Patriotic Cupcakes

So here we are. It's Memorial Day weekend, I've got family coming in from out of town tonight, the house is still a mess and I've got absolutely nothing planned. Fortunately, living in Las Vegas, there's never a shortage of things to do...even with kids. But if you know me, you know that no trip to my house is complete without cupcakes. This is a simple (but fun) recipe that I came up with last 4th of July. Its easy and inexpensive but festive enough for any patriotic holiday...thus, perfect for Memorial Day.

Red, White, and Blue Americakes

Ingredients:

• White Cake Batter (How much depends on how many cupcakes you're making. If using a box mix, you each box will make about 24 cupcakes).
• Unsweetened packet of Red Kool-aid Drink Mix (for this, I recommend Cherry)
• Unsweetened packet of Blue Kool-aid Drink Mix (note: Tropical Punch comes in a blue packet, but it is NOT blue. The contents are RED)
• Vanilla Frosting in red, white, and blue (hint: use food coloring to make your own red and blue frosting)
• Cupcake Liners (red, white, and/or blue)

1. Preheat oven and prepare white cake batter according to the recipe of your choice. (Boxed cake mix works just fine with this recipe and will save you time. But if you are making a lot of cupcakes, homemade mix may give you more control). Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

2. Separate batter in thirds, placing each third in to a separate bowl. The first bowl will be your "white" batter. To the second bowl, add half of the red kool-aid mix. To the third bowl, add half of the blue packet of kool-aid mix. (These measurements are assuming you are making a total of 24 cupcakes, if you are making more, add more kool-aid until you achieve your desired color. Drink mix will slightly change the texture of the batter and batter may expand, but it will bake the same).

3. Take a spoonful of each color batter and layer them, alternating colors in the cupcake liner until it is about half full. Repeat with each liner until the pan is full and bake according to the recipe you are using (or box instructions). As usual, cupcakes are ready when a toothpick can be inserted to the center and comes out clean.

4. Let cupcakes cool completely. Frost them with a layer of white, then use pastry bags (or ziplocks) filled with red and blue frosting to pipe patriotic stars and stripes on to each cupcake.