Patriotic Cupcakes are the perfect addition to any 4th of July Foods menu to help you celebrate summer.
These fun red, white and blue cupcakes are made with a homemade red velvet cake recipe and are sure to be hit for any entertaining or family party.
This recipe uses a homemade red velvet cake recipe unlike my Red Velvet 4th of July Cake that starts our with a cake mix. You could use a cake mix as well for this recipe if you prefer.
These cupcakes are red, white and blue and the perfect way to show your love for our country. The cake part of the cupcakes is red. While the frosting is white and the fun cupcake liner is blue. All the colors of our flag in one cute little dessert.
If you love patriotic desserts, you're going to really love my Flag Fruit Pizza made with a Sugar Cookie Crust that is really popular on the site. Or my newest Patriotic Cupcake Cake recipe!
Table of Contents
- Homemade Red Velvet Cake Cupcakes
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Step-by-Step Directions
- 1️⃣Prepare the Cupcake Batter
- 2️⃣Baking Instructions
- How do you know when cupcakes are done?
- Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting
- ➡️Helpful Tips for Frosting Cupcakes
- Before You Begin!
- More Delicious Patriotic Recipes and Ideas:
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Homemade Red Velvet Cake Cupcakes
This is a homemade red velvet cake and homemade cream cheese frosting recipe. But you can definitely substitute a red velvet cake mix with cream cheese canned frosting. Hey, I get it...we're all busy, so no stressing out over baking something yummy from scratch.
Adding red food coloring to the batter really gives you a deep red colored cake. Be careful you don't get any food coloring on your clothing!
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Main Ingredients Needed
This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.
Ingredients for the Cupcakes:
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cocoa powder
- Vegetable oil
- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Red food coloring
- White vinegar
- Vanilla extract
Ingredients for the Frosting:
- Cream cheese; softened
- Butter; softened
- Vanilla
- Powdered sugar
Step-by-Step Directions
1️⃣Prepare the Cupcake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a separate bowl, mix together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well until combined.
- Add the batter to the cupcake liners using a cookie scoop. Fill the cupcake liners ⅔ full.
📌Baking Tip: I always spray my cupcake liners with non-stick cooking spray before adding the batter. That way the cupcake comes out clean! It really does work!
2️⃣Baking Instructions
- Bake the cupcakes in a preheated 350 degree oven for 18-20 minutes.
How do you know when cupcakes are done?
There are two ways you can tell when a cupcake is done. The first is by inserting a toothpick into the center of one of the cupcakes.
If the toothpick comes out dry, the cupcake is done. If the toothpick comes out with a little of cake batter or is wet, you need to continue baking for a few more minutes.
The second way is to gently touch the top of one of the cupcakes. If it springs back, you know the cupcakes are baked completely.
Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting
Allow the cupcakes to cool while you prepare the Easy Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting.
In a large bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar until all the ingredients are combined and the frosting is formed.
➡️Helpful Tips for Frosting Cupcakes
- Use a piping tool - disposable pastry bags work just as well.
- Make sure the frosting is room temperature before starting.
- Once your done, place the cupcakes inside another cupcake liner so they look really professional.
Add the sprinkles and your cupcakes are ready to be placed on a serving platter for your family and friends! How pretty and patriotic do these cupcakes look?
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
More Delicious Patriotic Recipes and Ideas:
- No Bake Mason Jar Desserts are so easy to make and take with you to a family celebration.
- These Berry Trifle Dessert with Angel Food Cake only have FIVE WEIGHT WATCHER Points!
- Flag Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza will help you make a statement at your celebration this year!
- Try my Red, White and Blue Cupcakes!
📖 Recipe Card
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Patriotic Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- ½ cup butter
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- For the Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In a separate bowl, mix together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well until combined.
- Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl mix together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
- Slowly mix in powdered sugar until ingredients are combined and frosting is formed.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Add the frosting to your cake decorator or piping bag with an icing tip, and frost the cupcakes.
- Finish with patriotic red, white, and blue star sprinkles
Nutrition
Nutritional estimates are provided using an online calculator and is an estimate per serving. Calorie accuracy isn't guaranteed.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Jenny says
Cute Cupcakes! They look scrumptious. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. Hope to see you at the party next week!