Bomb Pop Cupcakes!
Bring a burst of color and flavor to your celebration with Bomb Pop Cupcakes—a cupcake version of the classic red, white, and blue frozen treat.
These cupcakes are inspired by the iconic summertime Bomb Pop popsicle, combining cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavors in bold layers and frosting swirls.
Whether for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or a fun summer get-together, these cupcakes steal the show with their vibrant appearance and nostalgic taste.
Prep & Baking Overview
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Assembly Time | Total Time | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | 18 mins | 15 mins | 58 mins | 12 |
Ingredients & Alternatives
| Ingredient | Quantity | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1¾ cups | Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour |
| Baking powder | 1½ tsp | N/A |
| Salt | ¼ tsp | Sea salt |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | ½ cup | Vegan butter |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup | Coconut sugar |
| Large eggs | 2 | 2 flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 2.5 tbsp water each) |
| Whole milk | ½ cup | Almond or oat milk |
| Sour cream | ½ cup | Greek yogurt |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | Almond extract |
| Cherry extract | ½ tsp | Cherry juice concentrate |
| Lime extract | ½ tsp | Lime zest + a bit of juice |
| Blue raspberry extract | ½ tsp | Blueberry extract |
| Red food coloring (gel) | Few drops | Beet powder |
| Blue food coloring (gel) | Few drops | Butterfly pea powder |
Frosting:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 1 cup | Dairy-free butter |
| Powdered sugar | 3–4 cups | Monk fruit powdered sweetener |
| Heavy cream | 2–3 tbsp | Coconut cream |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | N/A |
| Food colorings (red & blue) | A few drops each | Natural colorings (beet, spirulina) |
Tools & Equipment
| Item | Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Cupcake pan (12 slots) | Use silicone molds or bake in batches |
| Cupcake liners | Greased pan if liners unavailable |
| Mixing bowls | Any medium-large bowls |
| Electric mixer | Whisk (manual, more effort) |
| Three piping bags | Zip-top bags with the corners cut |
| Star piping tip | Round tip or swirl by hand with spatula |
| Offset spatula | Butter knife |
How to Make Bomb Pop Cupcakes
These cupcakes come together in three bold-colored layers to resemble a Bomb Pop: red, white, and blue, each carrying its own unique flavor.
Step 1: Prepare the Batter Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.
In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
Stir in vanilla extract. Then mix in sour cream and milk until just combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until smooth.
Step 2: Divide and Flavor
Separate the batter into 3 equal parts:
- Red (Cherry Layer): Stir in cherry extract and red food coloring into one bowl.
- White (Vanilla Layer): Leave this section as-is or enhance with a dash of extra vanilla.
- Blue (Blue Raspberry Layer): Stir in blue raspberry extract and blue coloring into the third bowl.
Step 3: Layer the Batter
Using a spoon or piping bags, layer the batters in the cupcake liners:
- Spoon a layer of red batter first (about a tablespoon).
- Gently layer the white batter over it.
- Finish with the blue batter on top.
Smooth the tops slightly with a spoon if needed, but don’t mix the colors.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Make the Swirled Frosting
In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating in between. Add cream and vanilla, and beat until fluffy.
Divide the frosting into three bowls:
- Tint one red, one blue, and leave one white.
To swirl: Lay out a piece of plastic wrap, piping red, white, and blue frostings side-by-side. Roll into a log and place it into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. This creates beautiful red, white, and blue frosting swirls!
Frost each cupcake generously in a circular motion from the outside in.
Serving Tips
- Festive Platter: Serve on a red or blue platter with mini flags or firework toothpicks.
- Perfect Pairing: Great with lemonade, berry spritzers, or even vanilla ice cream.
- Make Ahead: Bake cupcakes 1–2 days ahead. Frost closer to serving to keep swirls fresh.
- Fun for Kids: Provide edible glitter or mini Bomb Pop toppers for decorating fun.
Variations to Try
- Filled Bomb Pop Cupcakes: Core each cupcake after baking and fill with cherry jam, lemon curd, or blue raspberry gel.
- Bomb Pop Ice Cream Cupcakes: Replace the frosting with frozen whipped topping and freeze for a frosty treat.
- Sour Candy Bombs: Add sour candy pieces inside or as decoration for a tangy twist.
- Strawberry Limeade Cupcakes: Skip the blue layer and use strawberry and lime layers with pink/green frosting.
Each version adds a playful spin while maintaining the red-white-blue flavor burst that defines Bomb Pop fun.
Storing Tips
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1–2 days | Airtight container |
| Refrigerated | 4–5 days | Bring to room temp before serving |
| Frozen (unfrosted) | Up to 1 month | Wrap cupcakes individually; thaw then frost |
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix / Prevention |
|---|---|
| Colors blend or swirl too much | Layer gently; don’t swirl batter |
| Cupcakes collapse in center | Avoid overmixing and don’t open oven early |
| Frosting melts or loses definition | Chill piping bag slightly before decorating |
| Uneven baking | Rotate tray halfway through bake time |
Celebrate in Layers with Bomb Pop Cupcakes
Bomb Pop Cupcakes are the ultimate nostalgic dessert for patriotic parties and sunny summer events. They don’t just look fun, they taste like the frozen treat you remember from childhood, but in fluffy cupcake form.
Whether you keep it classic or try a zesty variation, these cupcakes deliver color, flavor, and a whole lot of celebration in every bite.
