Nothing says “American Summer” quite like the sound of the ice cream truck and the sight of a classic red, white, and blue Bomb Pop. Today, we’re taking those iconic colors and flavors off the stick and putting them into a dessert that won’t melt in the sun: Patriotic Bomb Pop Cupcakes.
These cupcakes are a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a 4th of July backyard BBQ, a Memorial Day picnic, or just want to surprise the kids with a treat that looks like their favorite popsicle, these are a guaranteed showstopper. With layers of vibrant color and a flavor profile that hits all those nostalgic citrus and berry notes, these are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Visually Stunning: The triple-layered frosting mimics the classic popsicle perfectly for a “wow” factor.
- Nostalgic Flavor: We use a hint of lemon and blue raspberry to capture the true essence of the Bomb Pop.
- Kid-Approved: What’s more fun than a red, white, and blue cupcake with a mini popsicle stick?
- Foolproof Decorating: I’ll show you the “triple-bag” piping trick to get those perfect stripes every time.
Recipe Card Info
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 12-14 cupcakes
- Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 1 Large egg
- 1/2 cup Whole milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Lemon zest (for that classic Bomb Pop citrus note)
For the Triple-Threat Frosting:
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups Powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp Heavy cream
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- Red and Blue gel food coloring
- Garnish: Mini popsicle sticks or small Bomb Pop candies.
Instructions
- Bake the Base: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with white liners. Cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest. Slowly fold in the dry ingredients. Bake for 18–20 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Make the Buttercream: Beat the butter until pale and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla until you have a stiff but pipeable consistency.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into three bowls. Leave one white, dye one deep red, and dye one bright blue.
- The Triple-Piping Trick: * Lay out a piece of plastic wrap. Pipe a thick line of red, then white, then blue frosting side-by-side.
- Roll the plastic wrap into a “log” and snip one end.
- Drop this log into a large piping bag fitted with a star tip (like a Wilton 1M).
- Decorate: Starting at the outer edge of the cupcake, pipe a swirl moving toward the center. The three colors will emerge together in a perfect tri-color stripe!
- The Finishing Touch: Insert a mini popsicle stick into the side of the frosting at an angle for the ultimate Bomb Pop look.
Chef’s Tips for Success
- Tip 1 (Gel is Best): Use gel food coloring rather than liquid drops. Gel provides a much deeper “patriotic” color without thinning out your buttercream.
- Tip 2 (Cold Buttercream): If your kitchen is hot, pop your filled piping bag in the fridge for 5 minutes before decorating to ensure the colors stay distinct and don’t bleed together.
- Tip 3 (Lemon Love): Don’t skip the lemon zest in the cake! The original Bomb Pop has a distinct lime/lemon layer that really makes these cupcakes taste authentic.
Encouraging Conclusion
These Bomb Pop Cupcakes are the ultimate summer vibe. They bring out the inner child in everyone and make for the most festive photo-op at any summer party.
