Grape Soda Cupcakes

These grape soda cupcakes are light, moist, and packed with a unique grape flavor, thanks to real grape soda and grape drink mix. With a simple preparation and vibrant color, they’re a fun treat perfect for parties and gatherings.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Servings24

Grape soda cupcakes bring an unexpected burst of flavor to your dessert table, pairing the sweet nostalgia of grape soda with a fluffy, moist cupcake. Each bite has a playful grape flavor that’s perfectly balanced with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting, making these cupcakes a treat that surprises and delights. These cupcakes are a vibrant, crowd-pleasing treat that’s perfect for parties or anytime you’re craving something different.

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What You Need To Know

• MAIN INGREDIENTS: egg whites, vegetable oil, grape soda, white cake mix, unsweetened grape flavored drink mix, purple gel food coloring, salted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, powdered sugar, heavy cream, purple sparkling sugar
• QUICK STEPS: Mix wet ingredients, add dry ingredients, add food coloring, fill cupcake liners, bake, cool on wire rack, prepare buttercream frosting, color frosting, pipe frosting, garnish with purple sparkling sugar
• TOTAL TIME AND YIELD: 55 minutes, 24 cupcakes

Why This Recipe

• We use real grape soda and a grape-flavored drink mix to create a bold, nostalgic taste that’s rarely found in cupcakes, making this recipe truly stand out.
• The buttercream frosting includes a hint of almond extract alongside vanilla extract, creating a smooth, balanced flavor that perfectly complements the grape cupcakes without overpowering them.

Grape Soda Ingredients

You’ll love the unique and nostalgic taste of these fun cupcakes, which bring together real grape flavor with a light, fluffy texture. This grape soda cupcakes recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that add up to something truly special.

Grape Soda Cupcakes Substitutions and Additions

White Cake Mix: A vanilla cake mix can work if white cake mix isn’t available. The cupcakes may have a slightly different flavor, but the texture should remain similar.

Salted Butter: If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the frosting to balance the sweetness.

Purple Sparkling Sugar: If you don’t have sparkling sugar, try purple sanding sugar or a sprinkle of white chocolate shavings for a unique finish. These won’t add the same crunch, but they’ll bring a nice visual element.

How To Make Grape Soda Cupcakes

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

STEP TWO: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (about two to three quarts), combine four egg whites at room temperature, ½ cup vegetable oil, and 1 ½ cups grape soda. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, blend the ingredients until well combined.

This step helps the cupcake batter stay light and gives it a good base for the grape flavor.

STEP THREE: Lower the mixer speed to low, then gradually add in the white cake mix and packet of unsweetened grape flavored drink mix. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Avoid over-mixing, as this can lead to denser cupcakes.

If you’d like a darker purple hue, add two or three drops of purple gel food coloring. Mix until the batter is a consistent color, with no streaks remaining.

STEP FOUR: Using a spoon or scoop, fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter. Filling the liners evenly will help the cupcakes bake at the same rate. Overfilling may cause the batter to overflow, so be careful to stick to the two-thirds mark.

STEP FIVE: Place the cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Begin checking around the 12-minute mark to avoid over-baking, as all ovens vary.

Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake—if it comes out with only a few crumbs, they’re ready. This helps grape soda cupcakes stay moist without becoming overly dense.

STEP SIX: Carefully remove the cupcakes from the muffin tin and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important to stop the cooking process and prevent the cupcakes from becoming soggy on the bottom.

Allow at least 30 minutes for cooling before adding frosting.

STEP SEVEN: In a stand mixer or a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat together one cup of softened salted butter, two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of pure almond extract. Mix on medium-high speed for one to one and a half minutes, until light and fluffy.

Be sure the butter is soft but not melted to achieve the ideal frosting consistency.

STEP EIGHT: Lower the mixer speed to low, and gradually add four cups of sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with two to three tablespoons heavy cream. This keeps the frosting smooth.

After adding all the sugar, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is creamy and fully combined.

STEP NINE: Lower the mixer speed to medium, and add four to six drops of purple gel food coloring. Mix until the color is consistent, with no visible streaks. Adjust the color to your liking by adding a few more drops if needed, but mix thoroughly to keep the frosting’s texture even.

STEP TEN: Fill a disposable piping bag fitted with a decorating tip, or use a gallon-size ziplock bag with the corner snipped off, with the frosting. Hold the bag about ½ inch above the surface of each cooled cupcake and apply steady, even pressure to pipe the frosting in a spiral motion.

Finish with a sprinkle of purple sparkling sugar or purple sanding sugar for a decorative touch.

Troubleshooting This Grape Soda Cupcake Recipe

Cupcakes turn out dense.
Make sure not to over-mix the batter once the dry ingredients are added, as this can cause the cupcakes to lose their light texture.

The color isn’t vibrant enough.
Add additional drops of purple gel food coloring as needed to reach the desired intensity, but mix thoroughly to avoid streaks.

Frosting is too runny.
Use heavy cream sparingly, adding just enough to reach the right consistency. If it’s too runny, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it.

Frosting separates or doesn’t hold shape.
Make sure the butter is softened but not melted before starting, and beat until fluffy before adding powdered sugar.

Cupcakes are dry.
Start checking for doneness at the 12-minute mark, as over-baking can lead to dryness. Bake only until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs for moist cupcakes.

Uneven color in the batter.
After adding grape soda and food coloring, mix until the color is fully incorporated, ensuring a consistent purple hue in every cupcake.

Buttercream tastes too sweet.
Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness if you’re using unsalted butter. You can also use a small amount of almond extract for extra depth.

Cupcakes are sticky on top after cooling.
Cool completely on a wire rack to prevent moisture from trapping under the cupcakes, which can cause stickiness.

How To Serve Grape Soda Cupcakes

Birthday Parties: These beautiful cupcakes are a perfect addition to a birthday celebration and a fun way to add a pop of color and unique flavor that stands out from traditional cake options. Pair these cupcakes with a kid-friendly Shirley Temple for a fruity and festive drink that everyone will enjoy. For an extra touch of birthday fun, serve with other sweet treats, like birthday cake cookies to create a dessert table that’s as celebratory as it is delicious.

Summer BBQ or Picnic: These cupcakes are a fun treat to bring to a barbecue or picnic on a hot summer day, where their vibrant color and fruity flavor shine in the sunshine. Pair them with refreshing whipped lemonade to keep everyone cool and refreshed. Round out the dessert options with a strawberry trifle—a light and easy-to-make dessert that complements the cupcakes without adding extra oven time.

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How To Store Grape Cupcakes

Proper storage keeps your grape soda cupcakes fresh, so you can enjoy them later without losing their texture or flavor.

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare grape soda cupcakes a day in advance to save time. Bake the cupcakes as directed, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, and store them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature.

Prepare the frosting separately and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, let the frosting soften slightly at room temperature, then pipe it onto the cupcakes.

IN THE FRIDGE: Once frosted, store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days. For the best taste, let the cupcakes sit at room temperature for about fifteen minutes before serving.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, place unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, let the cupcakes thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring them to room temperature before frosting and serving. Freezing frosted cupcakes is not recommended, as the texture may change upon thawing.

Why We Love Grape Soda Cupcakes

Grape soda cupcakes bring a unique twist to classic cupcakes, making them both fun and delicious. With their vibrant color, nostalgic flavor, and simple preparation, these cupcakes are an easy way to brighten any occasion.

Unique Flavor: The grape soda and grape drink mix bring a pop of fruity flavor you won’t find in most cupcakes.

Quick and Easy: With a white cake mix as a base, these cupcakes come together fast, so they’re perfect even if you’re short on time.

Kid-Friendly Fun: Kids love the fruity flavor and vibrant color, making these cupcakes so much fun for your next party.

These grape soda cupcakes are a fun, vibrant treat with an unmistakable grape flavor that’s easy to make and perfect for any celebration. With their eye-catching color and soft texture, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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Grape Soda Cupcakes

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These grape soda cupcakes are light, moist, and packed with a unique grape flavor, thanks to real grape soda and grape drink mix. With a simple preparation and vibrant color, they’re a fun treat perfect for parties and gatherings.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 24

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Ingredients

  

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Cupcake Batter

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cup grape soda
• 15.25 ounces white cake mix
• .14 ounce unsweetened grape flavored drink mix
• 4-6 drops purple gel food color

Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup salted butter, 2 sticks (2 sticks)
• 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
• Purple sparkling sugar, optional garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350*F. Line a regular sized muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Add the egg whites, vegetable oil and grape soda to a medium size (2-3 quarts) mixing bowl. Use a handheld mixer on medium low speed to mix until well combined.
• Lower the mixer speed to low. Add in the cake mix and grape drink mix. Mix just until incorporated and the cake batter is a uniform color. If you are wanting a darker/deeper purple color, you can add 2-3 drops of the purple gel food coloring. Continue mixing until the cake batter is a uniform color and no purple streaks remain.
• Fill the cupcake liners ⅔ full. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes away with only a few crumbs. (Remember all ovens bake differently, so begin checking the cupcakes around the 12 minute mark) Carefully remove the cupcakes from the muffin tin and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
• Next, using either a stand mixer, or a large size (4-5 quarts) mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium high speed, beat together the softened butter, vanilla and almond extract for 1 – 1 ½ minutes until light and fluffy.
• Lower the mixer speed to low, and add the sifted powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with the heavy cream until all the powdered sugar has been added.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium high, and continue mixing until the frosting is well combined and smooth.
• Lower the mixer speed to medium, and add the drops of gel food coloring, mixing just until the color is uniform and no visible purple streaks.
• Fill a disposable piping bag fitted with a shaped tip, or a gallon size ziplock bag with a corner snipped off, with the frosting.
• Hold the tip of the bag about ½ inch above the surface of the cooled cupcakes. Use steady even pressure to gently squeeze the frosting in a spiral pattern over the surface of the cupcake.
• Sprinkle the frosting with the purple sparkling sugar and serve.

Notes

• You can store the cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also store the cupcakes in the freezer for up to 1 month. Allow the cupcakes to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• You can substitute store brand grape soda, or grape Nehi for the grape Crush. You can substitute store brand or generic grape drink mix for the Kool-Aid brand. You can also make 48 mini cupcakes instead of the full size cupcakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 221mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

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