Easy Labor Day Vanilla Blueberry Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Frosting

Happy Monday Ya'll!!  I can't believe we will be in September the end of this week.  Summer went by way too fast, as always!  I wanted to share a recipe that I make that you can easily do yourself and bring to whatever Labor Day celebrations you may partake in.  People will think you slaved over this recipe, it is that good! (If I do say so myself).  Don't worry, the pumpkin recipes are just around the corner!

I love to make sweets and such from scratch,  there is always something therapeutic to me rolling out the dough and crimping pie crusts.  But sometimes, there isn't time.  Today is one of those times.  

Here is what you will need for this recipe.

One box of vanilla cake/cupcake mix (you'll need eggs, vegetable oil & water)

Fresh blueberries

1 cup of butter (room temp)

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Zest of one lemon

2 teaspoons vanilla

3-4 cups of powdered sugar

Heavy cream (1-2 tablespoons, if needed)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

First, let's make the cupcakes based on the directions on the box, easy peasy!!  

 

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full.  

Take the blueberries and mix them in a bowl with 1-2 teaspoons of flour.  You want them to be lightly coated, this will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cupcakes so you get one in each glorious bite. Plus, you won't even know the flour is in there.

Take about 5-6 berries and push into each cupcake.  I didn't push mine in as far as I should have just to show you that they won't sink. I made a few plain ones for my hubby as he is not a fan of fruit in cake, crazy, I know.

Put them in the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 325 degrees and cook for 15-17 minutes until golden brown and fluffy.  I always check at 15 with a toothpick in the center.  If it comes out clean, they are done and don't need the extra 2 minutes.

While they are cooling, let's get the frosting started.

In a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment and cream the butter for 5 minutes on medium.  Add in the vanilla, lemon juice and zest and mix for about another minute on medium.  Take the powdered sugar and add into the frosting slowly, one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.  You may not need it all and if it does get too thick, then add in the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time.  Go ahead, taste it, it's soooooo good!!

Now layer it on the cupcakes and Voila!!

The blueberries and the lemons and vanilla all compliment each other so well.  This is a hit!

What is your favorite kind of cupcake?

Let me know if you end up making these and how they turned out!

Have a great day!!

Homemade Dog Treats Tutorial aka Doggy Crack

Our puppy, Paisley, is part Lab and part Rott.  And because she is going to be 3 next month and only 60 lbs, we believe she has something else in her :)  But she is amazing and not only is she incredibly smart but has the best personality, ever!  She also has had an upset stomach lately and about 8 months ago I started making homemade peanut butter dog treats for her.  I want to be able to control what is in them and what she is eating.  So today, I am going to share this recipe for homemade peanut butter dog treats and show you how to make them! She nearly loses her mind every time I make these treats for her.  SO BE CAREFUL, these are addicting!! :) UPDATE-Please note to have your dog eat these within 2 weeks or freeze them, since the ingredients are all fresh, we don't want our pups getting any moldy treats :)

(PS- as you can see here, she looked hungry so I thought it was time to make them again!)

First, here are the ingredients (of course, you can choose whatever brands you like).

2 ¼ whole wheat flour (excess for rolling dough out)

½ cup cornmeal

½ cup rolled oats

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup water

½ cup vegetable oil

4 heaping tablespoons peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

First, you want to mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl.  I use a whisk just to make sure they are evenly distributed.

Then you want to mix the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl.

Make sure your dog licks the spoon from the peanut butter (before stirring all the wet ingredients together).  Very important step!! :)

Next, you want to combine all the ingredients together, to form a ball.  

Then you want to put some extra flour on your surface and roll the dough out.  I did not want to have to wash the rolling pin, so I merely used the palms of my hands.  You want the dough to be about a 1/4 to a 1/2 inches thick.  

Then cut your shapes! But make sure to keep them the same size so they all cook at the same time.

I got these wonderful dog themed cookie cutters from Wilton.  Get Them Here.

Place on a cookie sheet.  What's nice is since there is nothing in them to make them rise, they can be put right next to each other on the cookie sheet, to utilize the most space.

Cook for 20 minutes (400 degrees).

I usually let them cool on cookie sheets until they are ready for Paisley.

TA DA!!!  

What are your favorite healthy treats for your dogs?

Do you make your own?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!!