Easy Cupcakes

The famous “1M swirl” combined with virtually any red, white, and/or blue sprinkles, sugars, or other decorations are sure to be a big hit on Fourth or July or at any patriotic events. This cupcake features both red and blue sugar and is topped with a large Wilton sprinkle star.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white or off-white frosting; red sugar; blue sugar; large red Wilton star sprinkle; 1M metal tip; pastry bag.

How to Make It: Place 1M metal tip inside pastry bag (if you’re using a disposable plastic bag, just cut to fit). Fill bag halfway full with icing. Squeeze steadily, from the outside of the cupcake inward, to cover the top of the cupcake with a swirl of icing. Then, either continue the motion while moving slightly inward or start a new swirl on top of the first one. Finish with a peak by stopping the squeeze. Sprinkle with colored sugars and top with star.

Fit 1M metal tip to disposable pastry bag (the 1M tip is larger than standard size; a disposable bag means you won’t have to cut so far into a cloth bag). Fill pastry bag halfway with white icing (we used canned icing, but homemade may make for more appealing, stiffer swirls). While squeezing out icing, move arm in a circular motion and cover the top of the cupcake with a swirl of icing. Then, starting a little bit in from the edge this time, make a second swirl on top of the first one. Immediately add candy stars (we used Wilton brand).

If you’re able to find these patriotic-themed conversation hearts by Necco, you can make the perfect cupcakes for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, military events and other occasions. They are sold under the Sweethearts label and called “Red, White & You.” They have sayings such as: USO, Thank You, Miss You and Home Safe. If you can’t find them (they’re also available at the Necco store, you can substitute red and blue hearts of any kind.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white frosting; 3 red and blue conversation hearts.

How to Make It: Frost cupcake. position hearts on top.

For any summer party, including Fourth of July festivities, consider these easy, somewhat abstract watermelon cupcakes. The “seeds” are chocolate sprinkles!

What You Need: 1 cupcake; green cupcake liner; frosting tinted green; white frosting; red sugar sprinkles; chocolate sprinkles.

How to Make It: Frost cupcake green. Drop and spread a dollop of white frosting to about half an inch from the edge. Sprinkle with red sugar, almost to edge of white. Add chocolate sprinkles for watermelon seeds.

With a 1M swirl tip and star sprinkles, you can make a simple yet pretty cupcake for the Fourth of July! With this technique, it’s easy to make a lot of cupcakes quickly.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white icing (if you like this look – shorter and softer – using canned Fluffy style icing and room temperature); star sprinkles; 1M swirl metal tip and pastry bag.

How to Make It: With 1M tip, apply icing in a circular motion, working inward and upward. Sprinkle with stars.

Little paper flags instantly turn any red, white and blue cupcake into an Independence Day celebration.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white frosting (I used “fluffy” by Pillsbury); red sugar; blue star sprinkles; paper American flag.

How to Make It: Frost cupcake generously. Sprinkle with red sugar and blue stars. Add American flag.

Want to make cupcakes for Fourth of July, Election Day or the Barack Obama or John McCain running mate announcement? Keep it simple with these quick cupcakes.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white frosting; blue fine sugar; red coarse sugar; red star-shaped confetti; red hot cinnamon imperials candies. (Vary as desired, based on what you have on hand.)

How to Make It: Frost cupcake. Sprinkle with blue sugar and then a little red sugar. Add star to center and red hots around the perimeter.

Whether you’re gearing up for the presidential election, celebrating the Fourth of July or just feeling patriotic, these cupcakes are quick and easy, with no pastry bags or “piping” necessary.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white frosting; large blue star sprinkles (Wilton makes some); thin red licorice strings; kitchen shears, scissors or knife.

How to Make It: Frost cupcake. Cut licorice as shown and arrange in stripes. Add 3 or more star sprinkles. That’s it!