Description
Festive, fluffy vanilla cupcakes with vibrant red, white, and blue buttercream swirls. Perfect for patriotic celebrations, these simple yet impressive treats are make-ahead friendly and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cupcakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
9 Tablespoons butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup finely chopped white chocolate
1 cup + 1 Tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
For the Patriotic Buttercream Frosting:
2 cups butter, softened
5 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons whipping cream
Red, white, and blue gel food coloring
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
In a stand mixer, cream softened butter and ¾ cup sugar until light and fluffy.
Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with milk and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter gently.
Divide batter evenly into prepared cupcake tins. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
For the frosting: In a mixer, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Divide frosting into three bowls. Color red, white, and blue with gel food coloring.
Frost cooled cupcakes using a star piping tip, creating a swirl with each color side by side.
Notes
White chocolate can be substituted with finely chopped marshmallows or omit for fewer calories.
Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Use gel food coloring for intense pigments; liquid food coloring may alter consistency.
Pipe frosting close together for neat red/white/blue stripes or overlap slightly for a marbled effect.
- Prep Time: 40
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg