Sparkler Cupcakes for Fourth of July

Welcome to Cupcake Tuesday! I’m so excited you are here! Be sure to check out the ALL NEW Cupcake Heaven page! And if you are in need to a special cupcake design, use the “Be a Hero” area!

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! Next to Christmas, you will probably find more Fourth of July treats and crafts than other holidays.

Parades…Cookouts…Fun food…Fireworks…and oh yes…Cupcakes! Sparkler Cupcakes to be exact!

Starting with the batter, I mixed up a box of Duncan Hines Classic White and added the ingredients I always do to make them taste more like they are made from scratch, then in went a couple handfuls of sprinkles…red, white and blue of course. While they were baking, I got to work on the Sparklers.

Candy Sparkler Supplies:

• Wilton candy melts – red, white and blue
• Candy coloring to make the blue darker – this is not gel coloring, it’s special coloring for candy, I found mine at Hobby Lobby
• Decorator bag fitted with a #4 Tip
• Wax paper or parchment paper

Instructions:

1. Working with 1 color at a time, melt a small amount of candy melts in the microwave {I melted about 15 wafers} for about 30 seconds, stir until completely melted
2. Fit a Decorator Bag with a #4 Tip and fill with melted candy
3. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper
4. Pipe on zigzags and squiggly pieces {make them long, it’s easier to break them the size you need}

Now let’s talk about the cupcake liners a bit, since using some similar to this on the Mother’s Day Cupcakes, I had lots of questions. I bought these at Pick Your Plum, it’s a daily deal crafting site. They have fun supplies, but they are only available for a day. Martha Stewart sells some similar on Amazon and I found some on Bake It Pretty.

The cupcake liners are actually called nut cups, and typically used to serve nuts and mints. They are thicker than the normal cupcake liner, and don’t tear off as easily, but bake up just fine.

Sparkler Cupcakes for Fourth of July

Quick Reference:

• Baking cups bought at Pick Your Plum
• Baking cups also found on Amazon and Bake It Pretty
• Wilton candy melts in red, white and blue
• Candy coloring found at Hobby Lobby
• Sprinkles from Wilton

Looking for more Fourth of July Cupcakes? I have LOTS, including Uncle Sam from my book, Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness.

Linking to…Gooseberry Patch

Now it’s your turn…show off your cupcake creations! I’d appreciate a link back and be sure to check out the other cupcakes!

If you are reading this post in email, pop on over to check out all the cupcakes linked up to Cupcake Tuesday!