Valentine Pink Champagne Cupcakes (Printable)
Light, fluffy cupcakes infused with sparkling pink grape juice and creamy pink buttercream frosting.
# What You Need:
→ Cupcakes
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 cup sparkling pink grape juice, non-alcoholic
09 - 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
10 - Pink food coloring, optional
→ Pink Champagne Buttercream
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 tablespoons sparkling pink grape juice, non-alcoholic
14 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
16 - Pink food coloring, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - In a small bowl, combine sparkling pink grape juice and milk.
06 - Add flour mixture to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with juice mixture—beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
07 - If desired, add one to two drops of pink food coloring and gently mix for a rosy hue.
08 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Add sparkling pink grape juice, vanilla, salt, and one drop of pink food coloring if using. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
11 - Pipe or spread buttercream onto cooled cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sparkling grape juice gives these cupcakes a subtle fruity flavor that even the pickiest eaters cant resist while keeping them perfectly alcohol-free for everyone to enjoy.
- The pretty pink color happens naturally from the juice, though you can dial up the rosy hue with food coloring for that perfect Instagram moment without any artificial taste.
02 -
- Opening the oven door before the cupcakes have baked for at least 15 minutes can cause them to sink in the middle, so resist the temptation to peek too early no matter how amazing they smell.
- The sparkling grape juice loses its fizz quickly once opened, so measure it right after opening the bottle to capture those bubbles that will make your cupcakes extra light and airy.
03 -
- The secret to that bakery-style domed top is to start baking at 400°F for just 5 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for the remaining time, creating that perfect rise without overbaking.
- When making the buttercream, whip the butter alone for a full 3-4 minutes before adding any sugar – this incorporates air that makes your frosting incredibly light and smooth, almost like whipped cream but with much better stability.