Orange Crush Cupcakes
Deliciously soft and citrusy cupcakes made with Orange Crush soda for a fun and festive treat, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredients
- 1 box white or vanilla cake mix White gives a brighter color; vanilla adds warmth.
- 1 cup Orange Crush soda Use regular Orange Crush for best results.
- 3 large eggs Essential for rise and fluffiness.
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil Keeps cupcakes moist; can be swapped with melted butter.
- 1 teaspoon orange zest Optional, but recommended for extra flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional, helps round out the flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, Orange Crush soda, eggs, vegetable oil, and optional zest or vanilla.
- Mix until smooth, about 1 minute on medium speed; scrape the sides to ensure no dry pockets.
- Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full to prevent spilling over.
- Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the tops spring back and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- For orange buttercream, beat butter until fluffy, mix in powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and a splash of Orange Crush or orange juice, along with additional zest to taste.
Notes
Don't overmix the batter. Use an ice cream scoop for even portions. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent a glossy mess.