This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
It’s a cupcake flag! Celebrate the 4th of July with this adorable and charming American flag cupcake cake! It’s the cutest 4th of July Cake! We used chocolate and vanilla mini cupcakes to create stars and stripes. It’s an easy patriotic dessert that all of your guests will adore and can eat with pride!
For more 4th of July recipes, try my 4th of July rice krispie treats, strawberry angel food cake trifles, and homemade bomb pops!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItFlag Cupcake Cake
For summer, we love easy ideas that are charming and fun to take to a party. These adorable flag cupcakes are arranged to look like the American flag to celebrate any patriotic holiday!
You can switch up the colors to your country’s flag, too. They’re easy enough to make, and you can even use a chocolate and vanilla cake mix to make them easier.
This adorable American flag cupcake cake will have you singing the Star Spangled Banner as you gobble it down! It’s super easy to make and perfect for any patriotic celebration.
We used 48 mini cupcakes to create this patriotic dessert – 12 chocolate cupcakes for the stars and 36 vanilla cupcakes for the stripes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s super simple – You can totally use boxed cake mix (I share my favorites below!) and basic frosting techniques to create something that looks like you spent hours on it.
Everyone goes crazy for it – Trust me, people will be snapping photos before diving in! It’s the perfect centerpiece for your patriotic party.
No cake cutting drama – Since it’s made of cupcakes, guests can just grab and go. No messy cake slicing or plates needed!
Flag Cupcake Cake Ingredients and Supplies
Chocolate Cake Mix – Forms the blue star section of our flag. I recommend using a high-quality mix like King Arthur for the best flavor. You’ll only need about half the box for 12 mini cupcakes.
Vanilla Cake Mix – Creates the white and red striped sections. Again, quality matters here – the Williams Sonoma Vanilla Bean mix mentioned below is amazing if you want to splurge!
Unsalted Butter – The base of our buttercream frosting. Make sure it’s at room temperature for the smoothest frosting. This creates that creamy, pipeable texture we need.
Confectioners Sugar – Also known as powdered sugar, this sweetens the frosting and gives it structure. Always sift it for the smoothest results.
Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor to the buttercream. Pure vanilla extract (not imitation) makes a noticeable difference in taste.
Whole Milk – Helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency. You can adjust the amount if your frosting is too thick or thin.
Red and Blue Food Dye – If you want 100% natural dye, try these. Although they won’t be as vibrant as other food coloring, they will give a soft pastel color to the cupcakes.
Mini White Star Sprinkles – These mini stars add the perfect finishing touch to the blue section of our flag. They’re a small detail that makes a big impact!
Supplies
- Large Flat Rectangle Platter – Similar to the marble tray we used.
- Mini Cupcake Tin
- Mini Cupcake Liners
- 3 Piping Bag
- Couplers
- Star Piping Tip
- Mixing Bowls for Colored Frosting
How to Make a Flag Cupcake Cake
Bake the Cupcakes – Bake chocolate and vanilla mini cupcakes according to the box instructions. You’ll need 12 chocolate (for stars) and 36 vanilla (for stripes).
Arrange the Base – Line up the unfrosted cupcakes on a flat rectangular platter. Place the 12 chocolate cupcakes in a square at the top left, then line the vanilla cupcakes on the side and below.
Make the Frosting – In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on high. Add vanilla, milk, and salt and continue to beat until light and fluffy.
Color the Frosting – Divide the frosting into 3 separate bowls. Add blue food coloring to one and red to the other. Keep one white.
Prepare Piping Bags – Set up 3 piping bags with couplers and star tips. Add each color to its own piping bag.
Frost the Cupcakes – Pipe blue frosting on the chocolate cupcakes (the star section), and alternate red and white frosting on the vanilla cupcakes to create stripes.
Add Star Sprinkles – Sprinkle white stars onto the blue frosted cupcakes to complete the flag design.
Storage
Room Temperature
The flag cupcake cake is best served the same day it’s made for the freshest taste and appearance. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days in a cool area away from direct sunlight.
Refrigerate
If you need to make this in advance, you can store the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Freeze
Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting and arranging into the flag design.
Eden’s Tips
Color Intensity: For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid for more intense shades
Frosting Preparation: Make sure your buttercream is the right consistency – not too stiff or too runny
Time-Saving Option: Bake the cupcakes a day ahead and frost them the day of your event
Piping Technique: Use a consistent piping technique for all cupcakes to maintain a uniform look
Star Sprinkles Hack: It was hard to find white star sprinkles, so I bought a sprinkle mix and then took out the white stars. We also found these on Etsy, which would work too!
Transportation: If transporting the flag cake, bring the frosted cupcakes separately and arrange them at your destination
The Best Box Cake Mix
If you’re going to use a boxed cake, use a good quality one because it makes a HUGE difference in taste! These ones below actually taste homemade, so it’s nice to have a few on hand.
King Arthur Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake – It’s SO good and it’s gluten-free!!
King Arthur Yellow Cake Mix – Find this at Whole Foods.
Williams Sonoma Chocolate Bundt Cake – You can make this in a rectangle pan too.
Williams Sonoma Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake – Also can be made in a rectangular pan too. Just change the bake time.
More Patriotic Desserts
Momofuku Milk Bar 4th of July Cake
Strawberry Angel Food Cake Trifle
Please let us know if you make these by leaving a comment and review below! Also, tag us on social @sugarandcharm. We love to see what you all make!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts and parties!
My new Entertaining book is here! Order Now!
American Flag Cupcake Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners sugar powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Food Coloring
- 5 drops red food coloring more if needed for desired color
- 5 drops blue food coloring more if needed for desired color
Instructions
- Bake the cupcakes according to the box instructions in a mini cupcake tin with mini cupcake liners.
- Let the cupcakes cool to room temperature while you make the buttercream frosting.
- In an electric mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on high.
- Add in vanilla, milk, and salt and continue to beat until light and fluffy.
- Divide the frosting into 3 separate bowls.
- Add blue food coloring to one and red to the other. Keep one white.
- Prepare 3 piping bags, fitted with couplers. Add each color to the individual piping bags.
- You will be able to switch out the star tip if using couplers.
- Pipe 12 blue mini cakes, 18 red, and 18 white cupcakes.
- Place 12 blue cupcakes in a square in the corner of a rectangular platter. Then add a row of red, row of white and continue that pattern.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
