Description

These Grape Soda Cupcakes combine the nostalgic fizz of grape soda with a classic white cake base, creating moist, flavorful cupcakes with a fun purple hue. Topped with a creamy, lightly flavored grape frosting and a sprinkle of sparkling sugar, these cupcakes offer a delightful treat perfect for any celebration or grape soda lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

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 (optional for deeper color)

Frosting

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
Purple sparkling sugar (optional garnish)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a regular-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), combine the egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, mix until well combined.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Lower the mixer speed to low and add the white cake mix and unsweetened grape flavored drink mix. Mix just until incorporated and the batter is uniform in color. For a deeper purple, add 2-3 drops of purple gel food coloring and mix until no streaks remain.
Bake the Cupcakes: Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Start checking around 12 minutes as oven times may vary. Remove cupcakes and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting Base: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with vanilla and almond extracts on medium-high speed for 1 to 1½ minutes until light and fluffy.
Add Powdered Sugar and Cream: Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream until fully incorporated.
Finish Frosting: Increase mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth and well combined.
Color the Frosting: Lower speed to medium and add 4-6 drops of purple gel food coloring, mixing until color is uniform with no visible streaks.
Pipe the Frosting: Fill a piping bag fitted with a shaped tip or a gallon ziplock bag with a corner cut off with the frosting. Hold the tip about ½ inch above cooled cupcakes and apply steady pressure to pipe frosting in a spiral pattern.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle purple sparkling sugar on top of the frosted cupcakes for extra sparkle and serve.

Notes

Use room temperature egg whites for better incorporation.
Make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
Adjust purple gel food coloring amounts to achieve desired color intensity.
If you don’t have a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a small corner cut works well.
Check cupcakes early as oven temperatures vary to avoid over baking.
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: grape soda cupcakes, grape cupcakes, purple cupcakes, soda flavored cupcakes, party cupcakes, grape frosting