From Box Cake To Gourmet Cake

On your next Birthday celebration or family gathering take your Box cake mix from ordinary to gourmet cake with a few simple ingredients and these yummy recipes from Betty Crocker.

Raspberry Lemonade Cake

Betty Crocker created the
poke cake, a cake that's poked
after baking so the topping
forms pockets of wonderfulness.
Try this delicious citrus-berry
combo. A boxed Cake
mix turned into a summer
treat.   Click here for
complete recipe.

Ooey Gooey Carmel Cake

Love caramels? Make a rich,
gooey caramel cake without
the fuss of unwrapping candies.
Click here for complete recipe
from Betty Crocker

Better Than Almost Anything Cake

The combination of rich
ingredients produces a
decadent, caramel-soaked
cake that's sure to be a hit!
Click here for complete recipe
from Betty Crocker

Do you have a recipe that creates a yummy gourmet cake out of your boxed cake mix?

Birthday Cupcake Push Pop Cakes

Cupcakes have been the craze for the last few years and now here comes the cupcake push pop cakes - a fun a yummy way to serve mini cupcakes at your next Birthday bash. Gourmet Mom On The Go shares her complete how to instructions. Click here to go to Gourmet Mom On The Go now.

Popcorn Birthday Cake

My youngest is a popcorn addict who runs in the door each day after school ready to pop his big bowl of pop corn for his afternoon snack - wait till he sees this amazing Popcorn cake that Happy Home fairy created.  This will be the perfect birthday cake for my son on his next birthday to celebrate him and his popcorn addiction.  Click here for complete recipe.

Do you have a popcorn recipe your family loves?

Birthday Cupcakes With Bisquick

You can make pancakes, waffles, Bisquick and many other dishes with your big yellow box of Bisquick but did you know you could make cupcakes? 

You can whip up a batch of yummy Lightly Lemon Cupcakes for an upcoming Birthday celebration or Summer pic-nic  using your Bisquick with this recipe from Betty Crocker .  Click here for complete recipe.

Cupcake Poppers

These little cupcake parties say celebration in bright yummy colors serve these at your next birthday party.  We found these over at Betty Crocker and you can watch their how to video and get complete instructions by clicking here.

Free cupcake e book

Cupcakes are such a trendy craft theme right now, so check out these zero calorie cupcake crafts to make. These 31 Cupcake Inspired Creations feature something for everyone, from sewing patterns and paper projects to painting and beading. You can't help but smile when you see a cupcake, complete with frosting and colorful sprinkles. This free eBook has homemade home decor projects, gift ideas, jewelry, keepsakes, and even kids' crafts, all cupcake themed! The FaveCrafts resident craft expert, Maria Nerius, compiled the decadent projects in this eBook just for you. Inside you'll find projects designed by Maria and other talented craft designers. Make a cupcake quilt, cupcake bracelets, cupcake ornaments, and more when your download this ebook.



Download the 31 Cupcake Inspired Creations eBook now!

MOM Tip: Themed Cupcakes

MOM Tip: DIY Fun Themed Cupcakes!

Create fun cupcakes for any occasion. Try making a themed cupcake! Super easy anyone can do. Click here for a HUGE selection of themed cupcakes from Family Fun.

Free - Birthday Parties Cookbook By Betty Crocker

FREE: You can download a FREE digital version of Betty Crocker Birthday Parties cookbook - full of 70 recipes, 9 fun filled menus and photos. You can flip through online, just like paging through a magazine!

Click here to get your FREE digital cookbook now.

6 Simple Birthday Cupcakes

Kids love cupcakes and these 6 recipes are sure to bring smiles to their faces. I love how simple they are for MOMS to make.

Tie-dyed Cupcakes
from Betty Crocker

Ingredients

1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white or yellow cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1	container (9 oz) Betty Crocker® Parlor Perfect™ confetti sprinkles

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Make cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes--except fill muffin cups half full; top each with 1/4 teaspoon sprinkles. Top with remaining batter; sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon sprinkles.
2. Bake and cool as directed on box for cupcakes.

Clown Cupcakes
from: Taste Of Home

Ingredients

• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 3 cans (16 ounces each) vanilla frosting, divided
• Yellow, red and blue paste food coloring
• 24 ice cream sugar cones
• Assorted candies: M&M's miniature baking bits, red shoestring licorice and cherry sour ball candies

Directions

• Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool completely on wire racks. Divide two cans of frosting among three bowls; tint with yellow, red and blue food coloring.
• For clown hats, use a serrated knife or kitchen scissors to cut 2 in. from the open end of each cone. Frost cones with tinted frosting; decorate with baking bits. Place on waxed paper for 30 minutes or until frosting is set.
• Frost cupcakes with remaining vanilla frosting. Leaving room for the hat on each cupcake, make a clown face and hair with candies. Pipe a matching ruffle on each. Carefully position a hat on each cupcake. Yield: 2 dozen.

Cub Cupcakes
from: Family Fun

Ingredients

• Cupcakes
• White or light chocolate frosting

• Mint patties
• Junior mints or chocolate chips

Instructions

1. To make these treats, frost your favorite cupcakes with white or light chocolate icing (for a furry paw, mix the frosting with grated coconut first).

2. Top each cupcake with a small mint patty. Then place three Junior mints or chocolate chips, points up, around the larger patty for claw marks.

Dinosaur Cupcakes
from: Family Fun

You can actually make this same cupcake using any time of topper....this is a great reminder how simple it is to make cute cupcakes. You could use Barbie shoes, Hot wheel cars, Wild animals, Polly Pockets or Plastic rings. Think about your theme and get creative.

Ingredients

• Baked cupcakes
• White icing
• Zip-top plastic bag

• Shredded coconut
• Green food coloring
• Small plastic dinosaur (washed)

Instructions

1. Frost the cupcake. To make the "grass," place a handful of shredded coconut in the zip-top bag, add a few drops of food coloring, seal the bag and shake it. Cover the frosting with grass and top with a dinosaur.

Tips:

For a sandy look, use crushed graham crackers or molasses cookies instead of tinted coconut. Small rocks can be made out of chopped nuts.

Fairy Dust Wands
from: BHG

Ingredients

• 1 19.8-ounce package fudge brownie mix
• Small star stencils
• Powdered sugar
• 1 ounce vanilla-flavored candy coating, chopped (optional)
• Fine sanding sugar (optional)
• Gold luster dust (optional)
• White nonpareils (optional)
• 2 tablespoons canned chocolate frosting
• 12 cream-filled pirouette cookie

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 12 2-1/2-inch muffin cups; set aside. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 24 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; loosen sides and remove from pans. Cool cupcakes completely on wire racks.

2. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a small hole in the side of each cupcake by twisting carefully. Turn cupcakes bottom sides up. Place a star stencil onto a cupcake and sprinkle with powdered sugar; lift stencil carefully. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.

3. Or, place candy coating, if using, in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power (medium) for 1 minute; stir until smooth. Cool about 5 minutes; spoon into a small, heavy plastic bag. Snip a small hole in one corner of the bag. Pipe swirls and other desired designs onto cupcakes. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, luster dust, and nonpareils, if desired, or dust with powdered sugar.

4. Place a little chocolate frosting on the end of a pirouette cookie. Gently push the frosted end of the pirouette into the hole in the side of a cupcake to make the handle of the fairy wand. Repeat with remaining frosting, cookies, and cupcakes. Makes 12.

Triple Treat Chocolate Cupcakes

from: Nestle

For those chocolate loving fans this is the perfect simple cupcake.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) devil's food cake mix
• 1 pkg. (4 oz.) chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 container (8 oz.) sour cream
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® SWIRLED™ Semi-Sweet & Premier White Morsels, divided
• 1 container (16 oz.) prepared white frosting

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Paper-line 30 muffin cups.

COMBINE cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, vegetable oil and water in large mixer bowl; beat on low speed just until blended. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup morsels. Fill each cup 2/3 full.

BAKE for 25 to 28 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost; decorate with remaining morsels.

MOM Tip - Cookie Cutter Food

Use cookie cutter shapes that go with your child's birthday party theme to cut out sandwiches, jiggler jell-o, cookies, pizza etc. Such as if your child is having a 101 Dalmatian party use a dog bone shaped cookie cutter.

Create A Party Pantry

Many of us have gift closets where we buy various gifts ahead and place them on the shelves to be given at upcoming parties and occasions. Several years ago I began what you could call a Party Closet.

I began saving the left over party supplies from my kids birthdays and purchasing supplies ahead of time on clearance. My Party Closet has saved me oodles of money each year as I celebrate my children's birthdays.

* if you don't have closet space you can also use a large storage container with lid that can easily be stored in your garage, bedroom closet shelf etc.

Stock your own Party Closet with:

Balloons
Curling ribbon
Table cloths - both plastic and cloth
Party confetti
Crepe' paper
Party hats
Party horns
Party CD's
Birthday Flag ( to hang outside your home)
Birthday candles
Stick lighter
Special Birthday plate
Leftover or purchased on sale: Party plates, cups and napkins, Party centerpieces, cake topper decorations.
Generic Party favors: crayons, sidewalk chalk, glow sticks, bubbles, play-doh etc.
Party games: pin the tail supplies, pinate blind fold, scavenger hunt lists etc.

Birthday Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

When I was a little girl my mom enrolled me in a community cooking class and the first thing I remember getting to bake was Cupcakes inside Ice Cream cones. Last week while I was baking in Betty Crocker's kitchen I learned a new trick about baking these yummy treats.

The new trick is rather then pouring the batter directly into the ice cream cone and hoping it doesn't spill over, you pour the batter into the cupcake holder then place the ice cream cone upside down in the middle of the cupcake holder. Yes, the batter bakes right into the cone AMAZING.

Ready to snack these yummy treats for your next Birthday bash or a fun surpirse for your kids when they arrive home from school?

Ice Cream Cone Cakes

from Betty Crocker
Ingredients:

1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® party rainbow chip cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
24	flat-bottom ice cream cones
1	to 2 containers Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy frosting (any flavor)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. Make cake batter as directed on box. Fill each cup 2/3 full of batter (1 heaping tablespoon each). Place ice cream cone upside down on batter in each cup.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean (cones may tilt on batter). Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Remove paper baking cups. Generously frost cake with frosting, and decorate as desired. Store loosely covered.

Special Touch

After frosting, enjoy a downpour! Sprinkle frosted cone cakes with any of the following: breakfast cereal, animal crackers, dried fruit, candy sprinkles, crushed hard candies, graham cracker crumbs, granola, mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.

Substitution

Vary the flavor of your cake cones by using other varieties of Betty Crocker® cake mix. You could also try different flavors of flat-bottom cones.

Free Cakes For Kids

Last month I went to my friend's house for her some birthday. They had they coolest cake I had ever seen! (see picture to right) And it tasted SO yummy too! I asked if they had made it. She said NOPE they got it from Free Cakes For Kids. So then I was on the hunt for more information!

Their Mission Statement: "We believe that every child deserves a special birthday cake…and we are sure that you do too."

There are over 800 volunteers in U.S., U.K., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia. Currently there are only 6 states within the U.S. that do not have active chapters.

I spoke with Mischell Devine who is the South Sound Chapter Director. "
Each chapter provides a different number and it is reported by a monthly cake count. My chapter in Western WA, provided well over 250 cakes in 2009."

WOW! What an amazing group of volunteers they have!

How you can help! Devine states "We are always in need of supplies, gift cards are great, for local grocery stores and places such as, Michael's, and Jo-Ann's. But powdered sugar, boxed cake mixes, cake boards, cake boxes, shortening, etc. are always very welcomed. All items can be donated to local chapters or to the main "home" office. You can contact either myself or Toni for contact information.

We do accept monetary donations and there is a PayPal button on the main site. However, some "clients" will give us a few dollars at the time of delivery."

Of course if you are in need of a cake for a child's birthday or know of a child who needs a cake please feel free to utilize this wonderful group of people who have generously donated their time and talents to provide birthday cakes for children across the world!

Free Cakes for Kids is a volunteer run and supported organization that provides birthday cakes at no cost to children who otherwise might not receive one.

We are committed to supporting the youth of our area however we can.

We receive referrals for kids in need from teachers, neighbors, community members, parents and others as well as supporting a variety of charities which benefit local youth, such as the Make a Wish Foundation, Camp to Belong and Olive Crest.

Volunteer bakers are always welcome. No special talents needed, only a love of baking, a passion in your heart and a desire to bring a little sunshine into a child's day.

We are happy to donate cakes for fundraisers or special events.

For more information click HERE.

To find a local chapter click HERE. (Note this is only ONE of the volunteer lists. To access the other lists from their site click on "Find Volunteer", "Volunteer 2" and "Vol3".

To request a cake click HERE.

To volunteer to help click HERE.

Thanks to Mischell and all the wonderful volunteers at Free Cakes for Kids.

Submitted by Tanya Peila

24/7 MOMs Project Manager

tanya@247moms.com