Introduction

These Grape Soda Cupcakes offer a fun, fruity twist on a classic treat. Light and fluffy, with a vibrant purple hue and a sweet grape-flavored frosting, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients

4 egg whites (room temperature)
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups grape soda
15.25 ounces white cake mix
0.14 ounce unsweetened grape flavored drink mix
4-6 drops purple gel food coloring
1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), softened
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
4-6 drops purple gel food coloring (for frosting)
Purple sparkling sugar (optional garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a regular sized muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Mix on medium low speed with a handheld mixer until well combined.
Step 3: Lower the mixer speed to low, then add the cake mix and grape flavored drink mix. Mix just until incorporated and the batter is evenly colored. Add 2-3 drops of purple gel food coloring if you want a deeper purple shade, mixing until uniform.
Step 4: Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few crumbs. Begin checking around 12 minutes as oven times can vary. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a large bowl using a stand or handheld mixer on medium high for 1 to 1½ minutes until light and fluffy.
Step 6: Lower the mixer speed to low and gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream until all powdered sugar is incorporated.
Step 7: Increase mixer speed to medium high and continue mixing until the frosting is smooth and well combined.
Step 8: Reduce mixer speed to medium, then add 4-6 drops of purple gel food coloring. Mix until the color is uniform with no streaks.
Step 9: Fill a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip (or use a ziplock bag with a corner cut off) with the purple frosting.
Step 10: Hold the tip about half an inch above each cooled cupcake and pipe the frosting in a steady spiral pattern.
Step 11: Sprinkle with purple sparkling sugar for garnish if desired, then serve and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

For extra grape flavor, consider adding a small splash of grape extract to the frosting.
Use clear grape soda for a lighter cupcake color or a darker soda for a more intense purple hue.
If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the butter and heavy cream in the frosting with vegan alternatives.
Gently fold the cake mix into the wet ingredients instead of mixing to avoid overworking the batter for fluffier cupcakes.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days, but allow cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving. Leftover frosting can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to a week and re-whipped lightly before use.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a purple cupcake with two layers: the bottom layer is a soft, moist purple cake, and the top layer is a thick swirl of light purple frosting with textured ridges and small pink sugar crystals sprinkled on top. The cupcake is partly eaten, showing the fluffy inside of the cake. It sits in a white cupcake paper liner that is slightly opened, revealing crumbs and a few scattered sugar crystals around it. In the blurry background, there are other similar purple-frosted cupcakes resting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other sodas instead of grape soda?

Yes, you can experiment with other flavored sodas like lemon-lime or orange to create different flavor profiles, but it will change the cupcake’s taste and color.

Is it necessary to use grape flavored drink mix?

The grape flavored drink mix enhances the grape taste and intensifies the color, but if unavailable, you can omit it. The cupcakes will still be tasty but slightly less grape-forward.