Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners — white or red-and-blue themed liners make the finished cupcakes pop.

2. 2

   Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture looks pale and fluffy — noticeably lighter in color than when you started.

4. 4

   Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing until each is just incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix briefly.

5. 5

   Add about a third of the flour mixture and stir on low speed until barely combined. Pour in half the milk, stir, then repeat — ending with the last third of flour. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks remain.

6. 6

   Divide the batter evenly among the lined cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the tops spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

7. 7

   Beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low after each addition. Add the cream and vanilla, then beat on medium-high for another 2 minutes until the frosting is light and holds stiff peaks.

8. 8

   Divide the frosting evenly into three bowls. Leave one white. Tint one red and one blue using gel food coloring — start with a small amount and add more until you reach a bold, saturated shade.

9. 9

   Fit a piping bag with a large open star tip (like a Wilton 1M). Spoon the red frosting along one side of the bag, the white down the middle, and the blue along the other side. Pipe a firm swirl on each cupcake starting from the outside edge and working inward. Add sprinkles or flag picks while the frosting is still soft.

Used in this recipe: 12-Cup Muffin Pan · Electric Hand Mixer · Piping Bags and Tips (Amazon, affiliate links)