Surprise family and friends with these fun, layered cupcakes. Whether you’re celebrating July 4th, hosting a backyard gathering for Memorial Day, or welcoming a soldier home from duty these patriotic cupcakes are perfect for the occasion.
Pin Patriotic Cupcakes to make later.
I love that these patriotic cupcakes start with a mix. The white cake mix is soft and tender and the colors are so vibrant.
The layers are pretty impressive and look good when you bite into them. It’s really a fun treat that’s not only pretty but delicious.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use a white cake mix only. A yellow cake mix won’t give you vibrant colors.
- Frost the cupcakes with my favorite white buttercream frosting.
- Use store-bought tub frosting for a shortcut.
- Gently spoon each color into the cupcake liner.
- After adding each color to the cupcake liner, gently shake the pan to level the batter.
- Don’t wait to add sprinkles to the cupcakes after you frost them. Frost a cupcake, add the sprinkles. If the icing sets, the sprinkles won’t stick.
The challenge is getting each color into the cupcake liners evenly. Try to get the colors one on top of the other so they don’t bleed down the side. If they do, don’t sweat it. They will still be red, white, and blue and taste delicious! I got 12 cupcakes from the recipe.
I happened to have red, white, and blue fun star sprinkles, but you could use nonpareils, sprinkles, or jimmies. See some of my favorites below in the recipe card.
You can also use patriotic cupcake liners, although I used white ones because I had them and it’s kind of fun to see the colors of the cupcake through the liner.
I made my family’s favorite buttercream to top these cupcakes. You can find the recipe below. I piped a swirl but you can just spread it on with a knife if you prefer. Short on time? Use store-bought tub frosting in white then add the sprinkles.
Are you looking for more patriotic recipes?
These patriotic ice cream cones are a fun way to serve your favorite ice cream flavor. All-American patriotic dessert tarts are another kid-friendly dessert everyone will enjoy.
Patriotic Cupcakes
Patriotic Cupcakes for patritotic holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 package white cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
- ½ teaspoon blue food coloring
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- 1 recipe for buttercream frosting, recipe below
- Red, white and blue sprinkles (jimmies, non-pariels or stars)
Instructions
- Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions for cupcakes. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a small bowl, combine 1-⅓ cups batter and the blue food coloring. In another bowl, combine 1-⅓ cups batter and the red food coloring. Leave remaining batter plain.
- Fill paper-lined muffin cups with evenly with the red batter, then evenly with the plain batter and finally evenly with the blue batter. Bake at 350° for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare buttercream frosting and frost cooled cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles.
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Easy Buttercream Frosting
This buttercream is perfect for cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
Ingredients
- ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1 stick butter
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In large bowl, beat shortening and butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
- Gradually add sugar, about one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry.
- Gradually add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Notes
This recipe is for stiff consistency buttercream, which is excellent for piping decorations like flowers. However, it will need to be thinned for icing cakes and borders. Add milk in small quantities until desired consistency is achieved.
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Originally published on June 27, 2017 and updated May 28, 2021.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
What fun cupcakes! The colors are so vibrant and I’m sure they would be a hit at any gathering for Memorial Day or July 4th!
Hezzi-D says
Such an easy to make and fun red, white, and blue recipe!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Thanks for the tip on where you got your red, white and blue sprinkles! Your cupcakes are so, so cute!
Karen @Karen's Kitchen Stories says
These are super cute! My grandkids would absolutely love them. Those patriotic sprinkles are such a nice tip too.
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
There’s nothing quite like a festive summer holiday dessert! The only problem? Having to find where I hid all of my food colorings the last time I used them. Why can’t I put them back in the same spot each time??? Oh well, I guess I better start looking for them…because these cupcakes look too adorable not to make!
Lynn @ Fresh April Flours says
Adorable! Good tip about the white cake vs yellow cake. That would definitely screw up the colors.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
These cupcakes are so fun for the 4th!
Shana says
These are soo adorable and festive! my kids would love them!!!
Laura says
What a fun collection of patriotic goodies!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a cute idea!!
Maureen says
So cute! And I love that they are easily adaptable to our own Canada Day holiday for July 1st! Cupcakes are one of my go-to desserts for outdoor celebrations since no utensils or plates required!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
Love these cute little patriotic desserts!
Jolene Martinelli says
Very fun and so easy to switch out the colors for any occasion 🙂
Carlee says
These cupcakes are so much fun! Pinning them everywhere! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate365!
Wendy Klik says
Hah….great minds Ellen….Thanks for hosting.
Laura Sampson says
These are SUPER cute–I pinned them and I think my sons and I will make them this weekend! <3 SO fun.
Cynthia says
These are so fun! I love the colors that are in the cupcakes. I can see these being a hit at any get together!