Sparkler Cupcakes for 4th of July
4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! Next to Christmas, you will probably find more 4th of July treats and crafts than other holidays. Parades…Cookouts…Fun food…Fireworks…and oh yes…Cupcakes! Sparkler Cupcakes to be exact!
Happy Cupcake Tuesday! I’m so excited you are here! Looking for a cupcake recipe? Be sure to check out the Cupcake Heaven page, there are over 300 cupcake recipes and decorating ideas!
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:
- 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
- Fit a Decorator Bag with a #4 Tip and fill with melted candy
- Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper
- 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. Wilton sells some similar on Amazon.
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 4th of July
Fun cupcakes to celebrate Fourth of July. Recipe from HoosierHomemade.com. Adapted from Better Homes & Gardens
Ingredients
- 1 box Duncan Hines Classic White
- 1 cup buttermilk {splash of vinegar in a measuring cup and fill with milk, let set a couple minutes}
- 1/3 cup oil
- 4 eggs
- Sprinkles - red, white & blue Jimmies, a couple handfuls
- Frosting or Decorator Icing
- Sprinkles for top
Sparklers
- 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
Cupcakes
- In a large bowl, mix cake and fold in sprinkles, divide into cupcake liners and bake about 15 minutes
Frosting
- Fit a Decorator Bag with a #1M tip {or tip of your choice}
- Pipe on frosting and add sprinkles
Sparklers
- 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
- Fit a Decorator Bag with a #4 Tip and fill with melted candy
- Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper
- Pipe on zigzags and squiggly pieces {make them long, it’s easier to break them the size you need}
Notes
You can use any cupcake liners you want. The paper cups are fun though.br]You can find them [here.
- Baking cups
- You can also use regular cupcake liners
- Wilton candy melts in red, white and blue
- Candy coloring to make the blue candy melts darker
- Sprinkles from Wilton
Looking for more 4th. of July Cupcakes? I have LOTS, including Uncle Sam from my book, Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness.
The candy sparklers are wonderful. I looked for candy coloring at my local Hobby Lobby,but then only had cake/frosting coloring. I color white chocolates vs buying pre-colored, BUT…..the blue liquid is more of a turquoise and the red turned out pink. Being cautious about food coloring I hate to add so much red, but guess there’s no choice unless I can find the color additive like you found in that small jar.
I did manage to find a bottle of navy coloring which was perfect. Will go back and see if that brand also comes in a deep red.
This is weird – see I misspelled “they” in first line, but it won’t let me go back and make the change. I’d have to erase the entire paragraph. Worth looking into.
Tavette – S. Fla.
Hi Tavette, you might also try Walmart, Michael’s or JoAnn Fabrics, they also carry the Wilton brand.
When you buy red, just be sure it’s NO TASTE red, or it will be bitter.
Happy Baking!
-Liz
Oh my gosh, so stinking cute! So easy but look so difficult! Thanks for linking up with Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!
how creative with the sparklers! My daughter would love them! #HomeMattersParty
This is just what’s needed for the upcomng holiday weekend. Sounds so delicious.
What does the buttermilk do to enhance the recipe? I know that is not a standard ingredient for a box mix. I know they will taste great regardless, but just curious.
Love the chocolate “sparklers!”.
Hi Charity, the buttermilk gives the batter a richer flavor, in my opinion.
Happy Baking!
~Liz
Those cupcakes are delicious and cute! You have a unique style and decorations into the cupcake. Love it!
The cupcakes are so cute! Thanks for the ideas.
Are the nut cups the size of regular cupcakes or mini cupcakes?
Yes they are regular size, you fill them the same amount as a standard cupcake liner.
Love those bake cups and decorations! Wonder if I can have the cups/cases shipped to the UK!