These Pinwheel Cupcakes are a Crowd-Pleaser on the 4th!

These pinwheel cupcakes are so cute, as soon as I had the idea, I had to make them. And they’re just such an easy party cupcake decorating idea.

three simple 4th of July cupcakes with white icing on top and red and white cupcake liners with pinwheel toys on top on a white table with a flag linen and a red background
These easy pinwheel cupcakes are a perfect match to the fun of summer.

Pinwheel Cupcakes

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I am a little bit in love with coming up with new ideas for the perfect party cupcakes for any occasion. One of my favorite holidays is July 4th and the party wouldn’t be complete without some fun patriotic cupcakes to grace our table!

Strap in because these pinwheel cupcakes are both patriotic and easy which is awesome for everyone. Let’s get started.

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three cupcakes with white icing on top and red and white cupcake liners with pinwheel toys on top on a white table with a flag linen and a red background with text which reads so much fun! pinwheel cupcakes

Tips to Make these Patriotic Cupcakes

  • Definitely start with your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe. I love our Lazy Girl’s Cupcakes because they’re super simple and bake in just about the amount of time necessary to make some pinwheels.
  • Multitask when making these:
    • give the little ones their choice of sprinkles in red, white, blue (and maybe even gold or silver)
    • clean up the bowls (or throw them in the dishwasher after a good rinse)
    • make the pinwheels while they’re baking
  • Don’t try to rush the cupcakes. Frost them after they’ve cooled completely, otherwise the frosting might slide right off the top.
  • If you’re going to be outside, use a stiff, heat-resistant buttercream (like an Italian buttercream frosting recipe).
white icing on patriotic cupcakes in blue and red cupcake liners with pinwheels on sticks stuck into the top of the cupcakes on a white table with a red background

How Do I Make Easy 4th of July Pinwheel Cupcakes?

I’m so glad you asked. Below is our written tutorial. If you’re making a July 4th food ideas playlist on YouTube, here is our patriotic pinwheel cupcakes video tutorial.

Yield: 6 cupcakes

Pinwheel Cupcakes

white icing on patriotic cupcakes in blue and red cupcake liners with pinwheels on sticks stuck into the top of the cupcakes on a white table with a red background

I can't believe how easy these adorable pinwheel cupcakes are! One of the most perfect 4th of July food ideas ever.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Prepare your cupcakes. We used our easy vanilla cupcake recipe for these.
  2. To make the pinwheels: Cut six 2.5-inch by 2.5-inch paper squares. Mark with a pencil in the middle of one square, then cut diagonally from each corner toward this center mark, leaving a small section uncut. This small section of uncut area is super important--but it doesn't have to be very big, just a half-inch or a quarter-inch will do. Fold the right corner of each triangle toward the center and hot glue each section on the end. Once all 4 corners are glued, push a paper fastener through the middle and close the back.
  3. Glue on a cake pop stick and let dry. photo tutorial for how to make pinwheel cupcakes for a party
  4. Place your frosting into your piping bag with a large star tip, or similar and frost each cupcake. Sprinkle each cupcake with the patriotic sprinkles. Place a pinwheel in each cupcake. photo tutorial of how to make patriotic cupcakes for 4th of July

Notes

For more awesome 4th of July food ideas, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots.

  • Additional Supplies Needed:
  • Patriotic Papers
  • Patriotic Cupcake Liners
  • 6 Paper Fasteners (brads)
  • 6 Cake Pop Sticks
  • Hot Glue Gun

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 471Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 376mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 2gSugar: 50gProtein: 4g

All nutrition information is estimated. Please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

Did you make this yummy recipe?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

More 4th of July Food Ideas You Might Like

  • The BEST 4th of July Food Ideas Around – If you’re on the hook for doing all the things for the big patriot-party, you’re in luck.
  • July 4th Popcorn Balls – I made these some time ago, but they remain on my list of “must haves” for every July 4th barbecue.
  • Flag Cupcakes – If you want the kids to make their own cupcakes for the holiday, these candy flag cupcakes are done in minutes.

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photo collage of cupcakes with pinwheels on top with text which reads easy patriotic pinwheel cupcakes

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