EASY 4TH OF JULY DIY: 5 MINUTE CAKE TOPPERS

Last week on the blog I posted one of the coolest baked goods I've made in a while- a Tie-Dye 4th of July Cake. I topped it with some homemade "sparklers" which were just made of toothpicks, christmas tree garland, and double sided tape!

I came up with a few other cake topper ideas for the 4th- all of which took about 5 minutes total to make- so no excuses about not having any time to add that extra touch to your 4th of July dessert! These could easily be added to cupcakes or brownies as well :)

So here's the cake (recipe here):

And here are the cool 4th of July cake topper ideas:

THE SPARKLERS:

What you need:

Silver or gold christmas tree garland // double sided tape // toothpicks

How to do it:

Cut 2-3" long pieces of garland and wrap it around a toothpick that has double sided tape on the end. Pinch until adhered, and add to cake!

THE WATERCOLORS:

What you need:

Cardstock paper // toothpicks // tape // sharpie marker

How to do it:

Watercolor red and blue stripes with some white in the middle on your cardstock. Let dry. Write a 4th of July message on it, and adhere to toothpicks!

THE STARS + SPARKLERS:

What you need:

Silver or gold christmas tree garland // double sided tape // toothpicks // colored paper

How to do it:

Take steps from "The Sparklers" to make the first part. Cut out stars on colored/pattern paper and tape to tooth picks. Mix & match on the cake!

THE WASHI TAPE FLAGS:

What you need:

Toothpicks/ Red/Blue Washi Tape/ String/Twine

How to do it:

Cut pieces of washi tape and fold in half over string/twine. Cut into flag shapes, alternating red and blue. Tie or tape string to two toothpicks, and set apart on cake.

Easy, right?

What will YOU be making for the 4th of July?

xo, lp

4TH OF JULY TIE-DYE CAKE

BAH! Thanks for all the love from Pinterest you guys! Follow along for more colorful ideas HERE!

xo, lp

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Today's recipe ROCKS. I'm not gonna lie, it takes a little bit of time to make - but it's super easy, and the reaction you'll get from your friends or family is worth EVERY minute of time you put in!

If you've been following this blog long enough, you know I LOVE a good ol' holiday.

Making some baked treats or cocktails with a theme is right up my alley, I don't care how lame that is!

In years past for the 4th of July I've focused on cocktails (like these mixed berry mojitos)...but this year I decided a cool cake would be just the ticket.

4th of July is just a couple weeks away, so be sure to pin this idea now to Pinterest or share the link to this post on Facebook (I'll love ya extra if you do!).

So you want to know how to make it happen? Here ya go:

What you'll need to make it happen:
- Red & Blue food coloring
- 2 containers of white frosting (you could totally make homemade buttercream, I just didn't!)
- White cake mix (or make your own, like I did using Martha's recipe)
- A whole bunch of bowls!
- Two 8" round cake pans

How to make it happen (full picture instruction at the bottom of the post):
Step 1: Preheat your oven and grease your cake pans well.
Step 2: Mix up your cake batter and separate evenly into 3 bowls, coloring 1 blue, 1 red, and leaving 1 white.
Step 3: Using either a melon baller, large spoon, or 1/4 cup measuring cup (no shame in any of those!) pour in about 1/4 cup of white cake batter in the center of the pan.
Step 4: Repeat the same step with your blue batter,pouring directly in the center of your white batter.
Step 5: Yup, you guessed it, repeat this exact same thing with the red batter! Keep doing this for each of the cake pans until you're out of batter and your pans look like 3 color bullseyes.

Step 6: Bake your cake per the direction in the recipe or on the box and let cool completely.
Step 7: If needed, cut the rounded edge of the top of the cake off so they stack well. Apply a thick layer of frosting on the first layer and add the top layer.
Step 8: Apply a "crumb coat" - frost the entire cake with white frosting to seal in all those pesky crumbs.
Step 9: Split your second can of frosting  into 3 bowls and dye 1 red, 1 blue. Rough frost red at the bottom of the cake, blue in the middle, and white at the top edge and full top of the cake.
Step 10: Using a flat spatula, smooth and slightly blend the frosting out on the side until the cake is fully smooth.
Step 11: Top with some decorations, cut, and enjoy!!

Can we talk about the WOW factor when you cut into this cake? 

What 4th of July food or drinks will you be making?

Bonus points if you'll be making this!

xo, lp

Looking for a no-bake 4th of July dessert idea? Try this awesome marbleized bark HERE! 

psssst: for more colorful stuff, go here

If you're more of a picture person, here's the full tutorial in one image! Pin away or share to your hearts content, m'love!

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE 4 WAYS! (Non-Alcoholic OR Alcoholic!)

Oh my friends. Finally a recipe to please everyone.

Today is all about Frozen Hot Chocolate! So who should you make it for?

Make it for your kids! It's a fun winter treat that they can dress up with sprinkles and marshmallows.

Make it for your significant other! It's super easy to make, but it'll show 'em you care.

Make it for your girlfriends! Why not host a party with a Frozen Hot Chocolate Bar? Just add booze if you're over 21, and you've got a dangerously delicious party in the making.

Make it for yourself! Because you deserve it :)

What you need to make it happen(NON Alcoholic):

- Ice

-Milk

- Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

- Chocolate Syrup

- Whipped Cream

- Straws

- Sprinkles, Marshmallows, Chocolate Chips, Candy Canes

- Grenadine & Cherries

Boozy Additions to make them a little more fun:

Cherry Vodka // Creme de Cacao // Peppermint Schnapps 

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Start with your base- Blend 1 packet of cocoa mix, 2 cups ice, 1/2 cup milk, squeeze of chocolate sauce  *mixture should be icy- not watery- start with less milk and add more as needed.

Step 2: Start adding in different flavors or alcohol as desired (recipes below)

Step 3: Top with whipped cream and garnishes

Step 4: Enjoy!

To make the 4 you see above:

Classic: BASE - top Whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate jimmies

Chocolate Peppermint: BASE + crushed candy cane- top with whipped cream and more crushed candy cane. (optional 1 ounce peppermint schnapps)

Chocolate Lovers: BASE + mug drizzled with chocolate sauce- top with whipped cream, chocolate chips, chocolate jimmies (optional 1 ounce creme de cacao)

Chocolate Covered Cherry: BASE + 1 1/2 tsp grenadine - top with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate jimmies & a cherry (optional 1/2 ounce cherry vodka + 1/2 ounce creme de cacao)

Other great options:

Mocha: Just add Kahlua, Espresso Vodka, and Chocolate Shavings

Salted Caramel Chocolate: Drizzle Salted Caramel sauce in the mug first, top with more sauce & Chocolate Shavings

Chocolate Covered Strawberry: Strawberry Vodka + Creme de Cacao- top with chopped strawberries!

Alright- raise your hand if you're going to do a Frozen Hot Chocolate Bar for Galentine's Day now...

(if you don't know what Galentine's Day is...we can't be friends. kidding! (sort of))

xo, lp

PSST: If you end up making this recipe I'd love to see it! Post a picture on Instagram or Twitter and tag me @lpodlich so I can see what awesome version you made!

VALENTINE'S DAY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES!

Ooooh friends- do I have a great treat for you today! 

Feast your eyes on THESE babies:

These ice cream sandwiches are the perfect Valentine's treat- whether you're making them for you favorite girlfriends, you significant other, or even your kids! 

They're made with some homemade M&M cookies, ice cream, and LOTS of sprinkles....

What you'll need to make it happen:

-Valentine's Sprinkles (I got mine from Target)

- Ice cream 

- M&M Cookies (recipe makes 2 dozen cookies - 1 dozen sandwiches):

1 1/8 cup flour  ::   1/2 tsp salt :: 1/2 tsp baking soda :: 1 cup Valentine's M&Ms

1/2 cup brown sugar ::  1/4 cup granulated sugar :: 1 large egg :: 1 stick unsalted butter  :: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Bake your cookies! (Cream sugars & butter until mixed. Add egg and vanilla & mix. Add flour, salt, baking soda & mix. Stir in M&Ms. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees)

Step 2: LET YOUR COOKIES COOL COMPLETELY. No really. If you don't wait, your ice cream will melt errywhere- and NO one wants that, right?

Step 3: Take 1 cookie- scoop about 1/3 cup ice cream on it, and press down with another cookie

Step 4: Roll in sprinkles, and put back in freezer right away.

Step 5: Bring out again right before you're ready to serve!

Oh man these things are good! Plus, if you don't need 1 dozen sandwiches- then just eat the cookies on their own :)

Looking for other Valentine's Recipes?

Try making my Conversation Heart Cookies or Raspberry Cream Cheese Heart Pies!

xo, lp

psssssssssst: let's be friends on Instagram! you can find me here --> @lpodlich

TAKE A BITE: SUMMER GUMMI BEAR MINI CUPCAKES

Labor Day has come and gone, but I'm just going to hold onto summer for fewww weeks longer.

These cupcakes scream SUMMER...er...END OF SUMMER!

So- if you're having a "I'm not ready for fall to come yet" party, be sure to make these sweet gummi cupcakes!

Just your average gummi bears chillin' in gummi tubes.

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Gummi Bears

- Lifesaver Gummies

-  White Cupcake Mix OR Recipe

- Vanilla Frosting

- Blue Food Coloring

How to Make it Happen:

Step 1: Bake your cupcakes!

Step 2: Color your frosting blue & frost your cupcakes when cooled - using a frosting knife to pull up on the frosting, making waves.

Step 3: Squeeze a gummy bear into a gummi lifesaver and voila! You have the cutest little mini cupcakes ever.  

Not a bad end of summer treat, right?

I brought these in to work (as I do with all sweet treats) and they were a big hit!

How are you celebrating the end of summer?

If you make these, be sure to Instagram them and tag me (@lpodlich) so I can see your awesome handywork!

xo, lp

for more sweet treats- click HERE!

BEST BITES: SUMMER STRAWBERRY GALETTE

It's still summertime, which means I'm going to milk every single second of it!

I actually made this galette a little while ago when we went strawberry picking, but completely forgot to post it!

It's simple, delicious, and pretty lovely too!

What you'll need to make it happen:

-1 pre-made pie dough

- 3 cups cut strawberries 

- 3 tablespoons sugar

- 1 tablespoon lemon zest

- pinch of salt

- 2 teaspoons flour

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2: Mix strawberries with sugar, zest, salt, and flour in a bowl and drain out excess liquid.

Step 3: Roll out dough and begin to layer out strawberries in circles, forming heap in the middle (yes, heap 'em up! they'll bake down, I promise!)

Step 4: Fold over dough (like pictures below) and bake in oven for 22-24 minutes. Bake until golden brown & enjoy!

There it is, friends.

Super sweet- with a tart lemony bite! I'm a fan of it on its own- but if you love vanilla ice cream, i'm sure that would be fabulous with this!

What is your favorite summer dessert?

Anything with strawberries is good in my book!

xo, lp

*for more delicious recipes, go HERE!

* for instagram fun, go HERE!

BEST BITES: HEATH BAR ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Oh friends, you're going to thank me for this recipe post.

Heath.

Bar.

Ice Cream Sandwiches.

These are a little labor intensive, and a little messy, but they are gooo-ooood.

Here's what you'll need to make it happen (makes 12 sandwiches):

for the sandwiches:

-Chocolate or vanilla ice cream

- Crushed heath bars

for the cookies:

1 cup flour   //  1/2 teaspoon salt  //  1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup granulated sugar  //  1/3 cup brown sugar  //  1 stick butter  

 1 large egg // 2 teaspoons vanilla  // 1 cup chopped heath

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Bake your cookies & let them cool! (mix butter/sugars - combine with egg/vanilla - stir in flour/salt/baking soda - add in heath - bake at 350 for 10 minutes)

Step 2: Get your ice cream out of the freezer and let thaw for 5 minutes. While it's thawing, get a plate of crushed Heath ready!

Step 3: Add a large scoop of softened ice cream to one cookie and place another on top, GENTLY pressing down until the ice cream starts to come out of the sides!

Step 4: Smooth the ice cream out around the edges with a knife or spoon until flush with the cookies.

Step 5: Roll in crushed Heath, and get them back to the freezer right away!

Step 6: Wait 45 min- 1 hour to harden completely, and enjoy!

**TIPS**

1. REALLY let your cookies cool completely. Don't be impatient. Your ice cream will melt alllll over if they are even slightly warm!

2. Do these 1 at a time and put each one in the freezer right away- otherwise you'll have a melty sandwich mess on your hands!

3. For the love of all that is good- remember to put your ice cream away when you're done.

No, really.

I finished making my sandwiches and got a call on my phone upstairs so I ran to answer it- and got completely off track..legit forgetting my open ice cream...melting allll over. Hey, just keepin' it real over here!

And here they are, in their finished product glory.

Creamy, crunchy, sweet, buttery.

Ahhhh.

So delicious!

 So now that you know my favorite ice cream treat- I have to know, what's yours?

Bonus points if it involves Heath :)

xo, lp

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For more sweet, treats, and other recipes, go HERE!

And, if you're an Instagram lover like I am, you can find me HERE!

5 INGREDIENT, 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE.

Yup.

5 minutes. 5 ingredients.

I have your new last minute go-to treat recipe, and it's going to make you oh-so-very-happy.

What you need to make it happen (easy to double the recipe too!):- 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

How to make it happen:
Step 1: Combine your salt, sweetened milk, chocolate chips, and salt in a microwave safe glass bowl/vessel.
Step 2: Microwave on med-high heat for two 30 second intervals, and again as needed until chocolate chips are melted. After each 30 second interval, STIR. The milk will get hot and melt the chips as you stir it- so don't overheat the chips or they'll sieze up!
Step 3: Spread out on parchment paper on a baking dish until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Yes, I know fudge is normally these HUGE thick bricks, but this makes it so much easier for people to enjoy- it's really rich!
Step 4: While the fudge quickly cools in the fridge- microwave your PB until liquid.
Step 5: Drizzle your melted PB over the fudge, and set in the fridge to cool.
Step 6: Cut into squares, and prepare yourself to be the most popular person in your office/friend group!
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Really-just microwave it all together! Doesn't look pretty, but it sure is good!

Use a silicon spatula & you won't have any issues with the fudge sticking to it!

The final product! 

 I can't stress enough how easy this recipe is! It's sure to satisfy any chocolate-peanut butter lover's sweet tooth.

What's your favorite chocolate/peanut butter dessert?

If you're looking to add some more recipes to your repertoire, try my PB Oreo pops or Reese's Cupcakes!

xo, lp

REESE'S + NUTELLA CAKE (yeah, that's right!)

I know you're thinking, "ummm Reese's + Nutella? isn't that a little over-indulgent?"

Well your answer is yes, it is. But don't deny it- you're intrigued! 

I made this cake for our friend Josh's birthday last month, and it was a hit! Truthfully, I wasn't quite sure what to make him for dessert, until his wife Dani said "well, he likes Reese's and Nutella." I figured, why not combine the two??

What you'll need to make it happen:

Cake:

-Either Devil's Food Cake Mix or this recipe (yes, i cheated and used a mix. oops)

Frosting:

- 14 Reese's peanut butter cups (10 cut in half, the rest chopped up)

- 1/2 cup Nutella

- 4 ounces cream cheese

- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

- 2 cups powdered sugar

- 4 ounces sugar

(or, Nutella + tub of cream cheese frosting!)

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Bake yo' cake in two 8 inch round cake pans.

Step 2: Let cool FULLY. No for real. Keep your hands off!

Step 3: Beat your cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in Nutella.

Step 4: Set your first round down and put a layer of frosting down, and sprinkle chopped Reese's over it.

Step 5: Add your next layer of cake, and frost cake completely.

Step 6: Use your Reese's halves to place around the top and sides of the cake, covering the rest of the top of the cake with the crumbled pieces!

Step 7: Keep in fridge until ready to serve, and enjoy with a big glass of milk :)

nom.

There you have it. Nutella + Reese's Cake. It's as good as it looks, I promise.

You guys have any fun cake recipes up your sleeve?

Share a link in the comments, I'd love to see them! 

xo, lp

**love reese's? try my reese's cupcakes

**love nutella? try my nutella puppy chow or nutella krispy bars!

SIX FANTASTIC FOURTH CUPCAKES (easy designs that take minutes!)

Let's talk straight for a sec:

I love baking from scratch and all, but sometimes it's a pain in the ass. When you just want something last second it can be a bummer when you don't have all the ingredients at hand. So, at times like this, I bake from a box. AH! GASP! BLASPHEMY! The girl that bakes uses box mixes sometimes?!? 

I know, your vision of my is shattered. Sorry. To help you cope, go eat a box of cupcakes. 

These are 6 super fast, fun 4th of July cupcake decorating ideas. All you need is a box of cupcake mix, some frosting, and the topping of your choice. Have fun!

Don't they look great together? Some fun, some whimsical, some classy. Make a bunch of each to please any crowd!

 Cupcake #1: Swirly Cupcake

This one is super easy, take some white frosting and dye some blue and some red. Swirl plain white along with the two colored frostings and BAM. Pretty swirls.

Cupcake #2: Washi Flag Cupcakes

All you need for this one is a few toothpicks and some washi tape. Just fold over, cut into triangles and you're good to go!

Cupcake #3 The Easiest Candy Cupcake

There are plenty of red & blue candies out there to fulfill this cupcake task. My current favorite is the 4th of July Twizzlers that you can buy at Walgreens. Lemonade/BlueRaspberry flavored. Nom.

Cupcake #4: Layered Swirl Cupcake

This one is the only cupcake that requires a little effort. Open a ziplock and hold it up by one corner. Drip red food coloring down one edge of the bag, and blue down the other- so they come together to a point. Cut the tip off the bag to let excess run out, and then load with white frosting. Squeeze to create ad swirled look!

Cupcake #5: Fruity 4th Cupcake

Just slice up some strawberries (or raspberries or cherries) and add some blueberries. Done!

Cupcake #6: Sprinkle Cupcake

If you don't have blue and red sprinkles, either use M&Ms or color white sugar with food coloring! 

Perfect!

Which one of these decorations would you try?

Let me know!

xo, lp

Looking for more 4th of July fun? Try my Patriotic Frozen Punch or 4 Washi Tape decorations for the 4th.

(award winning) SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

No, I'm not lying, they really are award winning!

I mean, sure, it's not some fancy culinary award, but still. I work at a super great place- and for it's 50th anniversary as a company they held a version of Cupcake Wars. I entered this recipe and won one of the three awards. Boom. 

These cupcakes are insanely rich and sweet- with just the perfect amount of salt. The sour cream makes them extra-dense, and the salted caramel filling keeps them from drying out. Gahh. So good.

What you'll need to make it happen:

Cupcake:

This recipe is one I've made a ton of times, and it's a version of Martha Stewart's basic chocolate cupcakes (click for recipe). The only things I change is add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract & a little extra sour cream!

Salted Caramel Sauce:

Oh, you missed the recipe? I just shared it on the blog recently!

You can find the recipe HERE

Caramel Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup salted caramel sauce

1. Cube room temperature butter and beat in mixer for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.

2. Add in your sugar, mixing lightly to keep contained. Once well mixed, add in caramel sauce and beat for another 4 minutes or so until light and fluffy!

3. Refrigerate your frosting until you're ready to use it. Just leave out to get to room temp and you'll be good to go!

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Tips for the cupcakes, now that you have the recipes:

1. Unless you have a fancy frosting set, all you need is a glass, a ziplock bag, and a scissors! Insert the bag into your glass, folding the edges over & filling the bag. 

2. An easy way to hollow out the center of cupcakes for filling is to take a sharp paring knife, and cut out a square in the center of the cake. Fill with caramel sauce and top with frosting!

3. This caramel sauce is too good just to fill the cupcakes with, drizzle it on top too, and cover with sprinkles!

 The finished product:

 And of course, the best part of the cupcake is when you cut it open and all the salted caramel ooooozes out:

So what are you waiting for? I mean, they're award winning people! Get to it!

What cupcake would be your award winner?

Share away so I can try them for myself!

xo, lp

Love cupcakes? Try out my chocolate peanut butter cupcakes or my rainbow cupcakes!

For instagram fabulousness, go here!