4th July American Flag Cupcakes

Learn how to make easy American flag cupcakes using boxed mix and simple piping tips. Great for Independence Day, parties, picnics, and kid-friendly baking fun!

4th July Flag Cupcakes.

If you want to bring something to the July 4th cookout that looks like it took hours but really didn’t try these ridiculously cute flag cupcakes! You start with boxed cake mix, whip up a simple buttercream and use some red, white, and blue food coloring to create mini flags right on top.

I’ve been making holiday themed treats for years, but I've got to say these blue cupcakes with red stripes and white buttercream stars might just be the best part of any summer celebration. Not only are they adorable, they’re super simple to make and don’t require anything fancy you can’t grab at your local grocery store.

Fourth of July Cupcakes.

These American flag cupcakes check all the boxes. Cute, quick, and crowd-pleasing!

They're super simple thanks to a little shortcut with a boxed cake mix (hello, time-saver!), and they look seriously impressive on a party table. I made a batch for last year's backyard BBQ and they were gone before the burgers even hit the grill.

Whether you’re hosting the neighborhood BBQ or heading to a picnic, these cupcakes are the easy dessert that delivers a big impact with minimal effort. Perfect for a patriotic party, they’re sure to impress your party guests.

Once you try them, they’ll be a must-bake for every July 4th celebration.

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, typically water, oil, and eggs)

• 1 cup unsalted butter, near room temperature

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• Red gel food coloring

• Blue gel food coloring

• White star sprinkles (optional)

Tools:

• Piping bags

• Wilton frosting tips:

  • #32 for stripes

  • #13 for stars

Instructions

Bake the Cupcakes:

1. Prepare your box of cake mix according to package instructions.

2. Bake and let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Make the Buttercream Frosting:

1. Beat butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Add vanilla extract.

3. Gradually add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time), mixing until fully incorporated and fluffy.

Prepare Frosting Colors:

1. Set aside 1/4 cup of white frosting. Place in a piping bag with tip #13.

2. Add 3/4 cup of frosting with blue gel coloring. Mix well and place in a piping bag with tip #32.

3. Divide remaining frosting in half:

   1. Leave one half white and place in a piping bag with tip #32.

   2. Tint the other half red and place in a separate piping bag with tip #32.

Decorate the Cupcakes:

1. Use blue frosting to cover about 1/4 of each cupcake (upper left corner) for the flag's blue section.

2. Use white frosting with tip #13 to pipe small stars onto the blue section or use mini white star sprinkles.

3. Use red and white frosting to pipe alternating stripes across the rest of the cupcake to complete your flag design.

Tip: Use small dabs of frosting to outline the stripe pattern before filling them in.

Once decorated, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When you’re ready to serve, pull them out about 20–30 minutes in advance so the buttercream has time to soften.

Feel free to use your favorite chocolate cake mix or switch things up with vanilla cupcake mix or even red velvet for a fun twist.

If you're looking for more sweet treats to round out your party try whipping up Easy 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats or some of these 4th of July Firecracker Pretzel Sticks.

These no-fuss recipes are perfect for kids to help with and make great additions to dessert tables, snack platters or grab-and-go party bags!

📌 Save this recipe card or pin it for later - and let me know in the comments if you try them! I’d love to see how yours turn out!