What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by enjoying some delicious patriotic treats? Dr. Maryam Mojdehi-Barnes and her team have put together a list of easy Fourth of July recipes that are both delicious and braces-friendly. Try them out and let us know what you think. Most importantly, have a fun and safe Fourth of July!
Red, White, & Blue Cupcakes
Cupcakes are always a tasty treat, and these red, white, and blue cupcakes are sure to impress. By adding red and blue food coloring to the cake mix, you can make a beautiful tie-dye pattern that would make any American proud. Just remember to brush your teeth and braces thoroughly after you enjoy this sugary snack.
Ingredients
Cake
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1 box white cake mix
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1 cup water
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⅓ cup vegetable oil
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3 large egg whites
Frosting
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1 ½ lbs powdered sugar
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1 stick butter
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⅓ cup milk
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2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Making The Cupcakes
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Prepare cupcake pan with paper cupcake pan liners.
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In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer until all ingredients are well combined (about 2 minutes).
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Separate the batter into 3 bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, blue food coloring to another, and leave the third bowl untouched so the batter stays white.
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For standard size cupcakes, place 1 tablespoon of red batter, 1 tablespoon of blue batter, and 1 tablespoon of white batter into each cup. Do not mix.
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Bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool for at least 15 minutes.
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Transfer cupcakes from pan to a cooling rack, and let cool for another 30 minutes.
Making The Frosting
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, vegan butter, soy or almond milk, and vanilla extract.
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Using a hand mixer or an electric mixer, beat the mixture on low to fully combine all ingredients.
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Once combined, beat the mixture on medium to high until the frosting is light and fluffy.
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If the frosting seems too thick, feel free to add more milk. On the other hand, if the frosting seems too thin and runny, add more powdered sugar.
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Using a Wilton 1M frosting tip, pipe desired amount of frosting onto each cupcake.
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Lastly, add red, white, and blue star sprinkles. Enjoy!
There are many variations of these cupcakes and so many fun ways you can decorate them for the Fourth of July. Get creative and show us what you make by posting on our Facebook page.
Patriotic Parfaits
If you need a simple recipe that you can make for a lot of party guests, look no further than this tasty and refreshing parfait. All it takes is three ingredients for a festive treat that is easy to make (and even easier to eat!).
Ingredients
*Recipe makes 4 servings
Instructions
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In a small-to-medium sized glass, layer strawberries, blueberries, and a whipped topping.
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That’s it! Serve immediately or refrigerate until later, and enjoy this refreshing treat!
Have A Safe & Happy Fourth of July!
If you have any questions about what you’re able to eat with braces, please feel free to contact us. As a trusted provider of professional orthodontic care for families of Allen, TX and the surrounding communities, we hope that you have a fun and safe Fourth of July! Be sure to take good care of your smile during the holiday, and we look forward to seeing you in our office for your next checkup.