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Perfect Star-Spangled Cupcakes Recipe for Easy Patriotic Celebrations

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These star-spangled cupcakes combine moist vanilla cake with tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for patriotic celebrations like the Fourth of July. Easy to make and crowd-pleasing, they bring nostalgic comfort with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Red and blue food coloring gel
  • White star-shaped sprinkles or edible stars
  • Optional: fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add the dry mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently on low speed after each addition until smooth and uniform.
  6. Spoon the batter evenly into the 12 liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
  8. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Beat softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.
  10. Divide frosting into three bowls; tint one with red gel, one with blue, and leave one plain white.
  11. Using piping bags fitted with star tips, pipe red, white, and blue swirls on each cupcake to create a star-spangled effect.
  12. Top with star-shaped sprinkles and, if desired, fresh berries for garnish.

Notes

Do not rush creaming butter and sugar to ensure a light, tender crumb. Fold dry ingredients slowly to avoid dense batter. Use gel food coloring to keep frosting thick and vibrant. If cupcakes dome, level gently with a serrated knife before frosting. Keep cream cheese frosting cold until piping for best shape retention. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes individually for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: star-spangled cupcakes, patriotic cupcakes, Fourth of July dessert, vanilla cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, easy cupcakes, festive cupcakes

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/perfect-star-spangled-cupcakes-recipe-for-easy-patriotic-celebrations/