Sweet Idea: DIY Fringe Firework Cake Topper

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and for me (and a lot of my family members) it's also time to slice up birthday cake. As a kid, I got pretty accustomed to sharing a cake with all of the late-June and July birthday folks, so when Confetti Pop needed a patriotic DIY this one seemed like a no-brainer.

A great twist on this fringe firework topper? Well, we opted for red, white, and aqua to make it feel a little fresher. Check out this super-simple tutorial here.

Sweet Idea: Snow Cone Cupcakes

A lot, and I mean A LOT, of my family members and in-laws have birthdays on or around July 4th. And, I'm so addicted to snow cones that my hub bought me an at-home snow cone machine one year for Christmas. So, you can probably imagine my squeals of delight when I saw Bakerella's snow cone cupcakes!

Want to get the recipe and how-to for these patriotic, summer treats? Head on over to Bakerella.

Semi-Homemade 4th of July Sweets

There are only three days until the 4th, but it's not too late to plan a stunning dessert for your BBQs and bonfires. These desserts are simple and quick to make, but they can be made even easier by adding your own flourishes to bakery goodies.

Top pre-made pound cakes with whipped cream, blueberries, and raspberries.

Berries also sweeten up a traditional cheesecake.

Buy cupcakes in bulk, visit a Sam's Club or Costco to really rake in the savings.

As I'm sure you've noticed, berries are your shortcut to dressing an otherwise very vanilla dessert. Take advantage of additional savings by buying your cakes, cupcakes, and berries at a bulk retailer like Sam's or Costco.

I'll be back next week with some behind-the-scenes peeks at the dessert table I'm designing for Minnesota Bride Magazine's Best of 2010 gala.

Enjoy your semi-homemade holiday!

Images (Martha Stewart)