Here is a last minute dessert idea for your 4th of July celebration. These Patriotic Cupcakes are too cute! A box cake mix makes them easy to make. This recipe came from Quick Cooking (now Simple and Delicious). The recipe makes 18, however I decided to stretch it it 24. It worked ok, but I think the different layers would have worked out better if I would have stuck with the 18. The recipe also calls for canned frosting. That will make these even easier. However, I am not a fan of canned frosting so I made my own vanilla buttercream. The recipe is below. I also wanted to let you know, I will post a recipe tomorrow. It will be another quick and easy last minute recipe.
Patriotic Cupcakes
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon blue food coloring (I used gel)
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (I used gel)
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting or your own frosting
Red, white and blue sprinkles
Prepare cake batter according to package directions.
In a small bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and blue food coloring. In another bowl, combine 1-1/3 cups batter and red food coloring. Leave remaining batter plain.
Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups with 2 tablespoons red batter, 2 tablespoons plain batter and 2 tablespoons blue batter. Bake at 350° for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with vanilla frosting; decorate with sprinkles.
Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter softened
4 2/3 cup powdered sugar
milk (I use about 3-4 Tbsp)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Put butter in bowl and beat with electric mixer until fluffy. Then add about half the powdered sugar. Then beat in 1 Tablespoon milk and the vanilla. Slowly add in the rest of the powdered sugar. Add more milk if needed. Add food coloring if desired. (This will be enough for 18 cupcakes)
I love this recipe Laura!
However, I found using 2 tablespoons of each color was a little too much batter for my baking cups. Did you mean 2 teaspoons? Either way they’ll get eaten, just a thought. Have a fun Fourth! Thanks again for a fun recipe!!
xo. Brooke
This is a delicious looking treat. What a great idea! We had beautiful fireworks in our area. Happy 4th!
Jackie at PhamFatale.com
SO cute!!!! I love the layering!Happy 4th!
Very cute, I'll have to try those next year! They look yummy! I just made these today:
http://www.recipegirl.com/2009/06/18/red-white-and-blue-finger-jello-2/
Don't they look yummy:) Just going through my bookmarks and there you were!
Thanks for sharing & a Safe & Happy 4th to you and yours:)
Happy 4th! We’re planning on grilling up a storm this weekend. I just posted a recipe share link on my site. Hope you’ll stop by and add a favorite:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts.html
Those are cute. I am making cupcakes for the kids for our grill out. I might use this recipe because I needed somthing quick and easy. I have two other adult desserts to make.