Fourth of July Cupcake Recipe

As the Fourth of July approaches, it’s time to plan your patriotic party menu, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious chocolate cupcakes adorned with Lux Life Stars and Stripes Sprinkles? These cupcakes combine rich chocolate flavor with festive red, white, and blue decorations, making them a perfect treat for your Independence Day festivities.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water

For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Red and blue food coloring

For Decoration:
- Lux Life Stars and Stripes Sprinkles

- Mini American flags (optional)

Instructions

Making the Cupcakes:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth. The batter will be thin.
5. Add boiling water: Stir in the boiling water until well combined. The batter will be very thin, but that’s okay.
6. Fill the cupcake liners: Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake: Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Buttercream Frosting:
1. Beat the butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined.
3. Add vanilla and cream: Beat in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. If the frosting is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of cream.
4. Divide and color: Divide the frosting into three bowls. Leave one bowl plain for the white frosting. Add red food coloring to the second bowl and blue food coloring to the third bowl, mixing each until you achieve your desired shade.

Decorating the Cupcakes:
1. Prepare the piping bags: Fit three piping bags with star tips. Fill one bag with red frosting, one with white frosting, and one with blue frosting.
2. Pipe the frosting: Pipe swirls of frosting onto each cooled cupcake, alternating the colors to create a patriotic effect.
3. Add Lux Life Stars and Stripes Sprinkles: Generously decorate the frosted cupcakes with Lux Life Stars and Stripes Sprinkles for a festive look.
4. Top with flags: If desired, place a mini American flag on each cupcake for an extra patriotic touch.

Tips for Perfect Cupcakes

- Quality ingredients: Use high-quality cocoa powder and butter to ensure your cupcakes are rich and flavorful.
- Room temperature ingredients Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature before starting. This helps in achieving a smooth and consistent batter and frosting.
- Don't overfill: When filling the cupcake liners, don’t overfill them. Aim for about two-thirds full to prevent overflowing.
- Cooling is crucial: Let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.

These Fourth of July chocolate cupcakes with Lux Life Stars and Stripes Sprinkles are the perfect way to add a touch of luxury and patriotism to your celebrations. The rich chocolate cupcakes paired with the vibrant, festive frosting and sprinkles will surely impress your guests and make your holiday gathering unforgettable. Enjoy your Independence Day with these delightful and decadent treats!