We celebrated our third anniversary with a night out to see Chelsea Handler, and it was one of the best gifts I could imagine. The show was hilarious and we had a wonderful time. The next day we drove up to Connecticut for my partner Artie’s family’s annual Fourth of July gathering. It was the perfect summer celebration: great company, classic cookout fare—hot dogs, cheeseburgers, sausage and peppers, pasta—and warm weather that turned slightly chilly after sundown. A two-year-old niece loudly and lovingly reclaimed her blanket from me, which made the evening even more memorable.
For the holiday I made tri-colored cupcakes to match the Fourth of July spirit. I used a white cake recipe adapted from Bridget at The Way the Cookie Crumbles. The cake turned out tender and flavorful, and the tie-dye effect from the food coloring created a festive surprise inside each cupcake. For a fun finishing touch I used Twizzlers Pull and Peel to make simple flag-like decorations. These cupcakes are an easy way to make a patriotic dessert that looks impressive without a lot of fuss.
Below is the recipe, adapted with clear directions and a few tips to help you get consistent results. The recipe yields 24 cupcakes and can be adjusted to make fewer or more as needed. You can change the frosting to whatever you prefer—vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or a light whipped topping all work well.
Fourth of July Tie Dye Cupcakes
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes per batch
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk, at room temperature
6 large egg whites (about 3/4 cup), at room temperature
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups cake flour (about 9 ounces)
1-1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (about 11.35 ounces)
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened but still cool
Red gel food coloring (no-taste variety recommended)
Blue gel food coloring (no-taste variety recommended)
Adapted from Bridget at The Way the Cookie Crumbles
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line standard muffin tins with cupcake liners.
In a 2-cup measuring cup or small bowl, combine the milk, egg whites, almond extract, and vanilla. Whisk briefly until blended.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt on low speed to combine. Add the butter and beat on low until the mixture looks like moist crumbs with no dry streaks.
Add all but 1/2 cup of the milk mixture and beat at medium speed for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup and beat 30 seconds more. Scrape the bowl, then beat another 20 seconds on medium speed.
Divide the batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one bowl red and one bowl blue with gel food coloring until you reach your desired shades. Leave the third bowl plain for white.
To assemble, add a scoop of each color into each cupcake liner—red, white, and blue in any order. There’s no need to swirl; the colors will ripple and bake together. Fill each liner about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until a thin skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times can vary slightly by oven, so check at 12 minutes if your oven runs hot.
Remove cupcakes from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. Top with your favorite frosting and add decorations like candy stripes, small flags made from Twizzlers Pull and Peel, or sprinkles for a festive look.
Tips and Variations
– Use gel food coloring for vivid colors without thinning the batter. Add color a little at a time until you reach the shade you like.
– If you prefer fewer cupcakes, halve the recipe. Bake time will be similar; watch closely.
– For an extra flavor boost, try a lemon or almond buttercream to complement the delicate white cake.
– Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Thanks for reading—these cupcakes are a fun, colorful way to celebrate the holiday. They travel well to parties and always spark compliments when people cut into the surprising tie-dye interior. Enjoy baking and have a safe, happy Fourth of July!