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Grape Soda Cupcakes

Soft, fluffy cupcakes bursting with nostalgic grape soda flavor, topped with a swirl of purple buttercream.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Bakery
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cupcake Batter
  • 1 box white cake mix, 15.25 ounces Use white cake mix for vibrant color.
  • 3 large egg whites Room temperature for smoother batter.
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup grape soda Provides fluffiness.
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened grape drink mix
  • 4 to 6 drops purple gel food coloring Optional for deeper color.
Purple Buttercream
  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract Adds depth of flavor.
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted Sifting helps avoid lumps.
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • a few drops purple gel food coloring For coloring the frosting.
Optional Garnish
  • to taste purple sparkling sugar For decorating.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two standard cupcake pans with 24 paper liners.
  2. Combine the egg whites, vegetable oil, and grape soda in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
  3. Reduce mixer speed to low, gradually add white cake mix and grape drink mix, mix until smooth. Add purple gel food coloring for color.
  4. Divide the batter among the liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
Baking
  1. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, checking at 12 minutes for doneness.
  2. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Buttercream
  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.
  2. Add vanilla and almond extracts, mixing until incorporated.
  3. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and heavy cream, beating until smooth and fluffy.
  4. Add purple gel food coloring to achieve desired shade.
Frosting the Cupcakes
  1. Pipe the buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with purple sparkling sugar.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for better results. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent melting.