These cupcakes have absolutely no nutritional value, at all. But they have all sorts of giggling value! And that's something. Firecracker cupcakes. They are cupcakes, which are always fun. And on top of that, they have hot sauce, pop rocks, and other fun additions. I dare you to try this sometime with your kids and not giggle as you eat them!
When I see another firecracker cupcake recipe on Pinterest or other social media I get excited... until I click over and see that it is simply a decorative firecracker cupcake. As in, it's NOT exploding in your mouth stuff. Lame. I want a firecracker in my mouth AND a pretty cupcake. So, I took matters into my own hands with these cupcakes.
These cupcakes are quite simple and a great Fourth of July dessert. In fact, my daughter did a good majority of the baking! They are gooey, spicy, and fun to eat because they taste like Red Hot candies dipped in Pop Rocks. My kids were nuts over them and I continue to make them often. Honestly, I loved them too…so fun! But, be aware…the flavor mostly comes from the frosting…not the cupcakes! Don’t skip the frosting! Or the Pop Rocks.
Note: Pop Rocks have become increasingly difficult to find. I can grab them from my local candy store or on Amazon. When I find them, I pick up multiple packages to have on hand for these cupcakes.
Red Hot Firecracker Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup red hot candies
- pop rocks
Firecracker frosting
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp cream or milk
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cloves
- 2 drops hot sauce
Instructions
For cupcakes
- Prepare a package of white cake mix (or homemade!) according to the directions for cupcakes.
- Add 1 cup of crushed red hot candies to the batter before baking (I use my food processor to crush them.)Tip: spray the cupcake liners to help them come off the cake better. These are gooey!
- Bake according to package directions.
For frosting
- Mix the butter and powdered sugar.
- Add the rest of the frosting ingredients to the sugar and butter. Beat together an additional 2 minutes.
If desired, more cinnamon and hot sauce can be added to increase heat.
To assemble:
- Scoop out the center of the cooled cupcakes...set the cake aside.
- Pour Pop Rocks into the center of the cupcake and top with the cupcake you set aside (avoid having the frosting touch the Pop Rocks directly to keep them fresh)
- Frost the cooled cupcakes.
- Dip the frosted tops in Pop Rocks (or simply sprinkle the Pop Rocks on top)
Nutrition
There you have it…a Redhot Cupcake Recipe the kids will be loving and are great fun for the Fourth of July and more.
Note: Sometimes when I make these, I scoop out a bit of the center of the cooled cupcake and fill it with Pop Rocks before icing. But this only works with cooled cake. Warm cake will activate the Pop Rocks before you get to bite into it.
Tip: These are fun to add star sprinkles, metallic cupcake toppers, or patriotic cupcake liners to!
Caren says
Do you have any problem with the pop rocks popping when added to the frosting? Or do they stay intact until eaten? Can they be made ahead of time?
Nellie says
No, I don't. I make sure that the cake is cooled before adding them. Because the cake is dry the pop rocks won't pop. The very top ones that touch the frosting probably do. But, not the others. Yes, I have made them ahead of time with no problems!
Krystle says
These look like a party in my mouth kind of cupcake, yum!
Janel says
Ha!! Yep...packed with gluten!
cassie says
these are so clever!!! what a fun treat. :)