Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes are a bright and bubbly twist on classic cupcakes—made with lemon-lime soda for extra moisture, lift, and a subtle citrus kick. These cupcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with zesty flavor, topped with swirled lemon and lime frosting for a colorful finish. They’re perfect for summer parties, birthdays, or anytime you want a refreshing dessert that’s a little out of the ordinary.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Made with lemon-lime soda for a light, airy texture
• Bursting with fresh citrus flavor
• Fun and colorful—perfect for parties and holidays
• Quick to make using a box mix base
• Easily customized with your favorite frostings or garnishes

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cupcakes:

• White cake mix
• Lemon-lime soda (like 7UP or Sprite)
• Vegetable oil
• Egg whites

For the frosting:

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Milk or half-and-half
• Lemon gelatin powder
• Lime gelatin powder
• Optional: yellow and green food coloring

directions

1. Preheat the oven:
   Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Make the batter:
   In a large bowl, mix cake mix, lemon-lime soda, vegetable oil, and egg whites until smooth. Do not overmix.
3. Fill and bake:
   Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
4. Prepare the frosting:
   Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.
5. Flavor and color the frosting:
   Divide frosting into two bowls. Stir lemon gelatin and yellow coloring into one, and lime gelatin and green coloring into the other.
6. Decorate the cupcakes:
   For a swirled effect, place each frosting into its own piping bag, then insert both bags into a larger piping bag fitted with a large tip. Pipe swirled lemon-lime frosting onto each cupcake.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 24 cupcakes
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 35–40 minutes

Variations

• Zest it up: Add lemon or lime zest to the batter for more citrus pop
• From scratch: Use homemade vanilla cupcake batter and swap in soda for some of the liquid
• Soda swap: Try orange soda or cream soda for a fun twist
• Topping fun: Garnish with candied citrus slices, sprinkles, or edible glitter

storage/reheating

Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Bring to room temperature before serving. These are not suitable for freezing with frosting, but unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Why use soda in cupcakes?

Soda adds moisture and lift, making cupcakes soft and fluffy without extra eggs or dairy.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes! Yellow or lemon cake mix works great too for an extra citrusy base.

What’s the best soda for this recipe?

7UP, Sprite, or any clear lemon-lime soda. Avoid diet soda for best texture.

Can I make these cupcakes from scratch?

Absolutely—just replace the liquid in your vanilla cupcake recipe with lemon-lime soda.

Are these cupcakes overly sweet?

They’re sweet but balanced by the tartness of the lemon and lime gelatin in the frosting.

Can I skip the food coloring?

Yes, the flavor will remain the same without it—just not as visually vibrant.

How can I make the frosting more tart?

Add a small splash of lemon or lime juice to the frosting.

Can I use soda water instead of lemon-lime soda?

It’s possible, but you’ll lose the sweet citrus flavor soda provides.

How do I get the swirled frosting effect?

Use two piping bags inside one large bag fitted with a tip, and pipe as usual.

Are these good for kids’ parties?

Yes! They’re colorful, fun, and flavorful—perfect for birthdays and themed events.

Conclusion

Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes are a fun and flavorful dessert that brings bright citrus vibes to any occasion. With a soft, soda-infused cake and a playful swirled frosting, these cupcakes are a cheerful treat that’s sure to stand out. Whip up a batch for your next party or bake sale—they’re as easy to make as they are to enjoy.

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