4th of July Recipes: Link Love

Fireworks on the National Mall, 2012

I know, I have been gone for way too long.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks with business trips, getting stranded by United Airlines at LaGuardia airport, and finding an apartment in Chicago!! The good news is that we have officially signed a lease at our new place and in just over a month we can finally start to settle into our new digs.

I'm feeling a little sad because I can't be home at my parent's lake house for the 4th of July this year.  It's the best place to be on the 4th between the firework show put on by the neighbors, the delicious food my mom makes, and all the fun activities we can do in the lake.  I wanted to share some recipes that I'd be making if I was going home for our family's big 4th of July bash.

American Flag Cake
Stout & Sriracha Beer Barbecue Sauce from the Beeroness (I'd be begging Dad to douse some ribs in this!)
Red White and Blue Poke Cake from Tracey's Culinary Adventures
Red, White, and Blue Whoopie Pies from Baking Bites (whoopie pies are a New England staple!)
Red, White, and Blue Funfetti Sandwich Cookies from Two Peas and Their Pod
Fourth of July Funfetti Cupcakes with Triple Swirl Frosting from Sugarcrafter
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad from joy the baker (watermelon just screams summer to me)
Red Velvet Marshmallows from Tracey's Culinary Adventures (to make the perfect s'mores! Mom's favorite!)

What are you doing for the 4th?  I guess we'll be enjoying our last 4th of July in the Nation's Capitol! We'll have to go all out!

American Flag Cake

I apologize here for a few reasons.  For one, I made this cake before either of the shower recipes.  But everyone had been asking for the recipes from the shower, so I had to get those up first.

I also have to apologize, because this recipe is about as Sandra Lee as I get.  The Monkey Scientist will tell you (if you haven't realized already) that I really like to make EVERYTHING from scratch.  But I got the idea to make this mere hours before I had to be at a BBQ, so I did go the boxed cake route.

However, I did try to play with the boxed cake a bit. I used both white cake and strawberry cake, and swirled them. It made for a pretty and patriotic design.  Everyone was quite surprised when they cut into it! My friend taught me to sub 1/2 the water for whole milk, which makes for a much moister cake.  You should try it!

Also, while I was cutting this, one of my strawberries sliced into perfect hearts. How flippin' adorable is that?

I made this cake for a Memorial Day BBQ, but it would be really great for the 4th of July as well.  It couldn't be easier to throw together - although if I make it again I promise to make the cake from scratch! It is a huge hit and of course tastes delicious. (It's just cake, Cool Whip, and berries, how could it not be delicious?)  Sandra Lee may not be a recipe writer but she is a great decorator - so sometimes it is good to emulate her, right?

American Flag Cake
(makes 2 cakes)

Ingredients
1 box white cake mix
1 box strawberry cake mix (you can add red food coloring to white cake if you don't like strawberry)
ingredients on the back of the box, but sub 1/2 water for whole milk
2 containers Cool Whip
1 lb ripe strawberries, sliced thin
1/2 pint blueberries

Instructions
Mix the cake mixes as instructed on the back of the box.
Spread half of the white cake into each pan.  Put dollops of strawberry cake mix on top. Using a thin knife, swirl with the white cake below.
Bake as direction and let cool COMPLETELY.
Place the blueberries in the top left corner and make stripes with the strawberries to resemble an American flag.