The Semi-Homemade Way

 

 

Hey y'all!  I've been on a little hiatus from my blog the past week or so preparing for the 4th of July!  I love everything about the 4th... the food, the fellowship, the fun!  I hope y'all had a great holiday, relaxed, enjoyed family and friends, and ate entirely too much!  I know I did!

The past few weeks I have been busy but not so much with projects.  Family and a few friends came over to celebrate the 4th, swim, and bbq so I spent a great part of last week just preparing for the weekend.  You know....cleaning house, yard work, grocery shopping, and food preparation (the not so fun stuff).

When I'm throwing a party or bbq, I always make a to-do-list and do as much as I can in advance.  And not everything I make is made from scratch.  Many times I go the semi-homemade way....or as my wonderful mother-in-law so dearly calls it "home baked".  So when putting together my menu for the weekend, I wanted some fun treats for the kids (even though the big kids like them too)!

I decided on cupcakes when Target had the Pillsbury Stars & Stripes funfetti cake mix and frosting on sale.  With the purchase of the cake mix, the frosting was free....  What a bargain for $1.50!  

 

 When using boxed cake mix, I jazz it up to make it taste as close to homemade as possible.  By making a few substitutions, it produces a richer, moister, and denser cake.  Here are a few suggestions/substitutions:

1.  Add one (or 2) more eggs than the directions call for. 
2.  Add 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick) instead of the vegetable oil. 
3.  Replace the water with whole milk.  
4.  Add a tsp of vanilla extract (or any other flavor).

  Adjusting the ingredients also means adjusting the directions.  First, cream the butter until it's light and fluffy before beating in the eggs.   Add the other ingredients and mix on medium high speed for about 2 minutes .   Bake them  according to the package directions but keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking just to make sure they don't over bake. 

 

 

 

 

 Something else I typically always do is bake my cupcakes in a white cupcake liner.  I find that when I use the pretty decorative ones that the design really doesn't show up once they are baked.  I add my pretty liners after they are frosted and ready to be served!

 

 

For a fluffier, bakery like frosting, I  added 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1 tsp of butter flavored extract to the canned stuff and whipped it for 3-4 minutes.  You can also add in 4 oz of cream cheese ( just be sure to beat the cream cheese until it's light and fluffy before adding in the frosting).

Beating the icing on medium speed for 3-4 minutes makes the frosting fluffier and easier to spread, regardless of whether you're adding anything to it.

I wanted these to be extra special so I piped the frosting on the cupcakes using a pastry bag and star tip.  And of course I sprinkled them with the red, white, and blue sprinkles that came with the frosting.  I also added some cute 4th themed cupcake decorations.

 

 

 

I must say they were pretty YUMMY !  (I definitely ate my share!)  I packaged several for the kiddos to take home using clear punch size plastic cups, cellophane treat bags, and pretty ribbon. 

 

 

So consider taking a little help from the store and don't be afraid of that boxed cake mix and canned frosting..... With a few substitutions, you can make it taste great the semi-homemade way!

 

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