Easter Basket Cupcakes {Lemon Coconut}

Easter will be here before we know it, so today I have a fun and yummy treat to share with y'all. I know Easter is always filled with sugary sweets, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and those famous colored Easter peeps. It's hard to avoid the sugar this time of year, and my mind is already in sugar overload just thinking about it. Tradition is tradition so it's hard to steer clear of all the sweets. 

Honestly I don't put near as much candy as my mom used to put in our Easter Baskets. Instead I try to give my kiddos an even combination of candy and a few fun items (coloring books, crazy socks, books, puzzles, stuffed bunnies, stickers, bubbles, flarp puddy, play doh) and any other fun items I can get my hands on. The Easter department at Walmart usually has a great selection to choose from at great prices.

One thing I always do for any holiday is bake some type of special treat to celebrate (a cake, cookies, or special holiday bread). A week or so back my kids and I made these cute Lemon Coconut Easter Basket Cupcakes that turned out so adorable and they were a huge hit. 

I used a Lemon Supreme Cake mix for the cupcakes and Vanilla Pudding Butter Cream for the frosting. If you're a lemon lover you can use a Lemon pudding mix instead of vanilla. I know some folks frown on using cake mixes, but I love them. They come in all sorts of flavors and are perfect for so many recipes. 

Also with a few simple changes ingredient wise you can make a boxed cake mix taste just like a bakery cake. I usually add a extra egg than what is called for on the box and use milk in place of water. You can also substitute melted butter in place of oil, butI used canola oil  in this recipe.  
 
The frosting is a new recipe I came across on Pinterest and I love it! It's made from a dry pudding mix and isn't sweet at all. It's light, fluffy and holds it's shape when decorating. With all the pudding flavors out there I can think of so many flavor combinations.  I used a vanilla pudding mix, but I think lemon would pair perfectly with these cupcakes.

The Vintage Look with Scentsationals Edison Wax Warmer

Are you a fan of fragrance wax warmers? I own a large Better Homes and Gardens Warmer as well as a small outlet style warmer. I use my warmers all the time and they've become part of my everyday life. Before wax warmers I used tart warmers religiously, but I got tired of always buying tea lights which are not very safe. 

Wax warmers use a safe, clean heat source a (light bulb) to melt the wax. This is a much safer option for me. It was three years ago when I discovered these neat little fragrance warmers (I know I'm always behind on things). I was instantly hooked and have been using my Everyday Expressions Warmer ever since. It's amazing what the power of scent can do for not only your home, but your mood as well.    

I don't how many times someone has come in my home and asked me what I have baking? I always giggle and say nothing, and point them to my warmer. I'm addicted to all the baking scents, but if the food flavors are not for you Scentsationals has a wide variety of scents to choose from. 

Well, last week Walmart gave me the opportunity to try out the new line of Vintage style Scentsationals Edison Wax Warmers.  As soon as I heard the new Edison warmers were vintage style I was instantly on board. I received the Nautical Warmer and I couldn't be happier.

The Nautical warmer is designed to mimic seaside dock lightening. Actually all of the Edison Warmers resemble small vintage style lamps. I think the new Edison Style Warmer fits my decor perfectly. The new Scentsationals Edison line has 10 different warmer designs, so there's something to suit everyone. 

April Menu - Menu Plan Monthly

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today I have my April Menu Plan to share with you. Spring has sprung, so that means warmer temperatures and fingers crossed that old man winter is behind us. I'm looking forward to grilling outside more and finally getting our vegetable and herb garden started. Spring is always a bumping ride in Texas, so you never know what your going to get weather wise. I have incorporated everything from grilling to crock pot meals for this month, so I hope you find something you and your family will love! I have also included my Easter Dinner Menu in case you are looking for a little inspiration. Enjoy!

 
April  Dinner Menu

Crock Pot Chicken & Dressing  

Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken {New} Skillet Mac & Cheese & Baked Beans

Not My Mama's Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Steamed Carrots

Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad & Garlic Texas Toast

Chicken Breasts & Gravy, Whole Grain Pasta, Sauteed Green Beans

Coney Dogs & French Fries

Hawaiian Meatballs & Brown Rice, Roasted Asparagus & Fresh Pineapple

30 Minute Pumpkin Chili & Skillet Cornbread

MaMaw's Dorito Beef Casserole, Flour Tortillas & Fruit