Fourth of July Tablescape 2017

Summer is here! Let the backyard cookouts, longer days, & sun-kissed skin commence! But also, it’s the season to celebrate our great country on the Fourth of July. 🇺🇸 This year I’ll be taking the boys to my parents house for a cookout and fireworks in the back yard. Just like when I was a little girl. I love that my boys get to watch fireworks with me in the same backyard as I did growing up.

Since I am going home, I can’t go empty handed. So I will be taking a cherry pie and cake to greet my family with. I don’t go home very often, so maybe the sweet treats will help me lessen the scolding I’ll get from my brother. 😂

This year, for our 4th of July tablescape, I focused on textures. I love the variety of textures mixed  with the mismatched linen napkins and white dishes.

In Carrie fashion, I went on a baking frenzy. It’s funny, I do what my friends like to call “stress baking”. Baking always clears my mind and makes me happy. I think my family, friends, & coworkers are ok with that though. 😂

Originally I planned to make an American Flag cake, where the inside looked like the American Flag when you cut into it. However, I decided that was too much work…so I made a batch of buttercream frosting, slapped some between the two white cakes and spread a layer on the top, then topped it with some cherries. Easiest cake EVER! 🙌🏼 I took it to my work for my coworkers and it was all gone when I left work that day, so I think it tasted good. The recipe for the buttercream frosting is at the bottom of this post.

Of course I had to make cherry pie too! I LOVE cherry pie! It is my absolute favorite. My recipe is HERE. The recipe also shows how I braid the crust.

More times than not, I just use store bought crust and church it up by doing an egg wash and topping it with sugar in the raw. It makes the crust sweet and flaky. My favorite!

Hungry yet?!?

Well friends, thats all for this post. I hope you found it inspiring! If you have any questions please leave a comment below or come say hi on Instagram. My handle is @acarriedaffairdesigns

I hope you have a safe and fun 4th of July! Until next time. Xo

Shop This Post

Note: I purchased the wicker tray from an antique store, so I couldn’t find the exact one to link, but I linked similar ones. Everything else is as pictured.

Buttercream Frosting Recipe

This might be the easiest recipe of ever. I have to thank my hubby for it. I’ve made buttercream frosting before, but used heavy whipping cream. Since I didn’t have any and was too lazy to go to the store my hubby said to use whole milk. It worked like a charm! Perks, of having a chef for a hubby. 😊

If you are looking for an easy and quick recipe for buttercream here it is!

Tip: This recipe made enough for me to add a layer in between two 8 inch cakes and a layer to the top. If you have more than 2 cakes and want to add a layer of frosting to each, I would recommend doubling this recipe. 

Ingredients:

2 sticks of unsalted butter (softened)

4 1/4 cups of powdered sugar

3 tbsp of whole milk

1 pinch of salt

1 tsp of almond extract 

Step 1: Whip the softened butter in a mixer until fluffy. Don’t over beat the butter.

Step 2: Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until peaks form.

Note: I like to use almond extract, but you can substitute vanilla extract if you aren’t a fan of almond.

Step 3: You’re done! Easy peasey! You can use immediately or put it in the refrigerator.