Add 3 to 5 drops of red gel food coloring to one bowl. Add 3 to 5 drops of blue gel food coloring to the other bowl.
Use a spoon to mix the food coloring into the cake batter. Mix until there are no longer any streaks of food coloring visible.
Transfer the cake batter to piping bags.
Starting with the blue colored cake batter squeeze a small amount into each cupcake liner equally dividing the batter between the cupcake liners.
Repeat with the white and red cake batter.
Bake the cupcakes following the instructions on the box.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and cool for five minutes in the pan then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
I like making homemade red, white and blue frosting for my patriotic cupcakes but you can also use store bought vanilla or cream cheese frosting and sprinkles to decorate these cupcakes.