of the trifle!   

.: 4th of July Ice Cream Cones :.

Sugar cones dipped in melted white chocolate and rolled in sprinkles

Served with Vanilla White or Strawberry Red Ice Cream

(these were a hit with the kids AND adults!) 

.: Red, White and Blueberry Trifle :. 

White cake, blueberries, whip cream and strawberries

layered in a trifle bowl!  So pretty and easy! 

 

.: Red Licorice :.

(leftover) Red Licorice wrapped in bundles with these free Printable Napkin Rings
(inspiration found here)

.: Sparkler Pretzel Rods :.

Pretzel Rods dipped in melted white chocolate and decorated with sprinkles

.: Red, White, and Blue Berries :.

Strawberries (washed and dried completely) dipped in melted white chocolate and blue sprinkles

(I ran across this idea online, and it looks like Charlotte made them this year too, along with all their awesome t-shirts!  One of these years we need to try painting t-shirts.  I love how theirs turned out, especially the patriotic cupcake for that cute-as-can-be-god-daughter of ours!) 

.: United States Flag Cupcakes :.

White Cupcakes decorated with whipped cream, sliced strawberries and blueberries

(as an alternative to last year's flag cake) 

God bless America! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

It's been so busy around here lately, with swimming lessons all week.  I haven't had much any time for blogging,  but my husband took the day off (I had a doctor's appointment during swimming lessons) and it's just Bud and I at home right now!  It's so quiet and the perfect chance to hop online, even though there are about 50 other things I should be doing! ;)  I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!  I'll be back with some more pictures soon.  

{pretty}

I just love this picture of our little Bud that his Daddy took last weekend...  I need to start handing the camera over more often! 

And since I can't seem to post just one picture here are a few more of our cute little guy:  

Jun 29, 2012 ~ officially moved his arms forward to "crawl" (even if it was only once!) 

July 1st ~ hanging out in the schoolroom and watching mom "organize" and "rearrange" :) 

I have some more pictures from the 4th, but I'll save those for another post... On second thought, here is one of them!  :)

{happy}

The boys were very excited to get to try rock-climbing at the National Guards booth following the Parade this past Saturday morning.   Snuggles thought about giving it a shot, and even got in line, but quickly changed his mind and went back to playing with his new ball.  The girls... well, they were wearing skirts!  :)   Afterwards a couple of my brothers came over (one with his family and the other with his girlfriend) for a BBQ and board games...  It was a fun day! 

{funny}

Trying to get just one "good" picture of all seven kids on the 4th of July!  Hah! 

{real}

My 4th didn't start out very well... I drove all the way to Costco for groceries to find out that they were closed, Target was out of the sunscreen I had hoped to buy, and the cake I baked to decorate as a flag and take to our friends 4th of July party (I was to bring desserts) fell apart!!  I didn't give up.  Instead of piecing the cake back together or decorating it as the "purple mountains majesty" as my husband suggested, I decided to turn it into a trifle... and then made 5 other treats as well!   

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment

Red, White and Boom!

I hope you all had a fun filled Fourth of July weekend!  Our weekend was a blast, filled with a lots of great friends, delicious food, and ending with a fireworks show late last night.  

Chiquita decorated a cake to take to the BBQ we attended on the Fourth, which was hosted by some friends who just arrived back in town!  My boys are so excited to have their dear friend (who loves Strategy Games and "War" as much, if not more than they do!) back for the summer.    

      

We have company coming over tomorrow for some more Saintly Summer Fun and I need to go and finish getting ready... But, before I go, here is one of the highlights from the birthday BBQ we attended on Sunday for another friend.   The kids absolutely LOVED this little hands on off science lesson given by Rascal's Godfather: