Dash threw a truck at my foot yesterday, and–wait, hold up. Let’s talk about the truck for a moment because I bet you’re picturing one of those cute little matchbox trucks.
Exhibit A: The @#&*ing truck.
Changes the story a bit now, doesn’t it? All ten pounds of the truck–multiplied by six from Tom Brady’s throw force–landed on my middle toe. Let me tell you something, nothing brings the crazy out of someone more than sudden pain inflicted by a toy. I once had a friend–a kind, patient man–whose toddler son hit him in the head with a glitter baton in front of a bunch of people. In two seconds, we all watched dad go from patient Jesus to raging animal. Kid ended up in time out and we ended up laughing for years about parenting’s temporary insanity due to sudden pain. No glitter batons in this house. The saving grace of yesterday’s moment was found in Dash’s hysterical giggling because apparently watching your mom jump and moan and breathe funny is hilarious.
The toe is now purple and the truck is gone. Dash and I hugged it out, but the rest of the day followed suit–messes, messes, losing it, messes. Heidi showed up unannounced at my door at 6:00 with a fully cooked dinner because that is what Heidi does.
But enough about my lemons. We specialize in lemonade. We’ve been planning a School’s Out barbecue, and I wanted a special summer treat for the kids. Lainey and I experimented for the first time with cake push pops this week, and they were surprisingly easy to make. We wanted them to look like glasses of lemonade, and I love how they turned out.
A regular ‘ol lemon box cake works fine for the cupcakes, but we made our own buttercream frosting. I mix one package of powdered sugar, one stick of butter, a teaspoon of vanilla and enough milk to get the consistency I like–a little thick for these push pops so that when I tip the pop to layer the cake, the frosting doesn’t fall out.
Lemonade Push Pops
What you’ll need:
lemon or vanilla cupcakes
tinted yellow buttercream frosting in a large Ziplock or pastry bag
treat pops containers (we used these which come in a 12 pack and include a stand–you can wash and reuse them)
fruit sour strips (I wanted yellow ones to cut into a lemon slice, and we found ours at Target)
paper straws
Pull paper liner off cupcake and slice cupcake into three layers.
Holding stick in place at the bottom of push pop, tip push pop upside down and use like a cookie cutter to cut one cupcake layer to size.
Gently push cake circle into bottom of push pop.
Using the frosting bag, pipe an even layer of frosting onto the first layer of cake.
Repeat for each layer. If your frosting’s thick enough, it should stay in place while you carefully tip the push pop upside down to cut the next layer.
When your push pop is full, add one more layer of frosting. Cut a sour fruit slice into the shape of a lemon wedge, add a slit on the bottom and add as garnish to your lemonade glass.
Push paper straw in (cut to size).
Voila! A refreshing glass of lemonade…and you get to eat your cake too.
We cut little holes in a sheet of artificial turf (found in Target’s dollar section), and placed it over a box to display them.
And the only thing better than lemons-turned-lemonade cake is this:
Babies pushing dogs. Gets me every time.
AshleigH @strawberrysophia says
ouch!!! I agree, blows to the foot are ThE worst :/. Those pops look Ahmazing!! Must try!
Mindy says
These are adorable. And perfect for my twin girls’ 6th bday – Strawberry Shortcake & Friends (Lemon Meringue in this case). Any idea how long these would keep if I made in advance? Think I could freeze them? Or maybe make a day or two ahead and keep in fridge?
Kelle says
I don’t see why they wouldn’t keep in the freezer! They’re just like regular cupcakes. You might want to layer them but leave the last dollop of frosting and garnish off. Freeze…thaw and add the last touches at the end.
Rocky Mountain Decals says
Super cute idea! A fun weekend activity with kids too:-)
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Natasha says
I wish I had seen this before my third son’s 1st birthday – he is our rainbow after losing our precious angel Evelyn, and this would have looked lovely with all the rainbow themed treats.
No matter what, you inspire me!
Look after the toe x
Ann says
Love the push-pops idea!! Definitely will try this Summer! And Heidi showing up with dinner….she wins the best friend gold star!!
Barb says
Try pre-cutting all of the circle shaped cake portions before assembling – then you won’t have to worry about turning the cake pop upside down.
Kelle says
Thank you!
Becky says
so sorry about the toe and my first thought also was – that truck would be gone. Love the push pops idea – can’t wait to try for my grands. So glad you have such an awesome friend Heidi
PS- having raised 2 boys (now 36 & 44) you will have more trucks and such in your life so that you can practice “patience”
nancy says
Dash and you would love the book “No, David!” by David Shannon. Certainly you have it, right??? These strong-willed boys (and girls) of ours, they are our leaders of tomorrow, but while they grow up it is one WILD ride! My little “Dash” is now working towards a PhD at Harvard, and I miss those wild days so much now.
Kelle says
Several people have now told me about this book…time to check it out! Thank you for reminding me. Love to hear about the future to come. Congrats, proud mama! That’s amazing.
Alycia says
Oh my gosh toys on toes are so miserably painful. The worst though was my own fault a few months back. I was trying to get a can of stewed tomatoes from the top shelf and it just barely slipped my grip and BAM. Poor sad blue and black toes. Usually I don’t start dinner until my husband gets home but I decided to be proactive. Ya……..everything I might need for dinner now resides on the bottom so my 5’2″ self can actually reach things hahaha.
Kelle says
Now that hurts. I hope you gave those tomatoes a piece of your mind! ;o)
Michelle O. says
These look amazing. I need to make these. On second note, your poor toe, you handled that so much better than I think I would have in the moment.
xx, Michelle
http://rosetolife.com
Kristin @littlemamajama says
These are so pretty!
Kristen says
Omg Kelle these are so cute.They look very good to.Oh I hear you that definitely hurts when something gets dropped on your foot.I was making my bed today and smacked the side of my big toe on one of the legs holding the bed up.Ended up cutting my foot I was jumping around to.It really hurt didn’t see right away that I cut it.
Addison says
Yummy cake pops! Your kids are darling, you have four? Seems like one refused to pose for your babies pushing dogs pic, but at least big sister was willing to step in, so cute!