Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix with the required amounts of water, eggs, and vegetable oil as specified on the package. Mix for about 2 minutes until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl.
• Divide the batter into three equal portions.
• In one bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of blue food coloring and mix until uniformly colored. In the second bowl, add the red food coloring. The third bowl remains plain.
• Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Spoon the red batter into each cupcake liner, filling them about one-third full. Add the plain batter, filling them another third, and then top with the blue batter.
• Bake for 20-24 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
• Remove the cupcake tin from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
• Prepare your buttercream frosting.
• Frost the completely cooled cupcakes using a spatula or piping bag.
• Sprinkle red, white, and blue jimmies or stars over the frosting.