Description
Celebrate Independence Day in sweet style with these festive 4th of July Cupcakes! Made with a moist and fluffy white cake mix base, layered with red and blue colors, and topped with a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfect for parties, BBQs, or fireworks night.
Ingredients
Scale
Essential Ingredients:
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box white cake mix
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (optional)
Colors and Decorations:
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Red and blue sanding sugar
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with festive cupcake liners.
- Mix cupcake batter: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, sour cream, oil, water, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and well-combined.
- Divide and color: Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Leave one bowl white, color one red, and the other blue using food coloring. Stir each until well blended.
- Layer in liners: Spoon about a tablespoon of blue batter into each liner, followed by white, then red. Smooth each layer gently with a spoon or spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Frost and decorate: Frost cupcakes with a piping bag or spatula. Sprinkle with red and blue sanding sugar.
Notes
- Use clear vanilla to maintain a bright white batter and frosting.
- For a swirled patriotic frosting, divide the frosting into three bowls and color two with red and blue. Pipe them together for a fun effect.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake (with frosting)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: 4th of July Cupcakes, Patriotic Cupcakes, Red White and Blue Dessert, Independence Day Treat, Holiday Cupcakes