Delightful purple cupcakes infused with the sweet, nostalgic flavor of grape soda, topped with a luscious grape-flavored frosting. A fun, vibrant dessert perfect for parties!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor – The grape soda infuses the cupcakes with a nostalgic, fruity taste.
- Fun & Colorful – A bright purple hue makes these cupcakes visually stunning.
- Moist & Fluffy – The soda adds moisture, making the cupcakes soft and light.
- Easy to Make – Uses a boxed cake mix for a quick and simple baking experience.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for birthdays, themed parties, or just for fun!
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- 4 egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups grape soda (such as Grape Crush)
- 0.14-ounce packet unsweetened grape-flavored drink mix
- 4-6 drops purple gel food coloring (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4-6 drops purple gel food coloring
- Purple sparkling sugar (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Prepare the Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Mix on medium-low speed until well combined.
- Add the white cake mix and grape drink mix to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the batter is smooth and the color is uniform. If a deeper purple hue is desired, add 4-6 drops of purple gel food coloring and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Fill each cupcake liner approximately 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with one tablespoon of heavy cream. Beat on low speed after each addition until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Once all the powdered sugar and cream have been added, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Add 4-6 drops of purple gel food coloring and mix until the frosting reaches the desired shade.
Assemble the Cupcakes:
- Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip to frost each cupcake with the grape-flavored frosting.
- For an extra touch of sparkle, sprinkle the tops with purple sparkling sugar.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 24 cupcakes
- Calories per cupcake: Approximately 280 kcal
Variations
- Different Soda Flavors – Try using orange soda, cherry soda, or strawberry soda for a different twist.
- Filling Option – Inject the cupcakes with grape jam or a cream cheese filling for extra flavor.
- Marbled Look – Swirl in a bit of white or darker purple batter for a fun design.
- Dairy-Free Option – Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives in the frosting.
- Chocolate Twist – Add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the batter for a grape-and-chocolate combo.
Storage and Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to a week; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Thaw before decorating.
FAQs
Can I use a different soda?
Yes! Orange, cherry, or strawberry soda would work well as substitutes.
Do I need to use food coloring?
No, but the cupcakes will have a lighter purple hue without it.
Can I make these cupcakes without a mixer?
Yes, you can mix by hand, but an electric mixer will ensure a smoother batter and frosting.
How do I prevent the cupcakes from being too dense?
Make sure not to overmix the batter, and use egg whites for a lighter texture.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, but homemade frosting has a richer, fresher taste.
What’s the best way to decorate these cupcakes?
Use a star piping tip for a beautiful swirl and top with sparkling sugar or sprinkles.
How can I make these more festive?
Add colorful cupcake liners and matching sprinkles for a themed event.
Can I use a different cake mix?
A vanilla or yellow cake mix will also work, but a white cake mix keeps the colors vibrant.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can leave it out or substitute it with extra vanilla extract.
How do I make these cupcakes extra moist?
Use full-fat ingredients and do not overbake them.
Conclusion
Luscious Grape Crush Cupcakes are a fun, flavorful, and eye-catching treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Their unique grape soda flavor, combined with a creamy frosting, makes them an unforgettable dessert. Try them out for your next party or special event, and enjoy the burst of fruity sweetness in every bite!
Print
Luscious Grape Crush Cupcakes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful purple cupcakes infused with the sweet, nostalgic flavor of grape soda, topped with a luscious grape-flavored frosting. A fun, vibrant dessert perfect for parties!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 box white cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- 4 egg whites, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups grape soda (such as Grape Crush)
- 0.14-ounce packet unsweetened grape-flavored drink mix
- 4–6 drops purple gel food coloring (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4–6 drops purple gel food coloring
- Purple sparkling sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Mix on medium-low speed until well combined.
- Add the white cake mix and grape drink mix to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until smooth. If a deeper purple hue is desired, add purple gel food coloring and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Fill each cupcake liner approximately 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with one tablespoon of heavy cream. Beat on low speed after each addition.
- Once all the powdered sugar and cream have been added, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add purple gel food coloring and mix until the frosting reaches the desired shade.
3. Assemble the Cupcakes:
- Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag with your preferred tip to frost each cupcake.
- Sprinkle the tops with purple sparkling sugar for an extra touch.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of food coloring for a lighter or darker purple hue.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Add a drop of grape extract to the frosting for an extra burst of grape flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American