Patriotic Cupcakes with Rosettes

Do you decorate on the 4th of July? Do you hang cute banners on your porch? I want to be one of those people who have the flag blowing in the wind with the banners lining my porch handrails but, I don’t have a banister.  I want to rejoice in the festivities of Independence Day!! Every year, I long to rummage through box after box of cute decorations and find the perfect spot for them in my living room, kitchen and porch. With summer camp in full swing, I don’t have time. It makes me sad so I have to find new ways to show my patriotic side. This year is going to be different! I am gong to start in the kitchen and whip up some patriotic cupcakes.

Have you ever heard of MyCakeSchool.com? Melissa and her mom show step by step videos on cake decorating. My kids got me a membership for my birthday this year and I learn something new everyday. You have to check it out! The membership is only $30 for the year and you get to watch all kinds of amazing how to videos. If you don’t want to join the classes, she also has a blog and shows how to make thing there also.  She gives me the courage and the skills to make cakes. I saw the video for the Buttercream Ruffles in Shades of Teal Video , knew I had to combine it with this banner.

Melissa and her mom, and this banner made my head spin. Not like the girl from The Exorcist or anything. It was a good spin!! The kind that makes you giggle and people stare at you. Then you stop giggling because you don’t want them to think your head is really going to spin like the girl in the movie! Anyway, I was totally inspired. Don’t you love when people inspire you? I sure do!!

Supplies for Patriotic Cupcakes:

Cupcakes in any flavor you like.
Red, White and Blue Buttercream Icing
White Nonpareils
Pixie Dust or Disco Dust
3 Rose tips #102, or 103
Jumbo White Sugar Pearls for the center of the cupcake
Red Greaseproof Baking Cups

There are a million buttercream icing recipes. You can use any one you like but, if you don’t have one you can click here for Glorious Treats recipe. Click here for Wilton’s Recipe. Click here for My Baking Addiction’s Recipe.

Then, make your red, white and blue icing. I used AmeriColor Royal Blue, Wilton No-Taste Red and AmeriColor White.
Once your icing is mixed, put each color into a piping bag fitted dwith the #102 or #103 tips. Either size will work for this project.

These patriotic cupcakes are great for beginner decorators because the rosettes are very forgiving.

1. Squeeze a small amount of red icing into the center of the cupcake and add a white White Nonpareil to the center while the icing is still wet.
2. With the white piping bag, put the fat end of the tip near the surface of the cupcake. The narrow end should be at the top and it will make a ruffle when you squeeze it.  As I squeezed the piping bag, I held the cupcake in my hand and spun it around as I piped the ruffle. To make the ruffles you can squeeze a little faster than you turn the cupcake. You might want to practice on parchment paper.
3. Repeat with the blue. While the blue is still wet, add the nonpareils to the blue icing only.

Continue adding the rest of the ruffles and sprinkle with Disco or Pixie Dust.