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July 1, 2012

Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes



With Fourth of July being this Wednesday, I wanted to kick off the celebration with a fun Fourth of July recipe. If you’re still looking for menu ideas, I made some Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes, which are festive vanilla cupcakes topped with pop rocks and striped vanilla buttercream frosting.



The original plan was to have a striped cupcake: red on top, white in the middle, and blue on bottom. As you can see, they didn’t come out that way. What baffles me is I did this technique before with my Halloween Candy Corn Cupcakes. Same recipe, same technique, different results. The only theory I have is I didn’t use real buttermilk, just the milk + vinegar substitution. I wonder if this is a case where using buttermilk is a must so the batter doesn’t run together.



I was actually debating on even posting these Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes. I found the coloring to be too muddled. Well if anything, you can see how cool my frosting is. I got the idea from Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet when she posted her Red, White, and Blue Meringues. What you do is you take the red and streak one side of your piping bag. Take the blue and streak the opposite side of your piping bag. Fill it with the white buttercream, and the frosting comes out striped when you pipe it. Pretty cool, huh? Imagine all of the color possibilities!



Speaking about color, it is very critical you use food coloring gels instead of liquid food coloring most people use. In order to get the right shades of red and blue, you would need to add a good bit of the liquid coloring. This unfortunately changes the consistency and makes the batter runny. By using the gels, you can get the color you want with minimal coloring added plus the consistency stays the same.



So why are they called Firecracker Cupcakes? Because I added pop rocks for a bit of pop! Except pop rocks scare me. If you’ve never had them before, they are tiny bits of candy that have some kind of reaction when they are in your mouth and start crackling and popping in your mouth. They are harmless and supposed to be fun but they still scare me. I think I even dropped some on the floor because I felt popping when I was walking haha



I did some research on baking with pop rocks. A lot of people said if you baked the candy in the actual batter, they lose their popping-ness. Originally, I was going to cut a hole in the baked cupcakes and drop some in, but the cake was too sticky to cut. What I ended up doing was sprinkle of bunch on top in the middle then piped the buttercream on top. For final touches, I sprinkled on more pop rocks on top. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy the candy, leave them off.


 

Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes

Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cupcakes

Yield: 12

It is important to use food coloring gels and not liquid food coloring for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • Cupcakes:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • Pinch salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • Red and blue food gels
  • 1 package (0.66 ounce) Pop Rocks
  • Frosting:
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Red and blue food gels

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line cupcake pan with paper liners.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until well combined. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almond extract. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk, making three additions of flour and two of buttermilk, beating until smooth.
  4. Divide the batter into 3 parts, roughly 2/3 cup each part. Leave one untouched. For the second bowl, mix in red coloring. For the third bowl, mix in blue coloring. Layer the batter into each cup, starting with the blue, then white, then red.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove from the pan to cool completely.
  6. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together sugar, butter and salt until creamy. Increase the speed to high and beat until creamy, 3-5 minutes. Add vanilla and beat for another minute.
  7. To assemble: On one side on the inside of your piping bag, brush a streak of red coloring. On the other side on the inside of your bag, brush a streak of blue coloring. Scoop in all of the buttercream. Sprinkle pop rocks on top of each cupcake then pipe buttercream on top. Garnish with remaining pop rocks.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Carla Cardello

Source: Adapted from 125 Best Cupcake Recipes by Julie Hasson

Filed Under: Cupcakes, Frosting + Icing Tagged With: 4th of July/Picnic, almond extract, buttermilk, egg whites, red white and blue, summer

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says

    July 1, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    They look so festive! Great idea coloring the piping bag. I need to make a two color cake next week and since I don´t have buttermilk (because it doesn´t exist here) I always use milk and lemon juice. I hope it works. I love the pop rocks, didn´t know they still existed! Perfect party cupcakes! Have a great week

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 11:41 AM

      I hope you have better luck than I did! It’s just a theory, but since the method worked before and the difference was the buttermilk, that’s all I can think of. I’ll have to try it again. And yes, I found Pop Rocks pretty easily, which is unusual for this small town! Thanks Paula :)

      Reply
  2. Renee says

    July 1, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    Perfect cupcakes for the 4th! I can see they would be a giant hit with the kids. Excellent recipe.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 11:43 AM

      Yes, they would be a hit for kids! Thanks Renee

      Reply
  3. Cindys Recipes says

    July 1, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Carla, I love the colors mixed together! It makes a great backdrop for your beautiful topping!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 11:43 AM

      Thanks Cindy :)

      Reply
  4. Susan says

    July 1, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    I’m glad you put this up, they look great! I also adore that little cupcake stand you have in the first photo.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 11:45 AM

      It was a tough decision, but since I already committed to the idea, I went forth anyway. Thanks Susan!

      Reply
  5. Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says

    July 1, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    I think they cupcakes look cool with the swirls of red, white, and blue! And pop rocks make me a little jumpy too, but it’s worth it for a fun July 4th treat. I would think that the popping in your mouth is toned down a bit by the cake and icing. Maybe I should make a batch and see for myself!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 11:47 AM

      It’s hard to say because I didn’t eat them until about half hour after I decorated them (gotta love photo shoots LOL). I can say after I ate one, I still felt the popping in my throat after a few minutes. Thanks Wendy :)

      Reply
  6. Karen Hartzell says

    July 1, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    I love pop rocks! I would be licking them off the cupcake, plate and everywhere I could find them! Your pics are awesome!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:08 PM

      You can have all of them then. They scare me LOL Thanks Karen :)

      Reply
  7. Mama F says

    July 1, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    Ugh, these look so amazing! I guess I could break my diet for the holiday…..right? :)

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:09 PM

      I thought holidays were free days for diets ;) Thanks!

      Reply
  8. diabeticFoodie says

    July 1, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    Beautiful! Love the pop rocks idea for the 4th.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:10 PM

      Thanks! :)

      Reply
  9. Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says

    July 1, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    I am VERY glad that you posted these. Aaaaand, I’m making them. Poprocks and all.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:12 PM

      I know this really awesome friend who convinced me that they weren’t as bad as I thought ;) Thanks, for everything!

      Reply
  10. Laura Hunter says

    July 1, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    I know this didn’t turn out the way you wanted but I actually like how it turned out. So colourful. And your icing turned out fabulous. My husband was disappointed when I told him that pop rocks loose their fizz when baked so I would probably sprinkle them on top as well.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:14 PM

      I’m glad I did some research or I would’ve been disappointed! I’m guessing the oven cooks out the chemical reaction or whatever you want to call it. Just put plenty under and on the frosting ;) Thanks!

      Reply
  11. Chelsea says

    July 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    These are so cute and festive for the 4th!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:15 PM

      Thanks Chelsea!

      Reply
  12. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    July 1, 2012 at 4:36 PM

    Pop Rocks are so fun, I used to love them as a kid. What a great cupcake for the 4th!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:16 PM

      Thanks Erin!

      Reply
  13. Alaiyo Kiasi says

    July 1, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    I think my face lit up the moment your page loaded and I saw these super festive and holiday-appropriate cupcakes. This is why I need to learn how to bake a decorate cupcakes! I love, Love, LOVE these. You rock!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:21 PM

      Yes, decorating cupcakes is a must ;) Thanks!

      Reply
  14. Laura @ Family Spice says

    July 1, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    What a fun-looking cupcake! I know what you mean when you do something over and over and then that one time it didn’t quite turn out how it was supposed to! Curse you baking trolls!!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:22 PM

      Silly baking trolls. They need to go away ;) Thanks Laura!

      Reply
  15. Sarah says

    July 1, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    I still love these, especially your frosting job!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 1, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      I’m glad Murray isn’t here because you know just as well as I do that those sparklers would be on the floor, cupcake and all haha Thanks!

      Reply
  16. Soni says

    July 2, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous and love the colorful frosting!!I could have a plateful of these in one go :)

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 2, 2012 at 10:17 PM

      One plate coming up ;) thanks Soni!

      Reply
  17. Patti says

    July 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    How fun! Fabulous presentation! Who wouldn’t want to see these on the 4th!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      July 2, 2012 at 10:18 PM

      They’re crazy if they don’t! Thanks Patti :)

      Reply
  18. Lane @ Supper for a Steal says

    July 3, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    I think the cupcakes turned out great and I love the icing technique. If I even ice cupcakes I will be sure to use it.

    Reply
  19. Erin says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Really love how to topped these

    Reply

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I’m Carla, a 30-some childfree woman from Pittsburgh, PA learning how to adult alone. I'm sharing recipes for two and small batch recipes made from scratch because not everybody cooks for a crowd.

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