Description
Festive vanilla cupcakes with vibrant red and blue swirls, topped with fluffy white frosting and patriotic sprinkles. A showstopping dessert for any celebration!
Ingredients
Scale
- Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Red and blue gel food coloring
- Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Decorations:
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Small American flags (optional)
- Fresh berries (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- Make batter: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk.
- Color batter: Divide batter evenly into 3 bowls. Leave one plain (white), color one red, and one blue with gel food coloring.
- Layer colors: Spoon batters into liners in alternating spoonfuls (red, white, blue) or swirl with a toothpick for a marbled effect.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then cream, vanilla and salt until light and fluffy.
- Decorate: Pipe white frosting using a star tip. Add sprinkles and optional flags/berries.
Notes
- For brighter colors, use gel food coloring (not liquid).
- To prevent color bleed, chill colored batters 10 minutes before layering.
- For a lighter version: Substitute buttermilk for whole milk.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 75mg