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Perfect Firework Cupcakes Recipe with Easy Sparkler Buttercream Frosting

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Festive and fun cupcakes inspired by fireworks, featuring a fluffy, colorful buttercream frosting that is easy to pipe and perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (180ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative)
  • Red and blue food coloring gel
  • Edible silver or white glitter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until combined.
  6. Spoon batter evenly into liners, filling about ⅔ full (makes 12 cupcakes).
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  8. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  10. Divide frosting into three bowls. Tint one with red gel, one with blue gel, and leave one plain white.
  11. Spoon stripes of each color side-by-side into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe swirls onto cooled cupcakes.
  12. Optionally, sprinkle edible glitter on top for a sparkler effect.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Gel food coloring is preferred for vibrant frosting without thinning. If frosting is too stiff, add more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Store cupcakes in airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: firework cupcakes, buttercream frosting, 4th of July dessert, festive cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe, colorful frosting, party cupcakes

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/perfect-firework-cupcakes-recipe-with-easy-sparkler-buttercream-frosting/