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Make these easy lemon lime soda cupcakes with a cake mix! The light and airy cupcakes use citrus soda for the perfect sweetness and refreshing taste.

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lemon lime soda cupcakes

Who knew you could level up a boxed cake mix into fluffy, moist, and tasty lemon lime cupcakes? You don’t need to measure the ingredients meticulously to achieve the best cupcakes like a pro.

The fizz from the soda is the leavener in this lemon lime cupcake recipe to help the cupcakes rise and get the perfect structure and texture.

This lemon lime soda recipe also includes a quick and easy creamy frosting for the light and airy citrusy cupcakes.

What Are Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes?

Lemon lime soda cupcakes are made from a boxed white cake mix and lemon lime soda.

Instead of a typical cupcake recipe with flour, baking powder, sugar, milk, and eggs, soda cupcakes only need soda, vegetable oil, egg whites, and gelatin with the cake mix.

The soda becomes the leavener for the cupcakes to rise, and the other ingredients help with the texture, taste, and structure of the lemon lime cupcakes.

This means you don’t need to measure ingredients meticulously, and you can use common pantry ingredients to make light and moist cupcakes at home!

The lemon lime soda also adds a refreshing hint of citrus and sweetness, making this lemon lime soda recipe perfect for your summer dessert.

lemon lime soda cupcakes recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this lemon lime cupcake recipe because it’s so easy, and you’ll get perfectly light and delicious citrusy cupcakes with just a boxed cake mix and soda.

Here are what else to expect with these homemade lemon lime cupcakes:

  • Deliciously Easy Lemon Lime Cupcakes: Lemon lime soda cupcakes are one of the easiest homemade cupcakes. You don’t need to measure the dry ingredients meticulously like in other recipes, and you’ll still achieve deliciously airy and moist cupcakes like a pro!
  • Affordable Basic Ingredients: You only need a boxed cake mix, your favorite soda, egg whites, vegetable oil, and gelatin to achieve these refreshingly light lemon lime soda cupcakes. These ingredients are likely available in the pantry, so there’s no need for a trip to the baking store.
  • Versatile Lemon Lime Cupcake Recipe: You’re not limited to just using lemon lime soda. You can use any favorite citrus fizzy drink and even experiment with the flavor of the delicious cream cheese frosting in this lemon lime soda cupcake recipe.

What Do Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes Taste Like?

What if you turn your favorite refreshing lemon lime soda into a cupcake? The crisp, sweet taste with a hint of citrus on moist and light cupcakes with creamy frosting is a must-try dessert for any cupcake fan. 

These lemon lime cupcakes are not overly rich and sweet, perfect for picky dessert eaters.

The cream cheese frosting is also ideal for airy cupcakes, adding a creamy texture and light tangy flavor to each citrusy bite.

Bored of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes? It’s time to try lemon lime cupcakes with sweet and tangy frosting for a change!

lemon lime soda cupcakes from cake mix

Are Soda Cupcakes Healthy?

Like any other cupcakes, soda cupcakes are not meant to be nutrient-filled. Instead, they’re desserts that boost your mood because of their sweetness and richness.

These lemon lime soda cupcakes with cream cheese can be high in calories, so enjoy them in moderation and occasionally.

There’s no harm in getting yourself a quick cheer-up with a lemon lime soda cupcake now and then, especially if you enjoy a healthy diet regularly.

You can also modify this easy and delicious recipe according to your diet.

What Are The Benefits Of This Lemon Lime Cupcake Recipe?

The best thing about these lemon lime soda cupcakes is how easy they are to make with simple ingredients!

Make an impressive dessert with a cake mix and soda to wow loved ones with light and fluffy cupcakes, even as a beginner.

The lemon lime soda is the recipe’s leavener, and the cake mix means you don’t need to measure different ingredients to get the cupcakes to rise and get a mouthwatering moist, and airy texture.

The lemon lime flavor is also crisp with the right sweetness to be enjoyed even by those who find most desserts “too sweet.”

soda cupcakes

Ingredients For Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

LEMON LIME SODA CUPCAKE INGREDIENTS:

  • White cake mix – A versatile cake mix box with a light taste, perfect for the citrus flavor of lemon lime soda.
  • Vegetable oil – The secret to moist and mouthwatering lemon lime cupcakes.
  • Egg whites – Ensure they’re at room temperature before mixing them with other ingredients. Egg whites are responsible for giving your soda cupcakes structure.
  • Sprite or Jarritos – You can use any citrus soda you love, but lemon lime and lime are delicious crisp flavors, perfect with the cream cheese frosting.
  • Lime gelatin mix – Adds the refreshing lime taste to the cupcakes and makes your batter consistency perfect.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

  • Salted butter – The salty taste balances the tangy cream cheese and sweet cupcakes.
  • Cream cheese – Delicious tangy frosting base to pair with the light and subtly sweet lemon lime soda cupcakes.
  • Powdered sugar – Use powdered sugar for the smooth and sweet frosting.
  • Lime gelatin mix – Gelatin will help the cupcake frosting maintain its structure.
  • Vanilla – Subtle flavor to finish your cupcake frosting.
  • Half and half – Add it slowly when mixing the frosting, alternating with the sugar to maintain the right consistency.
  • Green food coloring – Use as many drops as needed to achieve the color, which is perfect for summer desserts.
  • Green sprinkles – Make your homemade cupcakes pop out more with sprinkles.

Tools Needed To Prepare Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Lemon lime soda

If lemon lime soda is unavailable, substitute it with any citrus soda you like. An example is orange soda, which goes well with the cream cheese frosting and lime gelatin flavors.

Lemon extract

Want more lemon flavor to these lemon lime soda cupcakes? Use two tablespoons of lemon extract and incorporate them after the eggs in the batter.

Lemon zest

You can add more citrus flavor to the creamy frosting with lemon zest. Grate a fresh lemon, but don’t include the white part of the rind.

How to Make Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE LEMON LIME SODA CUPCAKES:

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

Tools You Need

Instructions

Start by gathering and measuring all the ingredients for the lemon lime soda cupcakes.

lemon lime cupcakes

LEMON LIME SODA CUPCAKES:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line the muffin tin with the cupcake liners.

STEP 2: Pour the box of cake mix into a large mixing bowl and add the oil, egg whites, and lemon lime soda. Use a hand mixer on medium and mix the ingredients until everything is incorporated.

homemade lemon lime soda cupcakes

STEP 3: Stir in half of the jello and mix. Do not overmix.

lemon lime soda cupcakes ingredients

STEP 4: Pour the cupcake batter into the muffin tin to ⅔ full.

lemon lime soda cupcakes batter

STEP 5: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes and cool on the wire rack before frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

STEP 1: Cream butter and cream cheese with a hand mixer for two minutes or until fluffy.

lemon lime soda cupcakes frosting

STEP 2: Stir in the vanilla and the remaining jello.

lemon lime soda cupcakes frosting

STEP 3: Add a cup of sugar at a time with a tablespoon of half and half between each cup.

lemon lime soda cupcakes

STEP 4: Continue mixing until stiff peaks form, usually around two minutes.

STEP 5: Add a drop or two of the green food coloring until you achieve your desired color.

STEP 6: Fill the piping bag and frost your cupcakes.

STEP 7: Finish the frosted cupcakes with green sprinkles.

easy lemon lime soda cupcakes

What To Serve With Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

The refreshing, moist, and citrusy lemon lime soda cupcakes are the perfect summer desserts.

You can enjoy them after summer dishes like grilled seafood, pasta salads, or meat skewers. They’re not overly sweet and rich for cleansing the palate after heavy meals.

lemon lime soda cupcakes

Why not serve these light and easy lemon lime soda cupcakes with other citrus desserts and drinks? Impress loved ones with these citrus recipes:

Tips About Making Soda Cupcakes

Want to perfect these homemade lemon lime soda cupcakes? Keep these tips in mind!

  • Avoid overmixing the cupcake batter because it affects the structure and rise of the cupcakes. The batter is mixed to perfection once you can’t see the ingredients individually.
  • Take out all the chilled ingredients from the fridge for 15 minutes before work so they’re all at the same room temperature. This makes incorporating everything easier and avoids lumps and chunks in the batter that can affect the cupcake texture.
  • Is the frosting too stiff for piping? Just add one to two tablespoons of heavy cream to the frosting until you get the desired consistency. 

How To Store Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes Made From Cake Mix

Don’t worry if you have leftover lemon lime soda cupcakes. After cooling, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and consume them within two days.

But for more extended storage options, try these methods:

Fridge: You can store the frosted lemon lime cupcakes in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Wrap them in plastic and put them in an airtight container to keep them from drying.

Another convenient option is to store the cream cheese frosting in a separate airtight container and use it within three days. Then, get the ideal frosting consistency by letting it come to room temperature before whipping it with a hand mixer and transferring it to the piping bag.

Freezer: A great way to make cupcakes in advance is to freeze the batter in a lined muffin tray. Cover the tray with plastic wrap tightly before freezing, then put the frozen cupcakes in an airtight container.

Reheating: Remove their wrappers and let the chilled cupcakes sit at room temperature for an hour before serving.

If you’re baking frozen cupcake batter in cupcake liners, let them thaw before baking and add extra cooking time.

lemon lime soda cupcake recipe

What Is The Purpose Of Soda In Cupcakes?

The purpose of soda in cupcakes is they act as leaveners like baking powder and baking soda. These critical ingredients make the cupcakes rise with a light and fluffy texture.

What Is The Secret To Super Moist Cupcakes?

To get perfectly moist lemon lime soda cupcakes, follow the recommended amount of vegetable oil in the recipe. Then, store the cooled cupcakes in an airtight container to keep them from drying.

 FAQ About Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Can I substitute Sprite for another soda in soda cupcakes?

Yes, you can definitely use another soda in these cupcakes. For example, try Jarritos and make lime soda cupcakes.

How to tell if the lemon lime soda cupcakes are done?

The cupcakes are done once you insert a toothpick in the center of a cupcake, and it comes out clean. Do not overbake because the cupcakes will continue baking out of the oven from the residual heat.

When should the lemon lime soda cupcakes be frosted?

Only frost the soda cupcakes after they have cooled completely. If they’re still hot or warm, the frosting will fall.

Can you freeze frosted soda cupcakes?

Frosted cupcakes can be frozen for two to three months. The secret is to first freeze the frosted cupcakes for two hours to set the frosting.

Then, wrap each frosted cupcake securely with plastic wrap before arranging the wrapped cupcakes in a single layer inside an airtight container. Thaw before serving at room temperature, and enjoy!

Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Lemon Lime Soda Cupcakes

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Make these easy lemon lime soda cupcakes with a cake mix! The light and airy cupcakes use citrus soda for the perfect sweetness and refreshing taste.

Instructions

Start by gathering and measuring all the ingredients for the lemon lime soda cupcakes. 

LEMON LIME SODA CUPCAKES: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line the muffin tin with the cupcake liners. 
  2. Pour the cake mix into a large mixing bowl and add the oil, egg whites, and lemon lime soda. Use a hand mixer on medium and mix the ingredients until everything is incorporated. 
  3. Stir in half of the jello and mix. Do not overmix.  
  4. Pour the cupcake batter into the muffin tin to ⅔ full.
  5. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes and cool before frosting. 

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  1. Cream butter and cream cheese with a hand mixer for two minutes or until fluffy. 
  2. Stir in the vanilla and the remaining jello.
  3. Add a cup of sugar at a time with a tablespoon of half and half between each cup. 
  4. Continue mixing until stiff peaks form, usually around two minutes.
  5. Add a drop or two of the green food coloring until you achieve your desired color.
  6. Fill the piping bag and frost your cupcakes.
  7. Finish the frosted cupcakes with green sprinkles. 

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter. Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are no longer distinguishable.
  • It’s easier to incorporate all the ingredients in the batter if they’re at the same temperature. You can take out all the refrigerated ingredients 15 minutes before you start working, so they’re at room temperature. 
  • Add one to two tablespoons of heavy cream to the frosting if it’s too stiff for decorating. 

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 99mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 2g

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

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Conclusion

Want to level up your boxed cake cupcakes? Try these easy lemon lime soda cupcakes!

The soda is the leavener for the perfectly fluffy cupcakes with just the right sweetness and refreshing citrus taste.

lemon lime soda cupcakes

And to finish them, whip up a quick delicious frosting for a subtly sweet and tangy contrast in each bite.

If you liked these wonderful cupcakes, you’d love these equally easy but delicious desserts. Some are also made from a cake mix!

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