Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, add the cake mix to a bowl with the water, egg whites, oil and mayonnaise. Beat on medium speed until well incorporated.
Divide the batter evenly between three separate bowls.
Add the red food coloring to one bowl.
Then add the blue food coloring to another bowl.
Keep one bowl white.
Add a layer of blue batter to the muffin tin.
Then add the white batter and finally the red batter.
Each muffin tin should be about ⅔ way full.
Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow the cupcakes to cool slightly before removing and placing them on a wire rack to cool completely before adding the homemade frosting.
Prepare the Frosting
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter for about 2 minutes or until it's light and fluffy.
Add in the vanilla extract and the lemonade flavoring.
Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and the half and half.
Continue to mix until stiff peaks form.
Divide the frosting into 3 bowls.
Add the blue food coloring to one bowl and the red to another; again being careful to only add one drop at a time as the gel food coloring is strong.
Decorate the Cupcakes
Insert a large piping bag into a large glass.
Fold the end of a large piping bag over a large glass's edge. Apply a stripe of red frosting to one side and another across from it with a frosting spreader. Continue with the blue icing.
Place the piping bag in a large glass.
Fold the end of the piping bag over the edge of the glass.
Using a small spatula, spread a stripe of red frosting on one side and then another stripe across from it. Do the same with the blue frosting. This will create the stripe effect that makes these cupcakes so special.
Finally fill the bag with the white frosting.
Before you use the frosting, squeeze a little out to test it and make sure all three colors come out of the piping bag.
Proceed to frost the cupcakes in a swirl motion.
Finally add the patriotic sprinkles on top.
Notes
When adding the Lemonade Flavoring and the Blue Raspberry Flavoring, start with just 1-2 drops and increase gradually, as this flavoring is strong.