Doesn’t this sound tasty?  Check out this recipe on Real Simple!

I love this great big cupcake pan by Wilton.  It makes a birthday cake that looks just like a cupcake and it measures 15″x4″x8″.  You just put a thin layer of icing in between the two halves to create the cupcake.  Too cute!

-Betsy

Looking for a non-alcoholic drink recipe to serve at your 4th of July BBQ. Williams-Sonoma has this great Pink Lemonade recipe on their site. Serve it in a patriotic cup and all the kids will be thrilled.  -Katy

Epicurious has some great Red, White & Blue recipes on their site this week. Perfect for any 4th of July Party. If you are feeling ambitious you might want to try this White Balsamic Custard Tart With White Berry Topping. -Katy

Leave it to Martha to come up with some great decorations to make your BBQ or picnic perfect.

These wind socks would be the perfect craft to keep the kids busy this week and will make any 4th of July party extra special.

Your buffet table will be spectacular with these patriotic decorated cans.

-Katy

I came across this fabulous baby shower on the Hostess Blog. I was totally inspired and a little bit jealous that I missed out when I found out it took place right here in Kansas City.The event was planned by the amazing Beth Hemstetter (a KC native) and really shows off some of the city’s hidden treasures. -Katy

We have been gone from our blog for what seems to be an eternity! We had a big hiccup with just add cake a couple weeks ago. Our work laptop, that holds anything and everything just add cake, crashed and burned. It was only 9 months old so naively, I didn’t think I needed to worry quite yet about backing everything up. HAHAHAHAHA! Lesson learned. We lost everything, absolutely everything! So, we are starting over with a lot of our internal, fun paperwork and are now finally back to our blog.

Tip of the day: Back up your hard drive!!

-Betsy

Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
½ red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
1-2 serrano chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
A dash of freshly grated black pepper
1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped

Method
1 Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avacado from the peel, put in a mixing bowl.

2 Using a fork, mash the avocado. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime or lemon, salt and pepper and mash some more. Chili peppers vary individually in their hotness. So, start with a half of one chili pepper and add to the guacamole to your desired degree of hotness. Be careful handling the peppers; wash your hands thoroughly after handling and do not touch your eyes or the area near your eyes with your hands for several hours.

Keep the tomatoes separate until ready to serve.

Remember that much of this is done to taste because of the variability in the fresh ingredients. Start with this recipe and adjust to your taste.

3 Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to prevent oxidation from the air reaching it. Refrigerate until ready.

4 Just before serving, add the chopped tomato to the guacamole and mix.

Serves 2-4.

Variations
For a very quick “guac” just take a 1/4 cup of salsa and mix it in with your mashed avocados.

You don’t need to have tomatoes in your guacamole.

To extend a limited supply of avocados, add either sour cream or cottage cheese to your guacamole dip. Purists may be horrified, but so what? It tastes great. In fact, guac with some cottage cheese added to it is my favorite.

Courtesy: Simple Recipes

We are THRILLED to introduce a new way to shop with just add cake! You can now create the exact party you want. Your little one wants a Fairy Princess/Pirate Party? No problem! Want to add some cute Safari animals to the Classic Birthday Party? Love that idea! Want to throw a Girlfriend’s Pajama Party but you must have a tiara for each guest? That is so easy! Only having three guests at your party… or you are having a BIG party with 20 kids? We’ve got your covered!

You now get to go into each party and choose exactly what you want; nothing more, nothing less! Check us out now. Each party is now all about YOU!

Enjoy the party! -Betsy & Katy