• Start by preheating the oven to 350degrees F. Then, line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. I used a patriotic theme liner, you can use a solid color or silicon cups if that is what you have on hand.
• In a large bowl, begin by pouring in the dry cake mix.
• Then, melt the butter in the microwave and pour into the cake mix.
• Add the milk and additional egg (include the egg count called for on the cake mix box too, this is an extra 1 egg). Stir all ingredients until combined. 
• After the cupcake batter is complete, pour 1/3 of the batter into two separate bowls, having 1/3 of the batter into three bowls....one remains white batter, one will be red and the other blue.
• Then, add about 1/8 teaspoon of red and blue food coloring in each bowl, mix to combine.
• Proceed to scoop 1 tablespoon of white batter into the bottom of each cupcake liner.
• Then scoop 1 tablespoon of red batter onto one side of each cupcake, followed by the same amount of the blue batter on the other side.
• Add 1 more  tablespoon of white batter to the top of each cupcake. The cupcake liners should be full at this point. Take a toothpick and gently stir the batter in each cupcake around a few times to create the swirl affect.
• Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake according to package directions- mine baked for 18 minutes.
• Let cool completely before adding the frosting and sprinkles.

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

• In a medium size bowl, using an electric handheld mixer (or Kitchen Aide mixer), cream the butter until it is light and fluffy.
• Next, add in the marshmallow creme, whip for 2 minutes.
• Then, add the powdered sugar and continue to beat for 2 more minutes.
• Lastly, pour in the vanilla extract and milk and mix for 1 minute.  
• For frosting cupcakes, a slightly thicker frosting is better because they hold their shape. However if you are frosting a cake, I would add more milk- 3 TBSP or even 4, so that you can spread the frosting well.
• Using a knife or piping bag, add the frosting to each cupcake after they have cooled. Top each with festive sprinkles, a tiny flag (if you have them) and serve!