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Grape Crush Cupcakes

Grape Crush Cupcakes That Taste Like Childhood Summers

These cupcakes taste like those sticky purple fingers from drinking Grape Crush straight from the can. The kind you'd sneak into the movies in your backpack. I made these for my nephew's birthday and the whole kitchen smelled like grape soda and nostalgia. The batter's got that electric purple color that makes everyone stop and go 'wait what IS that?' before they realize it's just childhood in cupcake form. They're sweet and tangy and honestly a bit of a mess to make, but that's half the fun.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box white cake mix — the plainest one you can find
  • 1 cup grape soda — the real stuff, not diet
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup grape soda for frosting
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • Purple food coloring — optional, but why not go full chaos
  • Sprinkles — because everything's better with sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners. I always forget this step and end up with sad stuck cupcakes.
  • Mix cake mix, 1 cup grape soda, eggs, and oil in a big bowl. It'll be weirdly purple and fizzy. That's the magic happening.
  • Pour batter into liners about 2/3 full. They'll puff up like little purple clouds.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a carnival.
  • Let cupcakes cool completely. I know you want to frost them now, but don't. Trust me on this.
  • For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time while cursing quietly.
  • Mix in 1/2 cup grape soda. It'll look like a mess. Keep beating until it smooths out.
  • Add purple food coloring if you're feeling extra. I always do because why be subtle?
  • Frost cooled cupcakes. If they're still warm, you'll have purple soup. I've been there.
  • Top with sprinkles and try not to eat them all before the party starts.

Notes

Okay so the grape soda is NON-negotiable here — don't try to swap for juice, it won't work. I tried once and ended up with sad lavender cupcakes. Also, the batter will look like a science experiment gone wrong, that's normal. Let them cool completely before frosting or you'll have purple soup. I learned that the hard way. And yes, the frosting is supposed to taste like melted ice cream. Don't you dare use diet soda, I'm watching you.