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Patriotic Sprinkle Cupcakes

Celebrate the Fourth of July with these easy Patriotic Sprinkle Cupcakes! Moist vanilla cupcakes filled with festive sprinkles and topped with homemade buttercream and colorful decorations.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time21 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcakes

Ingredients

Patriotic Sprinkle Mix

  • 1 package Wilton Red Sprinkles Pouch Mix
  • 1 package Wilton Blue Sprinkles Pouch Mix
  • 1 package Wilton Diamond Sprinkles Pouch Mix

Vanilla Cupcakes

  • 1 box French Vanilla Cake Mix
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup Patriotic Sprinkle Mix
  • Cupcake liners
  • Cupcake pan

Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • 3 cups unsalted sweet cream butter softened
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 5-7 tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring
  • 1 package Wilton Unicorn Icing Decorations found at Walmart and Michaels
  • Medium ice cream scoop
  • Large piping bag
  • Mini angled spatula

Instructions

Patriotic Sprinkle Mix

  • Pour all three sprinkle mixes into a large bowl.
  • Stir together until evenly combined.
  • Set aside until ready to decorate.

Vanilla Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, softened butter, and milk.
  • Mix until smooth and fully combined.
  • Fold in 1 cup of the Patriotic Sprinkle Mix.
  • Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full.
  • Bake for approximately 21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • In a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract.
  • Beat on medium speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth.
  • Remove 1½ cups of frosting and divide it evenly between two small bowls.
  • Tint one bowl red and the other blue using gel food coloring.
  • Using an ice cream scoop, place a generous scoop of white frosting onto each cupcake.
  • With a mini angled spatula, gently smooth the frosting into a thick dome.
  • Dip the frosted cupcake into the Patriotic Sprinkle Mix until fully coated.
  • Spoon the red frosting down one side of a piping bag.
  • Spoon the blue frosting down the opposite side of the piping bag.
  • Pipe a colorful swirl onto the center of each cupcake.
  • Finish by placing the Wilton Unicorn Horn and Ears decorations into the frosting for a fun, festive topper.

    • Tips for the Best Patriotic Cupcakes

    Use gel food coloring for bright, vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.Fold the sprinkles into the batter gently to keep the colors from bleeding.Chill the frosted cupcakes for 15–20 minutes before transporting them to parties.Save a little extra sprinkle mix for decorating your serving tray.

    Decorating Ideas

    These cupcakes are easy to customize for your celebration.
    Try adding:
    Mini American flagsRed, white, and blue star sprinklesEdible glitterFirework cupcake toppersWhite chocolate starsFestive cupcake wrappers