Firecracker Cupcakes

Wow your guests with these festive Firecracker Cupcakes! Easy to make, delicious, and the perfect patriotic treat for your 4th of July party.

These festive Firecracker Cupcakes are a total blast to make and even better to eat! With decadent chocolate cake, vibrant buttercream, and an adorable marshmallow firecracker on top, they are our absolute go-to recipe for Memorial Day and the 4th of July. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser - we never have leftovers to bring home! I hope you're inspired to whip up a batch for your next backyard bash!

These Firecracker Cupcakes are are easy to make, and are a great patriotic dessert to share with your family or friends at a 4th of July or Memorial Day party. Here's what you'll need:

(Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are found below)

For the chocolate cupcakes:

sugar: white granulated sugar helps the cupcakes to be as sweet as they can be!
all-purpose flour: gives cupcakes that cake-like consistency.
cocoa powder: a good quality dutch cocoa is going to give you a more rich and decadent chocolate cupcake
baking powder: this helps the cupcakes to rise while baking. Definitely do not skip this ingredient!
salt: this balances everything out to prevent an overly sweet cupcake.
eggs: egg helps the cupcakes to have a moist, soft crumb. 
milk: any milk will work, but I think whole milk helps to make an extra moist cupcake.
vegetable oil: 
vanilla extract: using a good quality vanilla is always recommended for a stronger flavor.
*chocolate cake mix: if you don't want to make cupcakes from scratch, use a cake mix instead!

For the buttercream:

• powdered sugar: unlike granulated sugar, this is the right consistency to blend with the milk and, of course, sweetens the icing. 
• salted butter: for best results, the butter should be room temperature.
• milk: any dairy milk or heavy cream will work to make the frosting creamy and smooth.
vanilla extract: using a good quality vanilla is always recommended for a stronger flavor.
• gel food coloring: be sure to gel food coloring, and not liquid. The gel is thicker and more concentrated to create bold red and blue colors. Liquid food coloring may not give you the same result.

For the decoration:

• marshmallows: use jumbo marshmallows as the base of the firecrackers.
• red candy melts: melts to create a vibrant, shiny red coating on the marshmallows. You can also use white chocolate chips and red gel food coloring (do NOT use liquid food coloring).
• Twizzlers Pull 'N' Peel licorice: easily separates into individual strands, making them the ultimate realistic-looking firecracker fuses. If you can't find this licorice, you can slice standard red Twizzlers or Red Vines lengthwise into very thin, narrow strips instead.
• patriotic sprinkles: add a festive finishing touch to the cupcakes.

You will also need a hand/stand mixer, mixing bowls, muffin tin, patriotic cupcake liners, piping bags, Wilton 1M star piping tip, and nonstick spray.

Mix up the cupcake batter until all of the ingredients are combined. If you're feeling creative, you can add in additional surprises, like chocolate chips, nuts, or even mini marshmallows! Use a large scoop to fill cupcake liners about ¾ full and bake according to recipe directions.

Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the buttercream frosting and assemble the firecracker decorations.

Cut the Pull 'N' Peel licorice into 1-inch pieces and peel them apart into individual strands - you'll get 9 perfect little fuses from each section!

Melt down the red candy wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, giving it a good stir each time until completely smooth. To coat the marshmallows, pop a toothpick into one end, dunk it fully into the melted red chocolate, and let the extra drip off. Set it down on wax paper to harden!

While the candy melt is still soft, gently push a licorice strand right into the top of each marshmallow to complete the look of the fuse. Now leave the "firecrackers" alone for a bit to set completely!

Add the buttercream frosting to a piping bag fitted with a 1M star piping tip. Starting in the center of a cupcake, use a steady, even, and gentle pressure to squeeze frosting in a circular motion to cover the surface of the cupcakes. 

Top each frosted cupcake with one of the prepared red marshmallow firecrackers right in the center and finish with patriotic sprinkles.

Serve the cupcakes immediately. If you’re traveling or need to wait to serve the cupcakes, do not add the decorations and keep the frosted cupcakes fresh in a cupcake carrier with a lid.

Firecracker Cupcakes

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 ½ cups flour
• ¾ cups cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cups milk
• ¾ cups warm water
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate Cupcake Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. Line a cupcake pan with liners or spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add in liquid ingredients and combine well for about 2 minutes until smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling approximately ⅔ - ¾ full.
6. Bake 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating.

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Buttercream Frosting Directions:

1. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and mix on high speed until creamy.
2. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk and beat until fluffy.
   *If mixture is too thick, add in a bit of milk and mix again, or add in more powdered sugar until you get desired consistency.
3. Add a 1M star tip to a piping bag, and fill it with the frosting.
   
4. Starting in the center of a cupcake, use a steady, even, and gentle pressure to squeeze frosting in a circular motion to cover the surface of the cupcakes.

Cupcake Decoration Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo marshmallows
• 12 ounces red candy melts
• Twizzlers Pull 'N' Peel licorice
• 12 toothpicks
• patriotic sprinkles

Cupcake Decoration Directions:

1. Melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals. Stir well after each interval until completely melted and smooth.
2. Stick a toothpick into one end of a marshmallow and dip it into the melted chocolate.
3. Drip off excess candy melt, and place the marshmallow onto wax or parchment paper.
4. Cut the Pull 'N' Peel licorice into 1-inch pieces, and separate the licorice strands.
5. While the candy melt is still soft, press a licorice strand into the top of each marshmallow to create a fuse.
6. Allow the candy melt coating to set completely.
7. After frosting the cupcakes, top each one with a marshmallow firecracker in the center.
8. Add patriotic sprinkles as a festive finishing touch.

Tips:

• Storage: Refrigerate cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months! Be sure that the cupcakes are completely cool and unfrosted. Wrap the cupcakes in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. Thaw cupcakes in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours at room temperature before frosting and serving.

These patriotic Firecracker Cupcakes are going to be a hit at Memorial Day and 4th of July parties! Not only are they fun and simple to make, but they are SO yummy and the decoration looks so festive. If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!!

Looking for more 4th of July inspiration?

Check out this collection of OVER 100 creative 4th of July crafts and recipes!!

If you like this recipe, don't forget to Pin, Like, and Share!