Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Visually Stunning: The vibrant red, white, and blue swirls make these cupcakes an eye-catching treat.
Perfect for Celebrations: These cupcakes are ideal for holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day.
Easy to Make: The process is simple, with easy-to-follow steps for creating the colorful swirls.
Kid-Friendly: With their fun colors and sweet taste, kids will love both making and eating these cupcakes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
Red gel food coloring
Blue gel food coloring
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Cupcake Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-count muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Make the Cupcake Batter: In a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Gradually add in the flour, baking powder, and milk, mixing until fully incorporated.
Divide and Color the Batter: Separate the batter into three bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, blue food coloring to another, and leave the third bowl plain.
Fill the Cupcake Liners: Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of each colored batter into the cupcake liners, layering the red, white, and blue.
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
Make the Frosting: In a stand mixer, combine the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to create a smooth frosting. Divide the frosting into three bowls and color one red, one blue, and leave the third white.
Frost the Cupcakes: Use a piping bag with a star tip, or the plastic wrap method, to swirl the frosting onto each cupcake.
Serve and Enjoy! Let the cupcakes sit for a few minutes to set the frosting before serving.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 16 cupcakes
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 18-20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

Flavored Frosting: Experiment with different frosting flavors like cream cheese or chocolate for a unique twist.
Toppings: Add sprinkles or small American flag toppers for an extra festive touch.
Diet-Friendly: You can adjust this recipe to make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour substitute.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating: These cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh but can be lightly warmed in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds if desired.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but gel food coloring provides brighter and more vibrant colors with fewer drops.

How can I make the frosting swirls look perfect?

Use a tri-color frosting coupler or the plastic wrap method to create beautiful swirls.

Can I prepare the cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, the cupcakes can be baked a day ahead. Just frost them the day of the event.

How do I prevent the cupcakes from overflowing in the oven?

Be sure to only fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.

Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to a month. Thaw them before frosting.

What’s the best way to get the frosting to set?

Allow the cupcakes to sit for a few minutes after frosting to allow the icing to firm up.

Can I use a boxed cake mix for the cupcakes?

Yes, you can substitute with a box mix for convenience, but homemade batter yields the best results.

Can I make the cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.

What’s the best way to store leftover cupcakes?

Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.

How can I make the frosting less sweet?

If you find the frosting too sweet, reduce the powdered sugar slightly and increase the vanilla or milk.

Conclusion

These Red, White & Blue Swirl Cupcakes are a fun and festive way to celebrate any patriotic occasion. With a colorful swirl of frosting and a simple, delicious cupcake base, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends. Whether you’re making them for the 4th of July or Memorial Day, these cupcakes are a treat that everyone will love.

Red, White & Blue Swirl Cupcakes

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Author: Julia
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Celebrate patriotic occasions in style with these Red, White & Blue Swirl Cupcakes! Perfect for the 4th of July or Memorial Day, these vibrant cupcakes feature a light, fluffy base topped with colorful swirls of frosting. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, they’re a showstopper for any celebration.

Instructions

Preheat Oven & Prepare Cupcake Tin:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-count muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Make the Cupcake Batter:
In a stand mixer, combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Gradually add in flour, baking powder, and milk, mixing until fully incorporated.
Divide and Color the Batter:
Separate the batter into three bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, blue food coloring to another, and leave the third bowl plain.
Fill the Cupcake Liners:
Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of each colored batter into the cupcake liners, layering red, white, and blue.
Bake:
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
In a stand mixer, combine butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to create a smooth frosting. Divide the frosting into three bowls and color one red, one blue, and leave the third white.
Frost the Cupcakes:
Use a piping bag with a star tip or the plastic wrap method to swirl the frosting onto each cupcake.
Serve and Enjoy!
Let the cupcakes sit for a few minutes to set the frosting before serving.

Notes

For a flavor twist, try cream cheese or chocolate frosting.

Top with sprinkles or flag-themed decorations to enhance the festive look.

Adjust to make gluten-free by using a suitable flour substitute.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American