Grape Crush Cupcakes 🍇🧁
Ready to bring the fun back into baking? These Grape Crush Cupcakes are a sweet and colorful treat that combines the fizzy joy of grape soda with the fluffiness of boxed cake mix—plus a surprise center of grape jelly for extra flavor! They’re perfect for kids’ parties, themed events, or anytime you’re craving a cupcake that’s playful, purple, and full of personality.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is a cupcake that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The soda not only enhances the vanilla cake mix, but it also keeps the cupcakes moist and adds a subtle grape flavor. The grape jelly filling is a juicy surprise in the middle, and the color? Let’s just say it’s guaranteed to make people smile.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 cup Grape Crush soda
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup purple grape jelly
Optional Add-Ons
- Purple or galaxy swirl buttercream frosting
- Edible glitter or sprinkles
- Grape candy or a jellybean topper
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix the Batter:
In a large bowl, combine vanilla cake mix, Grape Crush soda, vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Mix until smooth and fully combined—about 2 minutes with a hand mixer or whisk.
3. Fill the Cups:
Spoon batter into each cupcake liner, filling about ⅔ full.
4. Bake:
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Let cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Fill with Grape Jelly:
Once cool, use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove a bit of the center.
Spoon in ½ to 1 teaspoon of grape jelly, then replace the tops (optional).
6. Frost and Decorate:
Frost with your favorite buttercream—tinted purple for extra fun—and decorate with sprinkles, grape candies, or edible glitter.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the batter—just until it’s smooth.
- Use room temperature eggs for a fluffier cake.
- For the filling, slightly warm the jelly to make it easier to spoon in.
- Want more grape flavor? Add grape extract or a touch of purple food coloring to the batter.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
These cupcakes pair perfectly with:
- Unicorn Poke Cake for a magical dessert table
- Jolly Rancher Edible Shot Glasses for color-themed fun
- Ice Cream Sandwich Cake to cool things down
- Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies for a festive bake sale table
- Oreo Cream Pie for a creamy, contrast treat
Storage & Leftovers
- Room temp: Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Fridge: Once filled and frosted, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1 month. Thaw and fill/frost when ready.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re into fun, colorful treats, try:
Final Thoughts
These Grape Crush Cupcakes are more than just cute—they’re delicious, easy, and a total blast to bake and share. From the fluffy soda-spiked base to the sweet jelly center, every bite brings back that fizzy, fruity fun you loved as a kid.
💬 Baked them? Tag your purple cupcake creations and let us know how you styled them! Follow for more nostalgic desserts with a modern twist.
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