5 Useful Summer Crafts for Kids

Summer brings long, sunny days and endless opportunities for children to explore, create, and play. However, parents often find themselves searching for engaging activities that keep their kids both entertained and productive. This is where summer crafts for kids come in. These hands-on projects not only spark creativity but also encourage learning, problem-solving, and fine motor skill development. Best of all, the results are often practical items that can be used, gifted, or displayed proudly.

While screens can be tempting during school breaks, setting aside time for arts and crafts helps children connect with the world around them. They can work with natural materials, experiment with colors, and express their personalities through unique designs. Moreover, crafting together strengthens family bonds, offering moments of laughter, teamwork, and shared accomplishment.

Another advantage is that summer crafts for kids can easily be tailored to different ages and skill levels. Younger children might enjoy simple painting or gluing activities, while older kids can take on more challenging projects that require planning and patience. In addition, many crafts use affordable or recycled materials, making them budget-friendly for families.

To make the most of these creative sessions, choose projects that serve a purpose beyond the fun of making them. For instance, a painted flowerpot can be used to grow herbs for the kitchen, while a personalized tote bag becomes a reusable accessory for trips to the library or beach. This way, children see the value in what they create and feel proud of their accomplishments.

In the following sections, we will explore five enjoyable and useful craft ideas perfect for summer days. Each one is designed to inspire creativity, teach practical skills, and produce something your child will be excited to use or share.

1. DIY Painted Flowerpots

Why it’s useful: Kids get to decorate pots that can be used to grow flowers, herbs, or small vegetables, encouraging them to care for plants.

What you need: Terra cotta pots, acrylic paints, brushes, water cup, clear sealant spray.

How to do it:

1. Wash and dry the pot.

2. Let your child paint patterns, shapes, or even characters.

3. Once dry, spray with a sealant to protect the design.

4. Fill with soil and plant seeds or seedlings.

2. Personalized Tote Bags

Why it’s useful: Perfect for carrying books, toys, or beach essentials, and it’s eco-friendly.

What you need: Plain cotton tote bags, fabric paints or fabric markers, stencils (optional).

How to do it:

1. Place cardboard inside the bag to prevent paint from bleeding.

2. Let kids design with paints or markers — they can draw their favorite animals, write their name, or use stencils.

3. Let it dry completely before using.

3. Nature Sun Catchers

Why it’s useful: Brings summer sunlight into the house and teaches kids about different leaves and flowers.

What you need: Paper plates, clear contact paper, scissors, flowers, leaves, ribbons.

How to do it:

1. Cut a hole in the middle of the paper plate to make a frame.

2. Stick a piece of contact paper behind it, sticky side up.

3. Arrange leaves and petals on the sticky surface.

4. Cover with another layer of contact paper.

5. Punch a hole, tie a ribbon, and hang in a sunny window.

4. Recycled Jar Lanterns

Why it’s useful: They make charming decorations for evening picnics or sleepovers.

What you need: Empty glass jars, tissue paper, glue, paintbrush, battery tea lights.

How to do it:

1. Tear tissue paper into small pieces.

2. Apply glue to the jar and stick the paper pieces on, layering as you go.

3. Let it dry and place a battery tea light inside.

5. Homemade Bird Feeders

Why it’s useful: Attracts birds to the garden, letting kids observe wildlife up close.

What you need: Toilet paper rolls, peanut butter (or sunflower butter), birdseed, string.

How to do it:

1. Spread peanut butter on the toilet paper roll.

2. Roll it in birdseed until fully covered.

3. Thread a string through the roll and hang it from a tree branch.

Final Tip for Parents

Summer crafts are more than just a way to pass the time — they help kids gain confidence, learn new skills, and make memories. You can even turn these projects into small “summer challenges” where kids collect points for completing different crafts.

Also Read

Free Christmas Tree Knitting Pattern – Easy Holiday Decor for Beginners

 

Looking for a new knitting pattern? You’re in the right place! This time, we’re making something festive, fun, and handmade — a cute little Christmas tree you can knit with love. Whether you're decorating your home or making small gifts, this project is a joy to create.

If you love holiday crafts, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s just the right mix of cozy and creative. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover yarn. You can knit one or make a whole forest of trees!

The best part? This Christmas tree knitting pattern is easy to follow. It's written row by row, so there’s no guesswork. Even if you’re not a pro, you can still try it. It’s perfect for intermediate knitters and confident beginners who want to try something new.

You only need basic stitches like knit, purl, and a few simple decreases. There are also some yarn overs to create a nice lacey look. As a result, the tree has texture and charm. You’ll love how it turns out.

Even better, you can customize it. Want to hang it? Add a loop. Want to make it stand? Stitch the sides and stuff it. You can even decorate it with beads or buttons!

So, grab your needles and some yarn. Let’s make something beautiful this season. Scroll down to get the free pattern and happy knitting!

Free Christmas Tree Knitting Pattern

Yarn: Worsted weight (wool-acrylic blend)
Needles: 4 mm (US 6) straight needles
Finished Size (approx.): ~12–15 cm tall
Stitches Used: 

• Knit (k)
• Purl (p)
• Knit 2 together (k2tog)
• Yarn over (yo)
• Slip-slip-knit (ssk)

---

Written Instructions – Flat Knit Tree

This pattern creates a lacey triangular tree for flat use (or sewn into a cone).

Cast on 35 stitches (sts)
(RS = Right Side / WS = Wrong Side)

---

Row 1 (RS): Knit all
Row 2 (WS): Purl all
Row 3: k1, yo, k2tog, repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 4: Purl all
Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, repeat to last 2 sts, k2
Row 6: Purl all
Row 7: k3, yo, k2tog, repeat to last 3 sts, k3
Row 8: Purl all
Row 9: k4, yo, k2tog, repeat to last 4 sts, k4
Row 10: Purl all

---

Decrease section:

Row 11: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 → 2 sts decreased
Row 12: Purl all

Repeat Rows 11–12 until 7 stitches remain

---

Top Point:

Row 1: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 → 5 sts
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 → 3 sts
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: k3 together → 1 st

Cut yarn, pull through.

There’s something truly special about adding a handmade touch to your holiday décor, and this free Christmas tree knitting pattern is a charming way to do just that. Whether you’re crafting it as a keepsake, a gift, or a festive centerpiece, each stitch carries the warmth and love of the season. So grab your needles, pour yourself a cozy drink, and let your creativity light up the holidays—one tree at a time.

You Can Also Read

Knitted Christmas Ornaments | Free Patterns Included

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag – Science + Snack!

Making homemade ice cream might sound like a fancy kitchen task, but what if I told you, it could be as simple as shaking a bag? That’s right! With just a few ingredients, a bit of ice, and a sprinkle of salt, you and your little ones can whip up a frozen treat right at home—no machine required. Even better? It’s not just a delicious snack; it’s also a fun science experiment in disguise.

As moms, we’re always looking for hands-on activities that can entertain and educate at the same time. Whether it’s the weekend, a school break, or just one of those “I’m bored” days, this homemade ice cream in a bag recipe checks all the boxes. It’s quick, it’s budget-friendly, and most importantly, it’s exciting for kids of all ages. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—what more could we ask for?

In fact, this little project introduces children to basic scientific concepts such as freezing points and chemical reactions, all while keeping their hands busy and their curiosity engaged. Because let’s face it—when learning tastes this good, it sticks.

Moreover, this activity encourages quality time. You’re not just making dessert—you’re making memories. And while you could easily buy a tub of ice cream from the store, there’s something incredibly special about making it together, from scratch. Every shake of the bag becomes a laugh, every icy fingertip a giggle.

So, if you’re searching for a fun way to beat the heat and sneak in a little learning, keep reading. This homemade ice cream recipe might just become your new favorite go-to activity. It’s the perfect blend of science, sweetness, and shared smiles.

Easy Kids Craft: Make a Magical Laundry Monster That Eats Dirty Socks!

We’ve all been there—laundry baskets overflowing, socks mysteriously disappearing, and kids somehow allergic to putting their dirty clothes in the right place. But what if you could turn laundry time into playtime? Enter: The Magical Laundry Monster—a delightful and silly creature your child makes themselves, whose favorite food is… dirty socks!

This project isn’t just adorable—it’s also an easy kids craft that encourages responsibility, imagination, and giggles. Plus, it gives those rogue socks a proper home (until you get around to washing them).

Let’s walk through how to create your very own sock-snacking monster and why this might be your new favorite family craft.

⸻

Why Make a Laundry Monster?

Before we dive into materials, let’s talk benefits.

• ✅ Encourages kids to put their socks in one place

• ✅ Promotes creativity through color and storytelling

• ✅ Turns chores into games (goodbye power struggles!)

• ✅ Supports motor skills through cutting, gluing, and assembling

• ✅ It’s one of those rare easy kids' craft projects that feels purposeful

Let’s get started.

⸻

Materials You’ll Need:

Most of these items can be found at home or in your recycled bin!

• 1 medium cardboard box (shoe box or cereal box size)

• Colored paper or paint

• Googly eyes or buttons

• Pipe cleaners or yarn (for hair or antennae)

• Scissors

• Glue stick or glue gun (with adult supervision)

• Tape

• Markers

• Fabric scraps, foam, or felt (optional)

⸻

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose Your Box

Find a medium-sized cardboard box that’s light enough for your child to carry but large enough to fit a few pairs of socks.

Cereal boxes work well if you want a tall monster; tissue boxes are perfect if you want a wide-mouth design.

⸻

2. Cut the Mouth

This is where the magic begins! With adult help, cut out a large “mouth” on one side of the box.

It should be wide enough to easily toss socks through. Make jagged edges if you want “teeth,” or add felt triangles to give it a goofy grin.

⸻

3. Paint or Wrap Your Monster

Use colorful paint or wrap the box with construction paper. Let your child choose the monster’s color theme—green with purple spots? Pink with rainbow stripes? Anything goes!

Encourage them to use markers to add freckles, stripes, or even fur texture.

⸻

4. Add Eyes

Glue on googly eyes or buttons to create silly or scary expressions. For extra fun, make the eyes uneven or three in a row!

You can also use paper towel rolls for big bulging eyeballs or stick them on pipe cleaners to make wiggly antennae.

⸻

5. Make It Hairy

Attach yarn, string, or shredded paper to the top of the monster’s head for wild, spiky hair. Or twist pipe cleaners for crazy curls.

This step always gets the most giggles!

⸻

6. Decorate with Personality

Let your child go wild. Add:

• A bowtie or necklace made from felt

• A name tag (“Hi, I’m Mr. Sock-Eater!”)

• Tiny arms or feet made from cut paper

Remind them there’s no “right” way to do it—it’s their creature!

⸻

7. Tell the Story

Once it’s done, give your monster a name and a story. Maybe it only eats left socks, or maybe it dances every time someone feeds it. The sillier, the better!

This storytelling element adds an emotional connection to the craft—kids are much more likely to use it if they helped invent the personality.

⸻

How to Use Your Laundry Monster

Now that your monster is hungry and ready, place it in your child’s room, near the bathroom, or by the laundry area.

Every time they remove their socks, the challenge is: “Feed the Monster!”

You can even say:

• “Oh no! He’s starving! Quick, toss him a stinky sock!”

• “He only eats dirty socks after 6 p.m.—hurry before he gets hangry!”

Gamifying chores like this is surprisingly effective, especially for ages 3–8.

⸻

Bonus Variations

If your child loves this easy kids craft, try these upgrades:

• Mini Monsters for Toys: Use small boxes to create snack monsters that “eat” toy pieces, LEGOs, or puzzle bits.

• Recycle Monster: Turn it into a paper or bottle collector for eco-learning.

• Laundry Dragon: Add wings and turn it into a fire-breathing sock guardian!

Transitioning into these versions helps build long-term habits—plus, it gives you more reasons to craft together again.

⸻

Why This Easy Kids Craft Works

Let’s face it—telling kids what to do doesn’t always work. But inviting them into the process of creation? That’s powerful.

This activity blends imagination with purpose. You’re not just building a craft—you’re creating a character, a routine, and a reason.

And because it uses everyday materials, it feels approachable even if you’re not a Pinterest-perfect parent. It’s just about connecting, laughing, and giving your child a sense of ownership.

⸻

Final Tips to Keep It Fun

• Keep glue time supervised for younger kids

• Let them name the monster—it increases their attachment

• If it gets worn out, no stress: make another one next weekend!

• Compliment them when they “feed the monster”—positive reinforcement helps the habit stick

⸻

Final Thoughts: Turning Mess into Magic

Parenting is full of tiny daily battles—laundry, tidying up, cleaning sticky hands. But when we turn those battles into games, everyone wins.

The Magical Laundry Monster isn’t just a box. It’s a tool for cooperation, independence, and creativity. And it might just save you a few sock-hunting headaches.

So go ahead—grab that cereal box, some googly eyes, and your child’s wildest ideas. Let them invent a monster they’ll love… and you might just fall in love with it too.

⸻

📸 Share your Monster!

Did your child make their own sock-chomping monster? I’d love to see it! 

Also Read

Ten Summer Snacks My Kids Actually Love (That Are Healthy and Quick!)

If your kids are anything like mine were, then they seem to get hungrier the moment school is out. Summer means more play, more energy spent—and somehow, more “I’m hungry!” whines echoing through the house.

As a mom juggling creativity, work, and the chaos of summer break, I’ve learned the hard way that snacks can make or break the day. And if you’re trying to balance nutrition, speed, and a sprinkle of fun? Well, you’re in the right place.

So today, I’m opening my kitchen and my heart to share with you the healthy summer snacks my kids actually love—and trust me, I’ve tested plenty that didn’t make the cut!

These are quick, simple, and made with real ingredients I can feel good about—plus, they’re all approved by my toughest food critics: my daughters.

5 Crafts to Keep Your Kids Creative Without Screens

 Dear Super Moms,

Summer is here—and with it, the endless chorus of “I’m bored!” If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for creative ways to keep your children entertained, engaged, and off their screens—without spending a fortune.

Today, I’m sharing 5 simple, screen-free crafts that spark imagination, boost focus, and bring your family closer together. These are tried-and-tested activities from my own “supermom” toolkit—and most of them use materials you already have at home!

1. Nature Mandala Collage

Go outside, collect leaves, twigs, flowers, and pebbles, and create a mandala together on the floor or a large sheet. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and teaches symmetry and patience.

🟢 What you’ll need: paper or cardboard base, glue, collected nature items

🎯 Age: 3+

💡 Tip: Take a picture before you clean it up—it makes a lovely memory!

2. Magic Wands with Personality

Transform chopsticks or sticks into sparkly magic wands using ribbons, beads, yarn, and hot glue. Let your kids invent spells and stories—perfect for roleplay and storytelling!

🟢 What you’ll need: sticks, ribbons, glue, decorations

🎯 Age: 4+

💡 Tip: Ask your child to name their wand and describe its power. You’ll be amazed!

 3. Recycled Robot Workshop

Gather toilet paper rolls, buttons, bottle caps, and boxes to create funky robot creatures. A wonderful STEM activity that encourages kids to upcycle and imagine.

🟢 What you’ll need: recyclables, glue, markers

🎯 Age: 5+

💡 Bonus: Turn it into a “Robot Fashion Show” for extra giggles.

4. Sticker Story Book

Fold A4 papers to make a mini book and let your child decorate each page with stickers and drawings. Ask them to invent a story and read it aloud at the end!

🟢 What you’ll need: paper, stickers, colored pencils

🎯 Age: 3–8

💡 Connection time: Do this activity together before bedtime for a cozy moment.

5. Salt Dough Memory Tiles

Make salt dough together, shape it into hearts or circles, and press little hands or summer finds (shells, leaves) into them. Once baked, paint and seal!

🟢 What you’ll need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water

🎯 Age: 4+

💡 Keepsake idea: Write the date and your child’s name on the back.

Why These Crafts Matter

In a world full of screens and noise, hands-on creativity is medicine. It helps kids focus, express themselves, and build emotional resilience—all while creating unforgettable memories with you.

Let this summer be one of simplicity, joy, and connection. 

📸 I’d love to see your little artists in action!

If you try any of these ideas, share a photo with me on Instagram or tag me with #MariaSupermomCrafts

With love and paint-stained hands,

Maria

You can also read:

DIY Cardboard Fish- A Fun Upcycled Craft with Texture and Color

 

Dive into creativity with this eco-friendly cardboard fish craft! It’s a wonderful project for kids, parents, or anyone wanting a relaxing, tactile experience. Using recycled cardboard and a splash of color, this fish will look charming on a wall or even as part of a mobile.

⸻

✂️ Materials Needed:

• A piece of cardboard (from any box)

• Pencil and scissors

• White glue or glue stick

• Colorful craft paper scraps (or tissue paper, magazine cutouts, or old wrapping paper)

• Markers or paint (optional for detailing)

• Googly eye or black marker

• String (if you want to hang it)

• Optional: aluminum foil for shiny fins

⸻

🧭 Instructions:

1. Draw and Cut the Fish Shape

Sketch a simple fish on cardboard — big round body, triangle tail. Cut it out. 

Download and print the fish design. Just click on it!

2. Create Scales

Cut circles or teardrop shapes from colorful paper. Overlap and glue them to form scales across the body.

3. Add Fins and Tail

Glue extra cardboard or foil cutouts for the tail and fins to give them texture.

4. Add an Eye

Stick on a googly eye or draw one with a marker.

5. Detail and Finish

Use markers or paint to add dots, gills, or outlines. You can also punch a hole at the top and tie a string to hang your fish.

⸻

💡 Creative Tip:

Each fish can have a personality! Try making a whole school of fish in different colors and sizes—great for classroom decorations or home art corners.

⸻

🎯 Why It’s Therapeutic:

This project invites focus through cutting, layering, and arranging—excellent for calming the mind and boosting creativity.

5 Ways Mandala Art Changed My Life

 

For as long as I can remember, my life has revolved around one thing: being a mom. From the moment I opened my eyes in the morning until the late hours of the night, I was always on. Preparing meals, solving problems, calming tears, celebrating milestones, cleaning messes, and answering an endless stream of “Mama?”—this was the rhythm of my life. And I poured myself into it, fully and without hesitation.

But somewhere along the way, I forgot how to pause.

I forgot how to breathe for myself. 

There was always something more urgent than my own needs. A forgotten school bag. A late-night fever. A mountain of laundry. I wasn’t unhappy. I was just exhausted. I kept pushing, pushing, pushing… until I couldn’t anymore. I hit a wall. A deep, quiet burnout crept in, and I found myself hollowed out from the inside.

Then something unexpected happened.

I went on a short getaway alone. Just for two days to catch my breath. No children. No to-do lists. Just silence. I didn’t have a plan. I brought a notebook, some pens, and the hope that maybe I’d reconnect with a part of myself I hadn’t heard from in years.

That’s when I discovered mandala art.

It started with a simple circle. I traced it carefully. Then another inside it. And another. No rules, no expectations; just rhythm. As I added shapes and patterns, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: peace. That one moment of drawing quietly opened a door I didn’t know existed. A door to healing. To stillness. To myself.

1. It Taught Me to Be Present

When you’re a mom, your mind is always running ahead—what’s for dinner, who needs help with homework, how to fix the next emotional meltdown. Mandala drawing gave me something I didn’t know I was desperate for: a pause. It’s hard to explain until you try it, but focusing on small, repeated patterns naturally draws you into the present.

Every shape I added felt like a deep breath.

Every stroke pulled me closer to now.

It was a gentle, healing kind of mindfulness. Unlike meditation, which sometimes felt impossible to quiet my racing mind, mandala drawing gave me something to do while I rested mentally. That small shift changed my relationship with stress.

If you’ve never tried mindful mandala drawing, I share free beginner tutorials and printable guides on MariaHajj.com to help others experience this same calm.

2. It Healed My Inner Chaos

I didn’t realize how much emotional clutter I was carrying until I saw it spilling into my drawings. Some days, my mandalas came out tight, rigid, and tense—just like my body. Other days, they were fluid and flowing. I started to notice patterns between what I was feeling and what I was drawing. And then came the powerful realization: this art was helping me release what I couldn’t always put into words.

It became a safe space to process grief, guilt, overwhelm—without needing to explain anything to anyone. Just me, a pen, and a piece of paper. No judgment. No rules. Just relief.

Over time, the shapes I drew reflected more peace than pain.

3. It Gave Me a Voice Without Words

I’ve always been someone who feels deeply but doesn’t always know how to express it—especially the heavy stuff. Through mandalas, I found a way to say things my voice couldn’t. Each color I chose, each layer I built—it was all a message from my subconscious.

It made me feel seen, by myself.

And that was healing in a way I never expected.

This form of creative expression also reawakened parts of me I had long silenced. The artist. The dreamer. The storyteller. The woman who had ideas and needed space to bring them to life. Mandala art became more than a hobby. It became a reclamation.

4. It Reconnected Me to My Roots

As I deepened my practice, I naturally gravitated toward the mandala styles that echoed Middle Eastern patterns—like the ones I saw in my grandmother’s rugs or on the mosaics in old Lebanese homes. I began incorporating traditional motifs, Arabesque elements, and cultural symbolism into my work.

That connection to heritage brought a whole new layer of meaning.

I wasn’t just drawing. I was remembering.

It became a quiet tribute to my ancestors, to the stories woven into our art, our textiles, our architecture. And it made me proud. For the first time, I wasn’t trying to fit into Western art standards—I was honoring the beauty I came from.

5. It Became a Purpose Bigger Than Me

Once I saw how deeply mandalas had helped me heal, I couldn’t keep them to myself. I started sharing what I learned—online, in workshops, through books. I created mandalas for others to color. I taught people how to draw their own. I listened to their stories, and they listened to mine.

Suddenly, my art wasn’t just personal—it became communal.

Today, I help others discover their own inner peace and creativity through mandala drawing. Whether it’s a tired mom needing a moment of calm, a child struggling with focus, or someone healing from grief—there’s a mandala for every heart. And nothing brings me more joy than watching someone light up when they say, “This helped me.”

Final Thoughts

Mandala art didn’t just help me unwind—it helped me come back to myself.

It reminded me that I matter too. That creativity is not a luxury. That stillness is a form of strength.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, lost, or creatively stuck, I invite you to pick up a pen, draw a simple circle, and let your hand move. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be pretty. It just has to be yours.

You might be surprised by what you find within that circle.

Smarties Birthday Cake

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"A cute delicious pile of Smarties and Maltesers will make a perfect birthday cake for sweets addicts. More specially, if you hide a moist chocolate cake below covered with an exquisite chocolate french buttercream."

Serves 20
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Preparation time: 1 hour

Recipes included:

*Rice Krispie treats: Check our rice krispie treats video
*Sponge Cake: Check the recipe of our sponge cake and add to each 4 eggs 40 g of cocoa powder. Bake the batter in a greased bundt cake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

*French butter cream: Check our recipe of vanilla butter cream. Add to each 1 cup of prepared cream, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.

If you like my recipes and you wish to follow me you could JOIN my blog, SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Cooking Channel, LIKE my Facebook Page, and Follow me on Pinterest.

Génoise or Sponge Cake Recipe

Génoise Cake or Sponge cake.
This recipe is wonderful for cake decorating, it's luscious and fairly
firm to allow you to shape any design you want.

Makes 1

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

4 free-range eggs

1/2 cup white granulated suagr

1 cup all-purpose flour 

3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder

Using  large pot, bring water to a boil, top with a heatproof bowl but make
 sure the bottom doesn't touch the water.
When the the bowl is warm, add the eggs and vanilla.

Pour the white granulated sugar

Mix well using a whisk until the batter heats through ( lightly transparent and runny)

Transfer the mixture to an electrical mixer, and beat on medium speed until it cools.

Gradually pour the flour and baking powder while beating on low speed.
Once all the dry ingredients has been added,
increase the speed to high until well combined. Use a rubber spatula
to scrape the edges and give the Génoise batter a final blend.

Spoon the Génoise batter into an 8 inches round cake, lined with parchment paper.
Bake on 170◦ C for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
You can add food colorant to the batter and create as many colors as you like.
In this picture I am preparing for a Frozen birthday cake and I have prepared
a shade of blue.

Crème au beurre- French Buttercream

You can use this cream to frost or fill cakes, cupcakes, pies and more. It'f fluffy and light and it's definitely healthier than the regular butter cream since the load is distributed between egg whites and butter.

Makes 5 cups
Preparation Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

2 1/8 cups (510g/ 18 oz) butter
1/2 cup (125g/ 4 1/2 oz) Crisco ®, All-vegetable shortening
3 egg whites
1/4 cup (55g/ 2 oz) extra fine white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Sugar syrup
1 1/2 cups (330g/ 11 2/3 oz) super fine white sugar
1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon (75 ml/ 2 1/2 fl oz)


Preparation
1- In a medium pan, pour the sugar and water. Do not mix to prevent crystallization. Bring to a boil until the sugar reaches 110◦ C.

Sugar syrup boiling

2- Meanwhile, start beating egg whites in the medium bowl of an electrical mixer on medium speed. When bubbles start forming, increase the speed to fast and keep beating until the eggs double in volume. then add the vanilla and sugar in a stream, do not dump in the middle or this will make you lose the air condensed inside of the whites.
Pour the sugar syrup little by little, beating on medium-high speed until the batter is stiff and glossy.

The glossy and stiff egg whites mixture

3- Allow the egg whites mixture to cool for 1 hour, then start adding the shortening and butter beating on medium speed until all is well combined and the cream is ready to be used.

Adding the shortening

Adding the butter

This cream is super delicious and light. I personally prefer the French butter cream for one simple reason: the egg whites give it more volume and fluffiness and there is definitely less quantity of butter.