Independence Day Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Red, white, and blue food coloring
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
4. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat until just combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
6. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To make the frosting, beat the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Divide the frosting into three bowls, and tint each with a few drops of red, white, and blue food coloring.
8. Frost the cooled cupcakes with the three colors of frosting, then use a toothpick to draw a star pattern on top.

Interesting Facts

• The Fourth of July is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
• The star pattern on the cupcakes is based on the American flag, which was officially adopted in 1777.
• The traditional colors of the flag are red, white, and blue, which are also the colors of the frosting on the cupcakes.