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.
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I found this recipe in the Simple & Delicious cookbook from the editors at Taste of Home. This is a cookbook I simply love. I reviewed a copy of the book and you can find it here. I love that these cupcakes start with a mix. You must use a white cake mix or the colors will be off and you’ll be disappointed with the results.
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 18 cupcakes from the recipe.
I happened to have the traditional red, white and blue sprinkles, or jimmies, but you you could use nonpareils or fun star sprinkles. See some of my favorites below. 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.

Patriotic Cupcakes
Patriotic cupcakes are perfect for a July 4th celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 package white cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
- ½ teaspoon blue food coloring
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring
- 1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
- 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. Frost with vanilla frosting; decorate with sprinkles of your choice.
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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!