Bake Your Way into Your Valentine’s Heart + Cupid’s Cupcakes Recipe

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and nothing says “I love you” like a home baked treat. You can make sweets with store bought cake mixes paired with better-for-you ingredients to make dessert a guilt-free pleasure. I was given a recipe for Cupid’s Cupcakes from Sparkling Ice Lemonade. Using the Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade in place of eggs and oil when using a traditional white cake mix can transform cupcakes from ordinary into extraordinary—plus you’ll be cutting out calories from the eggs and oil. The carbonation in the Sparkling Ice Lemonade becomes the rising agent needed for baking. It might sound crazy, but it works! And, it’s so easy. Plus, the flavor of Strawberry Lemonade in the cupcakes will kick it up a notch for an unexpected and yummy taste.

All you need is 12oz of Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade (it comes in a 17oz bottle, so be sure to measure it), one box of white cake mix in any brand, a bowl, and a whisk—no mixer needed. For the icing, one can of vanilla icing and 4 drops of red food coloring will give the perfect color of pink. It’s that simple. This recipe is great for beginners or for those with a lot of experience. Kids would have fun helping you make it.

Preheat the oven to 350, set up the cupcake pans and use cupcake papers for easy cleanup, pour the white cake mix in the bowl, slowly pour room temperature Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade into the bowl as you stir with a whisk until you have an almost lump-free batter. It’s okay if the mixture looks bubbly. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full with the batter and bake for 18-21 minutes. The cupcakes should spring back to the touch and a cake pick should come out clean when done. Let cool before frosting.

For the icing, empty the icing into a bowl, add four drops of red food coloring, and stir till the color is even throughout—it should be bubble gum pink in color. Ice the cupcakes after they have cooled. Embellish with sparkling colored sugar crystals, chocolate candy, or sprinkles if desired.

My family really enjoyed the cupcakes with the Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade flavor, and I loved baking them a treat made with better-for-you ingredients. It’s a win for Valentine’s Day!

Cupid’s Cupcakes Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Cupid’s Cupcakes Recipe

Creating a romantic Valentine's Day cupcake with a twist has never been easier. Check out this convenient, 4 ingredient recipe for delicious Cupid's Cupcakes!

Course Dessert

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 24

Author Sparkling Ice

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 box of white cake mix
• 12 oz of room temperature Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade

Icing

• 1 can of vanilla icing
• 4 drops of red food dye

Instructions

Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°
2. Line muffin pan with liners.
3. In a medium bowl combine your Sparkling Ice Strawberry Lemonade and cake mix, stirring with a whisk until most of the lumps are gone.
4. Fill each liner ½-2/3 full of batter.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes until cupcakes are springy and toothpicks comes out clean.
6. Let cool completely before frosting.

Icing

1. In a medium bowl combine vanilla icing with 4 drops of red food dye.
2. Divide evenly among cupcakes.