Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

• In a separate large bowl, cream together the ½ cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

• Beat in the 2 large eggs one at a time, ensuring that each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.

Step 5: Incorporate the Grape Soda

• Gradually add the 1 cup of grape soda to the butter mixture. The soda adds a fun fizz, which will make the batter light and bubbly. If you want a more vibrant purple color, add a few drops of purple food coloring at this stage.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as you want the cupcakes to stay light and airy.

Step 7: Fill and Bake

• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. This will give the cupcakes enough room to rise without overflowing.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Once done, remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Grape Buttercream Frosting

• While the cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the 1 cup of softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the 4 cups of sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a powdered sugar cloud.
• Add the ¼ cup of grape soda and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then increase the speed and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. You can adjust the consistency by adding more grape soda for a thinner frosting or more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting. For an extra pop of color, add a few drops of purple food coloring.

Step 9: Frost the Cupcakes

• Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a piping bag or a spatula to frost them with the grape buttercream. Swirl the frosting on top of each cupcake for a beautiful finish.

Step 10: Decorate

• Now for the fun part—decorating! Add purple sprinkles, grape-flavored candies, or even a sprinkle of edible glitter to give your cupcakes a festive and playful look.