July Tie Dye Cupcakes (Printable)
Colorful vanilla cupcakes with red, white, and blue swirls.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ tsp baking powder
03 - ¼ tsp salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
08 - ½ cup whole milk
→ Coloring
09 - Red gel food coloring
10 - Blue gel food coloring
→ Buttercream Frosting
11 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 3 cups powdered sugar
13 - 2 tbsp whole milk
14 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - Red and blue gel food coloring
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.
04 - Add half the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, then milk, then the remaining dry ingredients; mix just until combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint one portion red, one blue, and leave one portion plain.
06 - Using a spoon, layer each color batter into liners in a random or swirled pattern for a tie dye effect.
07 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy. Divide into three bowls; tint one red, one blue, and leave one white.
09 - Fill a piping bag with all three colors side-by-side to create a swirl. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.
10 - Optionally, decorate with festive sprinkles.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The colors create a wow factor that makes everyone smile before they even take a bite.
- The vanilla cake is incredibly moist and pairs perfectly with the creamy buttercream.
02 -
- Gel coloring is non-negotiable for vibrant hues that do not alter the batter consistency.
- Wait for the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting, or the swirls will melt into a puddle.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend together better and prevent a curdled batter.
- A star tip creates the most festive and professional-looking swirl on top.