Last Updated on December 28, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh

There’s nothing like a festive treat to add a little extra cheer to your 4th of July celebration. These patriotic cupcakes are the perfect way to show off your love for the U.S.A. With a vibrant red, white, and blue marble cake and a swirl of creamy frosting on top, these cupcakes are not only delicious but visually stunning.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need For These Patriotic Cupcakes

These Red, White, and Blue cupcakes are easier to make than you think. I always assumed fancy frosting details require a lot of effort, but they don’t. The disposable piping bags and the star frosting tip are a huge help. It’s a baker’s trick that helps create a beautiful finished look. You’ll also need to have scissors and plastic wrap close by.

How To Make Your Cupcakes Ahead of Time

Preparing cupcakes in advance can help alleviate stress on the big day, leaving you with more time to focus on the fun and festivities. Here are some expert tips for making cupcakes ahead of time, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious until it’s time to serve:

1. Bake and Store the Cupcakes (Without Frosting)

Bake the cupcakes up to 2 days in advance and let them cool completely.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh. Be sure not to frost them yet, as the frosting can become soggy or lose its texture.

For longer storage, freeze them: Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a ziplock bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, let them thaw at room temperature.

2. Prepare the Frosting Ahead of Time

Make frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Keep it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before frosting the cupcakes.

4th of July Patriotic Cupcakes Ingredients:

• Butter: unsalted or salted sweet cream works
• Eggs: size large
• Granulated Sugar
• All-Purpose Flour
• Vanilla Extract
• Baking Powder
• Whole Milk
• Red & Blue Gel Food Coloring: Wilton Food Gel Colors are great
• Powdered Sugar
• Kitchen Tools: Piping Bags, Cupcake Liners, Star Frosting Tip, Freezer Bags, Plastic Wrap & Kitchen Scissors

How To Make These Patriotic Cupcakes

To Make The Cupcakes: Divide the cupcake batter into 3 separate bowls. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one bowl and a few drops of blue food coloring to another bowl, mixing well.

Scoop about 1 1/2 tbsp. of each colored batter into the cupcake liners in the following order: red, white, and blue. You don’t want to overfill the cupcake liners. Bake 18-20 minutes.

Prep The Frosting: Once the cupcakes have cooled, combine the powdered sugar, 1/3 cup of softened butter, vanilla extract, and milk in a medium bowl. Once the frosting has reached your desired consistency, divide it into 3 small dishes.

Add 1 drop of red gel food coloring to one bowl of frosting and stir to combine. Repeat this step with the blue gel food coloring.

Lay out a long piece of plastic wrap on the counter and a large baking sheet (you can always trim). Fill one freezer bag with one color of frosting. Snip the corner using the kitchen scissors and gently squeeze the frosting out in a long line on the plastic wrap. Repeat with the other 2 frosting colors.

Once all the frosting is lined up, gently roll the plastic wrap as shown in the photo. Place in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. Attach the star frosting tip to the disposable piping bag.

Remove the frosting from the fridge. Cut in half if needed (mine was long) and place the open end down into the frosting tip. Gently squeeze the frosting out of the bag and onto the cupcake in a circular motion. Repeat to all of the cupcakes.