• Using a white cake mix of your choosing, follow the directions to make a cake. However, instead of merely frosting the cupcakes after they’ve cooled, take the time to decorate them differently. Ice each cupcake with Cool Whip and then place cherries and blueberries on the top. Be creative in how you decorate them to make them beautiful and refreshing.


• Make and frost cupcakes as normal with cream cheese frosting. Use blueberries, red fruit leather, and the frosting to create a symbolic flag on top of the cupcakes. Of course, you’ll want to use small blueberries for the stars, the fruit leather for the red stripes, and the frosting as the white stripes. If you’ve never made cream cheese frosting, it’s quite easy. Soften one package of cream cheese (8 ounces) and then blend it with 1/2 stick softened butter or margarine. Next, mix in one teaspoon of vanilla and gradually add one package (16 ounces) of powdered sugar until it is the correct spreading consistency.


• You can also create patriotic decorations on your cupcakes by using red and blue sprinkles on white frosting. Carefully line the edge of the frosted cupcake with blue and then make a red star on top. Other colored candies can also be used for decoration.


• Using food coloring to make the cupcake batter red or blue is another option to consider. Layer the red batter on the bottom, followed by white, and then blue batter. The cupcakes themselves will be patriotic and can be decorated any way you please.

Don't forget to let your children help you decorate the cupcakes. Not only will they have fun, they may surprise you with the patriotic designs they come up with. They’ll also feel proud about helping and can show off their artwork/cupcakes to those who may join you.

Patriotic red, white, and blue cupcakes are sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July picnic or party....enjoy!!

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