15 Spangled 4th Of July Cupcake And Cake Recipes

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Buñuelos

These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Apricot Kolachys

The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

Cutout Sugar Cookies

In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Polvorones

You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

Pignoli

These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

Kourabiedes

These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

Melting Snowmen Cupcakes

Save these snowman Christmas cupcakes from melting by simply scarfing 'em down! The entire holiday party will go bonkers over the detailed decorations, too. (via Brit + Co)

Reindeer Cupcakes

You need these Christmas cupcakes in your life right now! Break them out while watching your fave Hallmark Christmas movies, and they’ll put you in the most perfect mood. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Christmas Light Cupcakes

The M&M "bulbs" on these little trees have a totally 3D effect. It’s so cool, and the technique is so easy, even the littlest bakers in the house can get in on the decorating action. (via Baked Bree)

Tall Christmas Tree Cupcakes

The secret to building these green trees as tall as possible is ice cream cones. Set some on top of your Christmas cupcakes, then go crazy with the piping bag! (via Averie Cooks)

Santa Hat Cupcakes

Here’s a festive Christmas cupcake that requires zero special decorating tools. Just pipe on store-bought icing straight from the tube, then add mini marshmallows and voila — a jolly Santa hat! (via Frugal Mom Eh!)

White Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

This recipe reminds us of our fave Starbucks holiday drink, the Peppermint White Mocha. When anything sweet and minty comes in dessert form, we're there. (via Amanda Wilens)

Bourbon Eggnog Cupcakes

Eggnog is *the* signature drink of the holiday season, and baking it into some Christmas cupcakes only makes it better. (via Barley & Sage)

Festive Cranberry Orange Cupcakes

Cranberry and orange flavors team up alongside pistachio in these vegan cupcakes that'll put the finishing touches on your Christmas dinner. (via A Virtual Vegan)

Snowman Cupcakes

These jolly little guys are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Keep your phone handy to snap some Insta pics while you bake, because they’re guaranteed to rack up the likes. (via Little Sunny Kitchen)

Ultimate Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes are made from the very best chocolate batter you’ll ever taste, then topped with a giant swirl of chocolate ganache. Add a peanut-butter cup head, an M&Ms nose, and candy cane antlers, and they’ll be utterly irresistible. (via Hungry Happenings)

Snowman Cupcakes

These little treats are *snow* good. They're topped with donut holes, so you're basically getting two desserts in one! Both pieces are rolled in confectioner’s sugar before assembling, making this cupcake doubly-sweet. (via Bakerella)

Rudolph the Reindeer Cupcakes

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer… had a shiny gumball nose! Your littlest guests will be wow-ed to see their fave Christmas character make an appearance on your dessert table. (via Crafty Morning)

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

The base of this holiday cupcake is the richest double-fudge cake batter you’ll ever taste. Prepare for the onslaught, because everyone will be asking for the recipe! (via Frugal Mom Eh!)

Blackberry Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream

Blackberries remind us so much of the winter season. If you want to serve some fruity Christmas cupcakes this year, this easy recipe is your best bet! Just wait 'til you try that buttercream. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Chai Latte Cupcakes

The warm spices included in chai will also warm your heart as you begin to bake these Christmas cupcakes for the fam. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Easy Snowman Cupcakes

These snowmen are super festive, and they come together fairly quickly using ingredients that you probably already have on-hand. Be sure to finish them off with a generous avalanche of granulated sugar to make them extra sweet. (via One Little Project)

North Pole Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes get their jolly flair from a peppermint stick decorated like the North Pole. How cute are these?! (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Cookies + cupcakes = dessert overload. But we're here for it! Each bite of these Christmas cupcakes will bring forth that warm, fuzzy feeling. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Polar Bear Paw Footprint Cupcakes

These polar bear paw-print cupcakes look just like little teddy bear paws. And the clever coconut "fur" makes them just as sweet to look at as they are to eat. (via One Little Project)

Mickey Mouse Santa Hat Cupcakes

Hold onto your holiday Mickey Mouse ears, because everyone’s fave Santa hat cupcakes just got a cartoonish twist. Your new favorite Christmas cupcakes have arrived! (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Christmas season has not truly arrived until you spend a morning sipping on hot chocolate. Be sure to invite a few friends over, because treats this sweet treat must be shared. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Mini Polar Bear Cupcakes

Sprinkles and candies make for the cutest little cupcake faces. These baby bears would be super adorable at a winter wonderland-themed party. (via Bakerella)

Vegan Gingerbread Cupcakes with Snowmen

This vegan gingerbread cupcake base will enchant you and your guests even further once you top them with tiny lil' snowmen. (via Earthly Provisions)

Strawberry Santa Hat Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes are as healthy as they get – with a darling strawberry Santa hat! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

“When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

“I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."