Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and the weather is getting warmer. Why not kick off the holiday weekend the right way with a backyard barbecue! But as you probably know by now, you can’t have a successful barbecue without a fantastic spread, and that’s where we come in. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. From barbecue classics to spruced up desserts, these flavorful dishes are guaranteed to please that party crowd!

After a long day in the sun, all you want to do is cool off and relax. What better way to do this than treating yourself to a Strawberry Mint Iced Tea. The strawberry, mint, and honey combination is perfect for a hot summer day! (via Joylicious)

This Watermelon and Berry Spinach Salad just screams Memorial Day! It’s a great way to start the party and snack on a healthy treat. (via Babble)

Let’s face it, as soon as the weather starts showing signs of summer, all we can think about is grilling! Why not start off the grilling season with Burrata Stuffed Burgers. This is not your average burger, but it sure does sound good! (via Foodness Gracious)

You can’t have a successful barbecue without a hot dog option. This year, spice it up a little and serve Beer Chili and Cheese Dogs. (via The Beeroness)

A simple pasta salad is always the perfect pairing for a cookout. Try this whole wheat Pasta Salad with Feta and Pea Shoots for a great combination of flavors! (via The Clever Carrot)

Spruce up a cookout classic! Try making this Spicy Corn on the Cob at your next barbecue to add a unique twist on a family favorite. (via Babble)

Dessert time! Dive into this light and fluffy Strawberry Trifle. This recipe is a summertime must! (via Deliciously Classified)

Cool off with these Paletas de Frutos Rojas (Wild Berry Popsicles). Serving a cool dessert at your backyard get-together is sure to please the crowd. (via Agoisfoto)

These Bacon Bourbon Baked Beans are a smokey side you won’t be able to resist. Talk about the perfect dish for your Memorial Day grilling celebration! (via How Sweet It Is)

This creative Red, White, and Blue Dessert Pizza combines all your favorite springtime flavors to create an eye-catching treat. (via Better Recipes)

Are you planning a barbecue for Memorial Day? Let us know what you’ll be serving!

Camille Styles brings so much inspiration for creative living on her site, as well as her Pinterest Page. With over 40 boards, there’s certainly a board worth following for everyone. Camille breaks down holiday inspiration by offering different boards for each holiday from Halloween to Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day. But with summer coming soon, we’re loving her Picnic board, her Cocktail board, and her board full of Scrumptious Salads. We can definitely see why this Pinterest Page has over 25,000 followers. There’s absolutely something for everyone!

Stay inspired with Camille Styles on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/camillestyles/

Today, we’re thrilled to have Nina of Niner Bakes sharing an easy, fun recipe with us! We absolutely love these pretty pastel cupcakes. They’re simple and perfect for spring! And the best part? You can use this fluffy marshmallow frosting to top any of your favorite cupcakes. Top your thick swirl of frosting with pink pearl sprinkles, and you have the perfect pastel inspired treat.

VANILLA CUPCAKES WITH FLUFFY MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

VANILLA CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS:

—2 1/2 cups flour
—1 tablespoon baking powder
—1 cup milk, room temperature
—1/2 teaspoon salt
—2 egg whites + 1 whole egg, room temperature
—2 teaspoons vanilla extract
—1 1/2 cups sugar
—4 ounces (1 stick) butter, room temperature
—1/2 cup heavy cream

NOTE: Take out your butter, milk, and eggs a couple of hours ahead of time so the ingredients reach room temperature.

 STEP BY STEP VANILLA CUPCAKE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees / 180 Celsius and prepare your cupcake pan with the cupcake liners of your choice.
2. In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a pitcher or medium bowl, add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything with a wire whisk.
4. In another bowl, using your handmixer (or electric mixer if you have one), cream the butter first, then add the sugar. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the butter/sugar mixture is very fluffy and light in color.
5. On a lower speed, add the flour mixture and egg/milk mixture to your butter/sugar mixture. Start with the flour mixture, then beat. Then add the egg/milk mixture, and beat again. Continue those steps, beating after each addition, until the mixture is well incorporated.
6. When everything is well incorporated, continue beating for another minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
7. Take your whipped cream out of the fridge and beat it in a new bowl (preferably a stainless steel bowl that was put in the freezer for 10 minutes before).
8. Do not beat whipped cream until stiff, only until you see that the peaks are just starting hold. They should be soft.
9. With a spatula or spoon, fold your whipped cream into your cupcake batter.

10. Now scoop the batter into your cupcake pan using a measuring cup or an ice cream scoop. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full.

11. Bake cupcakes in your preheated oven for 14-16 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
12. Let the vanilla cupcakes cool completely on a plate or wire rack.
13. When completely cooled, top with Marshmallow Frosting.

MARSHMALLOW FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

—2 1/2 cups sugar
—6 large egg whites, room temperature
—1/2 cup water
—1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
—1 teaspoon vanilla extract

STEP BY STEP FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To make the frosting, combine sugar, egg whites, water, and cream of tartar in a big bowl / bowl of an electric mixer.
2. Whisk until everything is extremely well incorporated and a little foamy. Then set your bowl over a pot or kettle of simmering water and whisk (5 minutes). The sugar needs to be dissolved.
3. To test if the sugar is dissolved, rub a little bit of the mixture between two fingers. You will notice undissolved sugar crystals. Stir a little longer until sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Now, transfer your bowl to a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. You can mix it with a hand mixer, but it will take ages, so I would not recommend it at all.
5. Mix on high speed until your marshmallow frosting forms stiff peaks. This will take about 11-15 minutes.
6. Add vanilla extract and beat again until combined.

STEP BY STEP STYLING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Transfer the frosting to a large pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip or any other size/shape you like.

2. Pipe Marshmallow Frosting on cooled cupcakes. Note: You can also frost them higher so you get Hi-Hat Cupcakes. As long as the frosting is stiff and solid enough, it’ll hold its shape on the cupcake.

What flavor of cupcakes would you pair with Marshmallow Frosting?

I absolutely love collaborating with creative people both online and offline.  Some of the most beautiful projects I have been involved in have been a result of collaboration.  Not to mention, I have met some of my best friends along the way. Don’t miss Alison Dutton’s, CEO of Yoked, Alt Class “Creating the Perfect Pitch” this Friday at Alt for Everyone as she talks about tips and tricks for collaborating.  Other speakers include Joy Cho, Liz Stanley, and so many more!

Today, Allison is giving BFFF readers a special sneak peek at one of the slides that she will be sharing in her presentation this Friday, which will also be featured in Yoked’s Newsletter next week.  See you in class!

Flatbread is all the rage these days. From pizzas to sandwiches, flatbread is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. So when we heard that FlatOut released a new line of Thin Crust Flatbread at Walmart, we could hardly wait to go play in the kitchen.

One of my favorite things to do with flatbread is to make pizza. You can throw marshmallows, chocolate, and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top to make a s’more dessert pizza, or you can take a “dinner” approach and incorporate your favorite ingredients to create a pizza like I did here. If you love Thai food as much as I do, then you will love this Thai Flatbread Pizza.

If you’re not sure where the closest location to score flatbread is, check out this nifty store locator that will guide you to the right place.

THAI FLATBREAD PIZZA

THAI FLATBREAD PIZZA INGREDIENTS:

—FlatOut thin crust flatbread
—1 and 1/2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce (find in the Asian foods aisle at your grocery store)
—Cooked chicken breast (cut into cubes)
—3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
—Handful chopped green onion
—1 small julienned carrot
—1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
—Handful bean sprouts
—Handful chopped cilantro
—Handful chopped Thai basil

STEP BY STEP THAI FLATBREAD PIZZA INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Lay your FlatOut flatbread on a flat surface, and spread sweet chili sauce over the top. (Be sure not to use too much, as sweet chili sauce can be overpowering.)
3. Sprinkle chicken, mozzarella cheese, green onion, carrots, and bell pepper over the flatbread.
4. Bake pizza in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
5. Sprinkle pizza with bean sprouts, cilantro, and basil before serving.

Have fun with this recipe? Check out FlatOut Flatbread’s Facebook page for a whole goldmine of delicious recipes. For the next 30 days, they’re releasing a new recipe each day that incorporates the leading ingredient–Flatbread.

That’s not all, FlatOut  Flatbread is hosting a fantastic giveaway exclusively for BFFF readers.  Enter through the Rafflecopter Widgit below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Best Friends For Frosting was sponsored to create this post.

We love to go against the grain. You know, shake things up. And while it may just be interesting for us to try a gluten free dessert once in a while, for some people, gluten free is a diet necessity. We hate the idea that not everyone can enjoy the same desserts as we do, but we’re doing our best to help change that! For those gluten free eaters out there, this one is for you.

Let Vanilla Passion Proughnuts be your own personal light, fruity, and guilt-free donuts. (via Chocolate Chilli Mango)

These Low Carb Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bites are a delicious twist on a classic candy. (via All Day I Dream About Food)

A throwback to your childhood, these four-ingredient gluten free Peanut Butter Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies are the perfect snack. (via Beard + Bonnet)

Classic jam-filled shortbread cookies get a gluten free twist in this recipe. Dusted with powdered sugar, these Gluten Free Vegan Linzer Cookies are almost too pretty to eat! (via Cafe Johnsonia)

This Black Forest Pavlova with Espresso Cream is gluten free? You’re kidding! We might never go back. (via The Cook Who Knew Nothing)

Get back to the basics with this Dark Chocolate Brownie recipe. It’s a decadent treat for anyone to enjoy. (via Gluten Free Goddess)

Use gluten free cereal to make chewy, gooey, and oh so sweet Hippy Crispy Treats. (via Fave Gluten Free Recipes)

We dare you to eat only one slice of this rich and creamy Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Strawberry Mascarpone Gateau.  (via Passionate about Baking)

Do you have a favorite gluten free recipe?

Some of the most beautifully decorated baked goods we see today are covered in fondant. It’s smooth, flawless, and it gives bakers of all levels the ability to be extremely creative when it comes to cake decorating. The good news is you don’t need to be a professional pastry chef to work with fondant. As a matter of fact, marshmallow fondant is something you can make at home! There are just a few basic ingredients to making marshmallow fondant such as marshmallows, water, and powdered sugar. It’s a simple process, and with a little patience and practice, you will be decorating your own fondant covered cake in no time! Click on the link below for a step-by-step guide to making your own marshmallow fondant.

Read More: How to Make Marshmallow Fondant

Any pet owner can tell you that it’s pretty heartbreaking to be enjoying a delicious dessert while your furry best friend is gazing up at you with those sad, doe-like eyes. After all, your dog is your best friend; you spend time together every day, and they’re always there for you when times get tough. They deserve a special treat, right? If you’re a responsible pet parent that still feels a guilty because they can’t enjoy the occasional sweet like you do, don’t worry! There’s actually a lot of adorable dog friendly treats out there that are perfect for your fuzzy companion.

These Paw Print Dog Biscuits are the perfect way to treat your dog for a job well done after a long walk or just because you can’t resist their best begging face. Bake a batch and store them in a large mason jar! (via Martha Stewart)

Did you know that dogs love peanut butter just as much as we do? These Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits are sure to be a hit with your furry friend, and they’re pretty easy to make! Also, did we mention that there are rainbow sprinkles involved? (via The Novice Chef)

It’s easy to buy standard dog treats at the store, but there’s something about making treats at home for your furry friend that’s really special. It’s also comforting to know exactly what goes into making them, so you know that you’re not feeding your dog something harmful. These Carrot-Banana Natural Dog Treats are sure to have your dog waiting by the oven until they’re done! (via 17 Apart)

Chances are, your dog loves icing and sprinkles as much as you do. What better way to treat them than with a healthy Apple-Bacon Dog Treat? (via Munchin with Munchkin)

Is your pup’s birthday coming up? They may not know it, but with this Mini Berry-Almond Cake, they’re sure to feel like it’s a special day indeed. (via Chic Sprinkles)

Little treats are the perfect way to help with training, or just a little way to reward your friend. Since they can’t enjoy Hershey’s Kisses, these Puppy Kisses are definitely the next best thing! (via Pretty Fluffy)

If you’re looking for a cute way to showcase your homemade treats, check out this DIY Treat Jar! It’s the perfect way to keep their favorite treats nearby, and it would also make a great gift for a friend or family member who has recently adopted their new best friend! (via Pretty Fluffy)

Tell us about your special furry friend and how you show them how much you love them!

As we’re in the middle of spring, and summer is fast approaching, florals are everywhere! From fashion to home decor, floral patterns are always on trend. So, why not match that with the perfect cupcake recipe?

Today, we’re thrilled to share a recipe for Lavender and Matcha Cupcakes topped with Cream Cheese Frosting. Although it may sound like an unusual flavor combination, these cupcakes are perfect for those who love the subtle tones of matcha, or Japanese green tea. With a floral kick of lavender, and a thick swirl of cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for any outdoor event. We’re thinking they would be great for a garden party or a stroll at the farmer’s market. It’s up to you!

These cupcakes use full fat, organic, top quality ingredients, which can truly make a difference in the quality of your desserts. The best ingredients are always worthwhile when it comes to baking.

LAVENDER AND MATCHA CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Makes 32 mini cupcakes, 12 large

Adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

MATCHA CUPCAKES INGREDIENTS:

—1/2 cup Greek yogurt
—2/3 cup whole milk
—1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
—1/3 cup canola oil
—1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
—1 teaspoon baking powder
—1/4 teaspoon baking soda
—4 teaspoons matcha powder
—1/2 teaspoon sea salt
—3/4 cup granulated sugar

STEP BY STEP CUPCAKE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare your cupcake tin with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and oil.
3. When the wet ingredients are well blended, sift in all the dry ingredients.
4. Fill your cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake for 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
5. Allow to completely cool on a cooling rack before frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

—1/4 cup butter, room temperature
—1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
—2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
—1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
—Lavender florets

STEP BY STEP CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until well blended.
2. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, making sure it’s well blended before adding the next 1/2 cup.
3. Add your vanilla extract and keep mixing until frosting is creamy but stiff.
4. Using a piping bag, swirl the frosting on top of each cupcake. You can also spread the frosting on if you prefer.
5. Top each cupcake with a sprinkle of lavender florets.

VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS

1. Use vegan yogurt and soy, rice, or almond milk instead of dairy options. The cake will come out just a tad dryer.
2. Rice flour can replace all-purpose flour. Be aware that the batter will be slightly lumpier.
3. Use vegan margarine and tofu spread (like tofutti) for your frosting.

Do you remember your favorite dessert as a child? Banana pudding? Jello molds? Meringue pies? Whether these were your favorites, or you had sometime totally different, there are some desserts of the past that just pull at your heartstrings. And let’s be honest, they’re still just as delicious as they were back when we were children. Here are a few favorite desserts that you may remember.

Remember Ding Dongs? Well, your favorite after-school treat has transformed into a sophisticated treat. Actually, this Raspberry Red Velvet Cakewich looks even better than those childhood cakewiches! (via Cake Monkey)

Remember when Jello molds were all the rage? Not only are they delicious, but they’re also very easy to make! This Ambrosia Jello Mold might look just like the molds that graced your family’s dessert table for Sunday dinners. (via Lick The Bowl Good)

It doesn’t matter how old you are; you’re never too old for pineapple upside-down cake. These Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes would be the perfect party-pleaser, don’t you think? (via Tiny Tea Room)

Do you remember when birthday cakes just meant a delicious candy and candle covered concoction? This Chocolate Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream definitely brings back some fantastic childhood memories. (via Just Love Cookin’)

This Classic Strawberry Cream Cake is a perfect dessert for just about everyone; the sweet strawberries and moist cake make for a classic combination. (via California Strawberries)

What’s your favorite childhood dessert?