How about some yummy desserts to celebrate the spirit of patriotism on the Fourth of July!! The cupcakes and cookies being my all time favorites, I would like to share the recipes for some of them. I am sure it would be a big hit amongst your friends and family.

Patriotic Cupcakes

Makes 12
Active: 25 min
Bake: About 25 min
Decorate: Depends on skill
Planning Tip: May be made up to 1 day ahead. Store airtight in a cool place or refrigerate.

INGREDIENTS:

CUPCAKES
1 stick (½ cup) butter
or margarine (not spread), softened
¾ cup sugar
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 large eggs
½ cup 1% lowfat milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tub (12 oz) whipped vanilla frosting
Red, white and blue coarse (crystal) sugar
Red and blue gel or paste food colors
You also need: 2 disposable plastic decorating bags, each fitted with a #16 star piping tip

PREPARATION:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 12 regular size (21/2-in.-diam) muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Beat butter, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl with mixer on high speed 1 minute or until well blended. Add eggs; beat 2 minutes or until fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in milk and vanilla (batter may look curdled). Beat in flour just until blended. Spoon into lined cups.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes before removing from pan to rack to cool completely.
4. To decorate: Spread 1 cup frosting on cupcakes. Place each color sugar on a separate small plate. Lightly press edge of cupcakes in sugar to coat. Divide remaining frosting between 2 small bowls or cups. Color frosting in 1 bowl red, the other blue. Spoon each into a decorating bag. Pipe frostings on cupcakes as shown (see large photo, page 120) or decorate as desired.

Labels: cookies, Cupcakes, Desserts, fourth of july, stars and stripes