Description
These festive Firecracker Cupcakes are perfect for celebrations. They feature a moist vanilla cupcake base, a colorful swirl of frosting, and fun sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Red, white, and blue gel food coloring (for frosting)
- Assorted sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together ½ cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with ½ cup milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, milk/cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Divide frosting into three bowls. Tint one bowl red, one bowl blue, and leave one bowl white.
- Spoon alternating dollops of red, white, and blue frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Decorate with assorted sprinkles.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the cupcake batter, as this can lead to dry cupcakes.
- For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cupcakes, vanilla, frosting, sprinkles, patriotic, celebration, dessert