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Grape Soda Cupcakes Recipe

4.8 from 84 reviews

These Grape Soda Cupcakes are a fun and unique twist on classic cupcakes, featuring the sweet and fizzy flavor of grape soda in the batter and a luscious grape-flavored frosting. With a vibrant purple color and optional sparkling sugar garnish, these cupcakes are perfect for parties or a special treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 4 egg whites, room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cup grape soda
  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix
  • 0.14 ounce unsweetened grape flavored drink mix
  • 46 drops purple gel food color

Frosting

  • 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 23 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 46 drops purple gel food coloring
  • Purple sparkling sugar (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a regular-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and clean presentation.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), combine the egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Use a handheld mixer on medium-low speed to blend until well combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Lower the mixer speed to low and add the white cake mix and unsweetened grape drink mix. Mix until just incorporated and the batter is a uniform color. Add 2-3 drops of purple gel food coloring if you desire a deeper purple color. Continue mixing until no streaks remain.
  4. Fill Cupcake Liners and Bake: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Begin checking at 12 minutes as ovens vary. Remove cupcakes from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Prepare Frosting Base: Using a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract for 1 to 1.5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  6. Add Powdered Sugar and Cream: Lower the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream. Continue until all powdered sugar is incorporated.
  7. Finish Frosting: Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth and fully combined.
  8. Color the Frosting: Reduce mixer speed to medium and add 4-6 drops of purple gel food coloring. Mix just until the color is uniform with no visible streaks.
  9. Prepare Piping Bag: Fill a disposable piping bag fitted with a shaped tip or a large Ziplock bag with frosting. Snip one corner to create an opening for piping.
  10. Pipe Frosting on Cupcakes: Hold the piping bag about ½ inch above the cooled cupcakes. Apply steady, even pressure to create a spiral pattern of frosting over each cupcake.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle purple sparkling sugar on top of the frosted cupcakes for an optional shimmering finish. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best results, ensure egg whites are at room temperature for better volume in the batter.
  • Check cupcakes a few minutes before the recommended baking time as ovens vary.
  • If you prefer a more intense grape flavor, you can slightly increase the grape drink mix but be cautious not to affect texture.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering frosting consistency.
  • Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Keywords: grape soda cupcakes, grape flavored cupcakes, purple cupcakes, soda cake, unique cupcake recipes, flavored frosting, party cupcakes