If you’re searching for a playful and nostalgic treat that packs a burst of color and bold fruity flavor, Grape Crush Cupcakes are absolutely irresistible. These charming cupcakes feature soft, pillowy vanilla cake kissed with grape soda, hidden pockets of grape jelly, and dreamy grape buttercream, all crowned with a sparkly sprinkle or juicy grape on top. Whether you wanted a whimsical dessert to brighten up a party or just a sweet way to relive your favorite childhood soda flavors, Grape Crush Cupcakes deliver joy in every delightful bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Grape Crush Cupcakes is in how a handful of simple, everyday ingredients come together to create something magical. Each element is chosen for its ability to make the flavors sing and the texture perfect, so don’t skip or swap without good reason.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cupcakes their classic, tender crumb.
- Baking powder: Provides that perfect lift for fluffy, airy cupcakes.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the grape flavor pop.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Offers rich, creamy flavor and a moist texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite while helping with structure.
- Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and give the cupcakes body.
- Grape soda: Infuses the cake with fruity flavor and adds moisture—this is where the magic happens!
- Whole milk (room temperature): Keeps the crumb soft and lush.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a familiar, comforting aroma.
- Purple gel food coloring (optional): For an extra pop of color that hints at the bold taste inside.
- Grape jelly (optional): Nestles a surprise fruity center into each cupcake.
- Grape buttercream frosting: A silky, purple swirl to top each cupcake. (See notes for recipe.)
- Purple sanding sugar or fresh grapes: Perfect for a festive, eye-catching finish.
How to Make Grape Crush Cupcakes
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Get things started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cute cupcake liners. This makes cleanup a breeze and guarantees your Grape Crush Cupcakes look picture-perfect when you take them out of the tin.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures even distribution and helps prevent any little clumps from showing up later. Setting up your dry ingredients now makes everything blend seamlessly when it’s showtime.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this will take about 2–3 minutes. Creaming is the secret to a soft, tender crumb and beautifully risen cupcakes.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures each egg gets fully incorporated and helps keep your batter nice and smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that irresistible bakery aroma.
Step 5: Combine Grape Soda and Milk
Pour the grape soda and milk together in a measuring cup. This not only blends the flavors but also makes it easy to add them in the next step. The grape soda is not just for flavor—its bubbles lighten the batter, resulting in that classic tender cupcake texture.
Step 6: Alternate Adding Wet and Dry
With your mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the grape soda mixture (beginning and ending with the dry ingredients). Mix just until no streaks remain. If you want that signature Grape Crush Cupcakes hue, feel free to add a drop or two of purple gel food coloring at this stage.
Step 7: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for about five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The anticipation is part of the fun!
Step 8: Fill with Grape Jelly (Optional)
Once cool, use a small paring knife or cupcake corer to cut a hole in the center of each cupcake. Spoon about a teaspoon of grape jelly into the cavity. The jelly adds a playful surprise of juiciness that perfectly matches the punchy grape vibes of these cupcakes.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Slather or pipe grape buttercream frosting over the top of each cupcake, swirling high for a bakery-worthy look. Finish your Grape Crush Cupcakes with a sprinkle of purple sanding sugar or a fresh grape perched on top for that extra wow factor.
How to Serve Grape Crush Cupcakes
Garnishes
For a fabulous finishing touch, try a sprinkle of purple sanding sugar for sparkle or perch a fresh grape right on top. Both options add color and a playful nod to the bold grape flavor inside, making your Grape Crush Cupcakes totally irresistible on any dessert table.
Side Dishes
Pair your cupcakes with a bowl of fresh berries, a simple fruit salad, or even a fruity yogurt parfait for a lighter bite alongside the sweetness. Grape Crush Cupcakes also play well with a cold glass of milk, lemonade, or even more grape soda for a matching treat!
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Grape Crush Cupcakes into a party centerpiece by arranging them on a vintage cake stand or a tiered platter. For birthday parties or potlucks, wrap each cupcake in a little square of purple tissue paper and tie it with a ribbon for a cute, hands-on snack that everyone will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Grape Crush Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you live somewhere warm or humid, refrigerate them to keep the frosting fresh—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze unfrosted Grape Crush Cupcakes! Let them cool completely, wrap each in plastic wrap, and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature, then frost and decorate as usual.
Reheating
If you’d like to enjoy your cupcakes ever-so-slightly warm, just pop one (unfrosted or frosted) in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. This revives that freshly-baked aroma and gives the cake a super soft, just-made quality. Be careful not to overheat if they’re frosted!
FAQs
Can I use a different soda instead of grape?
You sure can! While grape soda gives Grape Crush Cupcakes their signature flavor, feel free to experiment with orange, strawberry, or black cherry for a new twist. The texture will stay pretty similar, just keep in mind the flavor will shift.
How do I make the grape flavor even stronger?
If you really want the grape to shine, use a concentrated grape extract or add a splash of grape juice along with the soda. You can also double up on the grape jelly filling!
What if I don’t have purple food coloring?
No big deal—the cupcakes will taste just as delicious! The food coloring is just for fun and visual impact, so skip it if you like. A natural grape soda will still tint your batter and frosting slightly purple.
Can I make Grape Crush Cupcakes gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute a good quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and check all your other ingredients to make sure they’re gluten-free. The baking time should be the same.
How do I get bakery-style, high domed cupcakes?
For tall, fluffy domes, make sure your baking powder is fresh and don’t overmix the batter. Filling your liners about two-thirds of the way and baking at 350°F gives the cupcakes plenty of lift without overflowing.
Final Thoughts
There’s something downright magical about sharing Grape Crush Cupcakes—whether you serve them up for a crowd or bake a batch just for yourself. Let your kitchen fill with the sweet scent of nostalgia and sunshine, and don’t forget to share your beautiful, purple creations with everyone you love. Happy baking!
Print
Grape Crush Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of Grape Crush Cupcakes. These soft, flavorful treats are infused with grape soda and topped with a luscious grape buttercream frosting, making them a perfect choice for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup grape soda
- 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple gel food coloring (optional)
- 1/2 cup grape jelly for filling (optional)
- 1 batch grape buttercream frosting (see notes)
- Purple sanding sugar or fresh grapes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the batter: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Combine grape soda and milk. Add dry ingredients and soda mixture to butter mixture. Mix until just combined, adding food coloring if desired.
- Bake: Divide batter into liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool before filling with grape jelly if desired.
- Frost and garnish: Frost cupcakes with grape buttercream, then garnish with sanding sugar or grapes.
Notes
- For the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup grape soda, and a drop of purple gel food coloring until fluffy. Adjust consistency with more sugar or soda if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
