Dr Pepper Cupcakes

Have a Dr Pepper fan in your life? Then they’re going to love these! Rich and moist chocolate buttermilk cupcakes with a hint of their favorite fizzy soda.

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About Dr Pepper Cupcakes

If you’ve been searching for a new flavor to add to your cupcake game, then look no further than iconic Dr Pepper.

With a deep, bold flavor and hints of allspice, mint, and faint licorice, it’s no wonder that Dr Pepper has a devoted fanbase. And with these Dr Pepper cupcakes, now they can have a dessert infused with their favorite beverage, too.

These cupcakes have a mild Dr Pepper taste, but still very much there – and it’s all wrapped up in delicious chocolate. It’s hard to go wrong with chocolate buttermilk cupcakes, so it’s hard not to like them even if you’re not a Dr Pepper fan.

What’s in Dr Pepepr cupcakes?

• Dr Pepper – The star of the show! Both the cupcakes and the frosting are infused with this iconic flavor.
• All-purpose flour, unsalted butter, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, light brown sugar, and vanilla – Classic ingredients for baked goods and homemade frosting.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – Gives these cupcakes a chocolate edge that helps enhance the Dr Pepper flavor. Plus, the darker hue better matches the color of the soda.
• Buttermilk – Helps make these cupcakes extra moist and soft.

How much Dr Pepper should you add to the frosting?

In my recipe testing, I could safely add up to 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of Dr Pepper and still have rich, creamy buttercream frosting. When I got close to 3/4 cup, the frosting began to separate due to too much liquid.

The frosting split! Can it be fixed?

In recipe testing, there were some instances where adding too much Dr Pepper caused the frosting to appear separated or split.

But fear not! The frosting is not ruined. There are a couple of things you can do to save it:

• Option 1: Since buttercream frosting is a balanced emulsion of fats and liquids, it could be that the Dr Pepper introduced too much liquid for the frosting to handle. Blending in a tablespoon or two of vegetable shortening should help the frosting firm up again.
• Option 2: Refrigerate the frosting for 15-20 minutes, then try mixing again.
• Option 3: If you haven’t been already, use a whisk attachment and whip the frosting on high for a few minutes. Keep in mind that this will force more air into the frosting (which is typically not the goal with buttercream) but it should cause the frosting to fluff up and smooth out. However, using this could also impact how long the frosting keeps its shape, as it may deflate over time. It’s best to only use this method only if you plan to serve the cupcakes within the next few hours.

If none of the above options helped whip life back into your frosting, please check out this article for more suggestions: How to fix separated buttercream.

Can you make these cupcakes in advance?

Certainly! For best results, I recommend making them no further than 24 hours in advance.

How should these cupcakes be stored?

These cupcakes have buttercream frosting, and this is what determines the best way to store them.

If you plan on eating the cupcakes within 24-48 hours, it’s perfectly okay to store them at room temperature. However, keep in mind that the frosting may “settle” some during this time due to the liquid from the Dr pepper.

If you’d like to keep the cupcakes fresh for longer than two days, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the frosting will firm up once chilled, so if you’d prefer a softer texture, allow time for the frosting to soften at room temperature (typically one hour will do).

How long do Dr pepper cupcakes last?

When stored in a sealed container on the counter, cupcakes will remain good for one or two days. If stored in the refrigerator, cupcakes can last anywhere from four to six days.

Can you freeze Dr Pepper cupcakes?

Yes, you totally can! However, it’s best to freeze these cupcakes before they have been decorated. If you’ve already decorated the cupcakes, I highly recommend enjoying them while they’re still freshly made.

To freeze these cupcakes:

• Bake cupcakes per recipe instructions, then allow to cool completely.
• Wrap cupcakes in plastic wrap. You can either wrap them individually or arrange the cupcakes in a group (single layer) and wrap them together. Note: If you have already decorated the cupcakes and really want to freeze them, chill the cupcakes in the refrigerator until the frosting feels solid to a gentle touch (doesn’t smear) and gently wrap the cupcakes in plastic.
• Place wrapped cupcakes in a freezer bag or a storage container with a sealable lid.
• Cupcakes can be frozen for up to three months.

Notes & tips for Dr Pepper cupcakes

• Make sure you have enough muffin tins to make 22 cupcakes (total yield of this recipe, unless the serving size is adjusted in the recipe card below).
• Need cupcake liners? I used these: Foil Cupcake Liners.
• Don’t have any buttermilk? No problem! To make 1 cup of buttermilk: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a measuring cup. Next, pour in milk, filling up to 1 full cup. Let mixture sit for at least 5 minutes or until mixture begins to curdle. Give the mixture a whisk to fully incorporate, then use it in a recipe as directed.

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How to make Dr Pepper cupcakes

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Kick things off by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Set this bowl aside for now.

Step 2 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl) whip together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Step 3 – Mix in the dry ingredients, Dr Pepper, and buttermilk until a thick and fluffy batter forms.

Step 4 – Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, then fill each cavity about 2/3 of the way full with batter.

Step 5 – Bake!

Step 6 – While the cupcakes bake and cool, prepare the frosting by using a mixer to whip together the butter, salt, and powdered sugar. Slowly blend in the Dr Pepper, making sure the consistency of the frosting stays nice and fluffy.

Step 7 – Place the Dr Pepper buttercream frosting in a pastry bag with a piping tip of your choice and decorate the cooled cupcakes. Top each cupcake with a straw, if desired.

Step 8 – Serve and enjoy!