These soft and fluffy, easy Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes start with a cake mix and homemade raspberry lemonade frosting. Add a fresh raspberry for a delicious, fresh take.
This recipe was originally published in July 2012. I updated the recipe notes and added new images in May 2026.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
I have to let you guys in on a little secret. I cheated when I made these raspberry lemonade cupcakes. How you ask? I used a box cake mix.
Now, before you gasp loudly or start to judge me, you should know that it’s not very often that I use a box of cake mix. But every once in awhile, it is a necessity. (Umm, remember these amazing cake mix cookies???)
So I used my trusty box cake mix for these raspberry lemonade cupcakes and they ended up turning out great. And in the end, that’s all that really matters, right?
The real key to these lemonade cupcakes is actually in the raspberry buttercream frosting anyway. And that is not from a container.
I used a tangy raspberry lemonade concentrate to make the frosting from scratch and it really gives these lemon cupcakes a nice zing!
The taste of raspberries and lemons gives these cupcakes a sweet and tart flavor that is perfect for a birthday party, summer day, or yep you guessed it, swim team! You’ll see this flavor paired in my raspberry lemon cookies too!
Enjoy!
Here’s What You’ll Need
After years of baking from scratch, sometimes a shortcut recipe is called for. Especially one as easy and delicious as these cupcakes. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with measurements.
- Cake Mix- The combination of a white cake mix with the lemon gelatin is delicious. Creates a fluffy soft cake. You could also swap the cake mix for lemon for an even more tangy citrus cupcake.
- Oil & Water- Adds moisture and a soft texture.
- Raspberry Lemonade Concentrate- this gives the frosting the tangy flavor. You could also swap it out for 2 Tablespoons of raspberry jam and the juice of one lemon.
How to Make Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes
- Fill cupcake liners half full with batter and bake for about 15 minutes. The cupcakes are done once a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Fill a decorator piping bag (I use Tip 2D) and pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with sparkly coarse sugar if desired and top each cupcake with a fresh red raspberry.
Tips and Tricks
Flavor Tips:
- If you want a more intense raspberry flavor, add dried raspberries to the frosting like I do in my Strawberry Almond Cake recipe. To do this, just pop some freeze dried raspberries in a food processor or freezer sealed bag to make crumbs and then add it into the frosting mixture.
- Add lemon zest to the batter for even more citrus punch.
Baking Tips:
- Don’t overfill the liners.
- Don’t overbeat the batter.
Storage Tips:
- Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze cupcakes for up to 30 days in a freezer safe container.
More Cupcake Recipes
- These Lemon Coconut Cupcakes and Lemon Cupcakes are the perfect zesty treat for the summertime! Add some of creamy Lemon Buttercream Frosting on both of them for the perfect bite!
- Try out a batch of these classic Carrot Cake Cupcakes with some tangy and homemade Cream Cheese Frosting on top!
- Lemon Pudding Cupcakes are a hit wherever you take them, and whatever time of year it is! Just like these S’mores Cupcakes too!
- Make some zesty Pineapple Orange Cupcakes that are packed full of your favorite fruity flavors! Same with this delicious Raspberry Lemon Cake!
My readers love fresh berries, especially when topped on these delicious Lemon Cheesecake Bars! Love these Almond Wedding Cupcakes with delicious raspberry filling!
Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes Recipe
#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }
Ingredients
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 box lemon jello gelatin powder, 3 ounce
- 3 large egg whites
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cup water
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 7 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 2 drops red food coloring, optional
Instructions
-
Line cupcake tin with paper liners and set this aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
-
For the cake, add cake mix, jello, egg whites, oil and water in a mixing bowl. Beat 2 minutes until blended.
-
Fill cupcake liners half full and baking in a 350 degree oven for about 18 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
-
For the frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, raspberry lemonade and food coloring on high for 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Fill a decorator bag (I used tip 2D) and pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Top with fresh raspberry.
Notes
- If you want a more intense raspberry flavor, add dried raspberries to the frosting like I do in my Strawberry Almond Cake recipe. To do this, just pop some freeze dried raspberries in a food processor or freezer sealed bag to make crumbs and then add it into the frosting mixture.
- Try swapping out raspberry lemonade concentrate for several tablespoons of raspberry jam and fresh lemon zest or lemon juice.
- The white cake mix and lemon-flavored jello combined creates a delicious lemon flavor. You could also swap out the white cake mix for lemon flavor cake mix and omit the gelatin altogether.
- See blog post for more tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Easy Cupcake Recipes
Coconut Cupcakes
Salted Caramel Swiss Meringue Frosting
Copycat Hostess Cupcakes
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes are a quick and easy summer dessert with a tangy sweet frosting!