Summertime has long been a fun respite from daily life for most kids. Along with going swimming and being free from schoolwork, there was also the thrill of the ice cream truck or stand. While you might see orange sherbet or a box of Neapolitan in the freezer at home, Bomb Pops were pretty much only a summertime delicacy reserved for when the ice cream man came around. Now, you can have this fun treat in cupcake form (and it won’t melt all over your hands).

Bomb Pops have that signature sweet and indistinct fruity taste, with a touch of citrus. These cupcakes also have a fun combination of fruit flavors thanks to fresh lime zest and lemon pudding in the batter. Both of these ingredients add a nice zing to the cupcakes.

Back in the old days what we really loved about Bomb Pops were the colors, which can be achieved at home in the frosting using red and blue food coloring. This also gives these cupcakes a very patriotic look that’s perfect for the 4th of July. And, the frosting also has some secret ingredients that add to the fun: cherry and raspberry Kool-Aid mix. This really gives the cupcakes a nostalgic taste you might not have known you were missing.

Of course, you’ll need to have enough icing bags and piping tips on hand so that you don’t mix the colors up. The same is true for bowls and spoons for mixing the colors and flavors into the frosting. If you mix them up you’ll get purple which won’t change the taste, but will ruin the visual effect of red, white, and blue frosting.

If you’re looking for a tasty way to celebrate America’s birthday then try these cupcakes for a wonderful change of pace this Independence Day.