Creating these delightful Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes can be simple if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cupcake trays with cupcake liners.
2. Make Red Velvet Batter:
– In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt.
– In a separate bowl, mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar.
– Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
3. Pour Batter: Fill half of the cupcake liners with the red velvet batter, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
4. Make Vanilla Batter:
– In another bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
– Cream the butter in a separate bowl, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
– Mix in flour mixture alternately with milk until just combined.
5. Pour Vanilla Batter: Fill the remaining liners with the vanilla batter, again filling each cup about two-thirds full.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Make Blue Raspberry Frosting:
– In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy.
– Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with blue raspberry flavoring and milk. Beat until fluffy and smooth.
9. Decorate: Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe the blue raspberry frosting onto the cupcakes.
10. Add Sprinkles: Top the frosted cupcakes with red, white, and blue sprinkles for added decoration.

With these steps, you’ll have a tray of eye-catching, delicious Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes ready to celebrate!