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Perfect Stars and Stripes Vanilla Cupcakes Easy Homemade Buttercream Frosting Recipe

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These moist vanilla cupcakes topped with luscious buttercream frosting are perfect for patriotic celebrations like July 4th. The frosting holds a stars and stripes design beautifully, making them festive and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature (can substitute almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla bean paste
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Red and blue gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat ½ cup softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla bean paste.
  5. Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling about ⅔ full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Cool cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid sugar cloud.
  9. Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat on high for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for piping consistency.
  10. Divide frosting into three bowls. Tint one red, one blue, and leave one white using gel food coloring.
  11. Pipe stripes of frosting side by side on each cupcake using star tips, then add small white star dots. Chill briefly if frosting softens.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning the frosting. Chill frosting briefly before piping if it feels too soft. Room temperature ingredients ensure a tender crumb. Do not overmix batter to keep cupcakes soft. Test oven temperature and start checking cupcakes at 18 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla cupcakes, buttercream frosting, patriotic cupcakes, 4th of July dessert, stars and stripes cupcakes, easy cupcakes, summer baking

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/perfect-stars-and-stripes-vanilla-cupcakes-easy-homemade-buttercream-frosting-recipe/