Independence Day Flag Cupcakes (Printable Version)

Delicious vanilla cupcakes decorated with tri-color swirled frosting, sprinkles, and American flag toppers for your patriotic celebration.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the cupcakes

01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ tsp baking powder
03 - ¼ tsp salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
08 - ½ cup whole milk

→ For the frosting

09 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 3 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tbsp heavy cream
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Red and blue food coloring

→ For decoration

15 - Red, white, and blue sprinkles
16 - Small American flag picks or printable flags on toothpicks
17 - Optional: Star-shaped candies or edible glitter

# Steps To Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with red, white, or blue cupcake liners. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Alternately fold in dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
02 - Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
03 - Beat butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt until well combined. Divide the frosting into three equal portions: leave one white, color one red, and one blue using food coloring.
04 - Transfer colored frostings to piping bags. Create a patriotic swirl by placing all three colors side-by-side in one piping bag, or use a tri-color coupler. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes in a swirl pattern. Garnish with sprinkles, edible stars, and small American flags.

# Notes and Tips:

01 - Cupcakes can be frozen ahead of time and decorated fresh on Independence Day for convenience.
02 - For an elevated presentation, consider creating red and blue batter swirls before baking.
03 - Whipped cream frosting can be substituted if serving immediately and a lighter topping is preferred.

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