As American as...Cupcakes?

Y'all ate up my last batch of cupcakes so I decided to share some more!  I made these for some friends yesterday just before watching certain film starring Will Smith and some aliens.  No, not Men in Black...that other one.  What's it called?  Oh yes, Independence Day! 

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Playing by the pool, fireflies, watermelon...it just feels like summertime.  This recipe truly captures the pure, innocent joy of summertime.  It's fun and simple.  Also, it happens to be reduced fat/reduced sugar!  Be sure to bookmark this one for your barbecue next year...it's a big hit!

Liberty Cakes
Source: Inspired by fellow Foodbuzz Featured Publisher, Omnomicon

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix
12 oz Sprite Zero (sorry...I live in Atlanta)
LOTS of gel food coloring
8 oz Fat Free whipped topping

Directions:

Preheat oven according to cake mix package directions.  Line cupcake pan.

Mix together white cake mix and Sprite Zero according to package directions.

Looks like cappuccino froth!

Pour one third of the batter into a small bowl.  Pour another one third into another small bowl.  Add blue food coloring to one bowl and red food coloring to the other.  I like to add three drops, stir, and repeat until I find the desired color.

The prettiest dirty dishes ever

Place one heaping tablespoon of blue batter into each cupcake liner.  Then place one heaping tablespoon of uncolored batter directly on top of the blue, as though forming concentric circles.  Then top each cupcake liner with one heaping tablespoon of red batter.  Repeat until you're out of liners (I made 2 dozen with this much batter).  Don't worry if your cupcakes look a little lower than usual...this stuff rises a lot!

Bake according to box directions.  Let cool completely.  Once cool, top with whipped topping and a blueberry.  Serve with sparklers and patriotism.