A Sweet Salute
For America's 250th, neighbors Callaway Rector and Savannah Schuler mixed patriotism with a little sweetness, baking raspberry muffins, delivering them to their neighbor, Col. Vince Apruzzese Sr (Ret.), whose 25 years of Army service helped shape the nation we celebrate today.
Raspberry Cream-Filled Patriotic Cupcakes
Created for Stroll Edinburgh
These light vanilla cupcakes are filled with raspberry cream and decorated in a festive red, white, and blue theme. They are perfect for summer celebrations, neighborhood gatherings, and honoring the people who have served our country.
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the raspberry cream filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup raspberry preserves
- 1 cup whipped topping
For the frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For decorating
- Fresh raspberries
- Blueberries
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients and milk alternately, mixing just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- To make the filling, beat cream cheese and raspberry preserves until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
- Using a small knife or cupcake corer, remove a small section from the center of each cupcake. Fill each cavity with raspberry cream.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cupcakes and decorate with fresh berries and patriotic sprinkles.
Recipe Note
Callaway and Savannah found their raspberry muffin recipe in The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids. The whole-wheat muffins are packed with raspberries and topped with a light sprinkle of sugar before baking. The girls put their own patriotic spin on the recipe by transforming the muffins into festive cupcakes to share with their neighbor, Col. Vince Apruzzese Sr.
We love how these young neighbors are embracing the spirit of gratitude and service to shower their veteran neighbor with a little patriotic love! Their baking project is a sweet reminder that celebrating America's 250th can be as simple as sharing something homemade with a hero next door.