Description

These Grape Soda Cupcakes are a fun and colorful treat that combines the unique flavor of grape soda with a moist white cake base. Topped with a luscious purple grape-flavored buttercream frosting and optional purple sparkling sugar, they’re perfect for parties, celebrations, or anytime you want a whimsical dessert with a fruity twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

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
4–6 drops purple gel food coloring

Frosting Ingredients

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 oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a regular-sized muffin tin with cupcake liners to prevent sticking.
Mix wet ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), combine the egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, mix until the ingredients are well combined.
Add dry ingredients and color: Lower the mixer speed to low and add the white cake mix and the unsweetened grape flavored drink mix. Mix until just incorporated and the batter is a uniform color. For a deeper purple hue, add 2-3 drops of purple gel food coloring and continue mixing until no streaks remain.
Fill liners and bake: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. Start checking around 12 minutes to avoid overbaking. Remove cupcakes from the tin and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the frosting base: Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer in a large bowl (4-5 quarts), beat the softened butter with vanilla and almond extracts on medium-high speed for 1 to 1 ½ minutes until light and fluffy.
Add powdered sugar and cream: Lower mixer speed to low. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream (2-3 tablespoons) to achieve a smooth consistency. Continue until all powdered sugar is incorporated.
Mix frosting thoroughly: Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is completely smooth and well combined.
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.
Fill piping bag: Spoon the frosting into a disposable piping bag fitted with a shaped tip, or use a gallon-size ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.
Frost the cupcakes: Hold the piping bag tip about ½ inch above each cooled cupcake’s surface. Gently squeeze with steady, even pressure to pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern over the cupcakes.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the finished cupcakes with purple sparkling sugar if desired. Serve and enjoy your colorful grape soda cupcakes.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature egg whites to ensure better incorporation.
Adjust purple gel food coloring to achieve your preferred color intensity.
Start checking cupcakes for doneness early as oven temperatures vary.
Use sifted powdered sugar to avoid lumps in the frosting.
If frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy cream one teaspoon at a time until spreadable.
These cupcakes are best served the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

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

Keywords: grape soda cupcakes, grape cupcakes, purple cupcakes, unique cupcake flavors, grape soda dessert, homemade grape frosting