Easy Cupcakes

The U.S. presidential race is heating up, but you can cool tempers with a nice batch of cupcakes urging people to get out and vote. Also suitable for class elections, local primaries and so on. Remember, everyone loves cupcakes–they’re nonpartisan.

What You Need: 1 cupcake; white icing; red gel writing icing; premade American flag cake decoration (such as by Cake Mate or Wilton).

How to Make It: Frost cupcake. Use writing gel to write “VOTE” in red. Or, write a candidate’s name. (You could also use writing icing in a tube or pastry bag). Add flag decoration.

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!