Grape Soda Cupcakes (Printable View)
Fluffy grape-infused cupcakes with tangy purple buttercream frosting
# Ingredient List:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 2/3 cup grape soda
→ For Color and Flavor
09 - 1/4 teaspoon grape extract or flavoring
10 - Purple food coloring
→ Grape Buttercream
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2-3 tablespoons grape soda
14 - 1/4 teaspoon grape extract or flavoring
15 - Purple food coloring
16 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until incorporated.
05 - Add flour mixture to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with grape soda. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Stir in grape extract and a few drops of purple food coloring until desired color is achieved.
07 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
08 - Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
09 - In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
10 - Add 2 tablespoons grape soda, grape extract, and pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy. Add more grape soda, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed for desired consistency.
11 - Mix in purple food coloring until desired shade is reached.
12 - Frost cooled cupcakes with grape buttercream. Decorate with grape candies or sprinkles if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- These cupcakes capture that nostalgic grape soda flavor in an incredibly fluffy, tender cake that somehow feels grown-up and playful all at once
- The buttercream is tangy and not too sweet, letting the grape flavor shine without becoming artificial or overwhelming
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable here, as cold butter or eggs will prevent proper aeration and result in dense cupcakes
- Overmixing the batter once the flour is added will develop too much gluten, making the cupcakes tough instead of tender
03 -
- Use an ice cream scoop with a trigger release to portion batter evenly, ensuring all cupcakes bake at the same rate
- Let the buttercream sit for 10 minutes after mixing before piping, as it will firm up slightly and hold its shape better