Description
Celebrate Independence Day with these festive 4th of July Cupcakes featuring moist white cake layers dyed with red and blue food coloring and topped with creamy vanilla buttercream frosting adorned with patriotic sprinkles. Perfect for any summer barbecue or holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- Patriotic sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, 3 eggs, softened butter, whole milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well incorporated, ensuring there are no lumps for a light and fluffy texture.
- Add colors to batter: Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl, blue gel food coloring to the second, and leave the third bowl uncolored to represent white. Mix each portion well to achieve vibrant colors.
- Assemble cupcakes: Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Alternately spoon layers of red, white, and blue batter into each liner to create a layered patriotic effect.
- Bake the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cupcake pan in the oven and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing continuously. Add vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust the cream amount to reach desired frosting consistency.
- Color the frosting: Divide the frosting into three bowls; tint one with red gel food coloring, another with blue, and keep one bowl white. Mix until colors are uniform.
- Decorate cupcakes: Once cupcakes are fully cooled, frost them using the colored frostings in red, white, and blue, creating patriotic swirls or layers. Finish with a sprinkle of patriotic sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Use gel food coloring as it does not affect batter consistency.
- You can adjust the amount of heavy cream in frosting to make it thicker or thinner.
- Use a piping bag for more precise and decorative frosting application.
- Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
