Here’s the truth: I didn’t plan to fall in love with peach cupcakes. They kind of snuck up on me, like that one summer song you didn’t think you liked until it became your anthem for the whole season. That’s these cupcakes. Light, peachy, fizzy-soft, and totally addictive in the best way.
What makes them magic? The combo. A box of cake mix (because we love shortcuts), fizzy peach soda for that surprising lift, and just enough peach Jello to make the flavor sing. They come out fluffy, golden, and loaded with mellow, summer sweetness.
And while they’re perfectly delicious on their own, I highly recommend going the extra mile and topping them with a cloud of Peaches Cream Cheese frosting. It’s creamy, dreamy, and just tangy enough.
If you’re a fan of fruity cupcakes, check out my lemon raspberry cupcakes or blueberry cupcakes, both are just as delicious and packed with flavor!
Why These Peach Cupcakes Are Everything
So Simple, Yet So Fancy: With just a box of French vanilla cake mix, a few simple ingredients, and a little peachy twist, you’ll feel like a pro baker without all the stress.
Made for Sharing: Whether you’re baking for a summer get-together or just need a treat to keep for yourself, these cupcakes will disappear fast.
Endless Customization: Want to add a bit of sparkle? Top them with a dusting of powdered sugar or a peach slice for an extra pop. Feel like making them your signature treat? Play around with the frosting, maybe a bit of cinnamon or ginger for a fun spin!
Guaranteed Compliments: Prepare yourself for a flood of “These are amazing!” You’ll be the hero of any party, picnic, or just your kitchen.
What Goes Into These Peach Cupcakes
- Boxed Vanilla Cake Mix – The shortcut to fluffy, dreamy cupcakes without the fuss. Easy, tasty, and perfect every time!
- Egg Whites – For that light, airy texture. Skip the yolks and savor pure, melt-in-your-mouth fluffiness.
- Vegetable Oil – Locks in moisture, ensuring each cupcake remains soft and delicate. It’s the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth feeling.
- Peach Soda – A fizzy twist that infuses each cupcake with sweet, peachy goodness. It’s like a burst of summer!
- Peach Jello – Enhances the peach essence while infusing the cupcakes with a lively burst of fruity flair.
- Salted Butter – Rich and creamy, it makes the frosting irresistible and balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract – The classic flavor that ties everything together and adds warmth to the cupcakes.
- Peach Jello (for Frosting) – A peachy punch for the frosting, turning it into a creamy, dreamy topping.
- Powdered Sugar – Makes the frosting smooth, sweet, and just the right consistency.
- Whole Milk – Adds creaminess to the frosting without being too heavy.
- Orange Food Coloring – Optional, but it gives your frosting that perfect peachy hue.
How to Make Your Peach Cupcakes
Get the Oven Ready
Kick things off by warming your oven to 350°F (175°C) for the perfect baking temp. Line your cupcake pans with cupcake liners. We’re setting ourselves up for success here!
Whisk Up the Wet Ingredients
In a big mixing bowl, add your box of vanilla cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, and that delightful peach soda. Yes, you read that right, peach soda! It’s going to add a burst of flavor that you won’t forget.
Blend all the ingredients using a stand mixer on medium speed until the batter turns silky and uniform. You want to see that batter come together like a dream, light and fluffy.
Peach Jello Magic
Here’s where the peach flavor really kicks in, add half of the peach Jello mix to the batter. Stir it in well until it’s all blended. You’ll see the batter take on a richer, peachy hue, and that’s exactly what we want. You’re halfway to cupcake heaven!
Fill Up Those Cups
Gently spoon the batter into the cupcake tray, stopping at two-thirds full to leave room for a beautiful rise. This gives them enough space to rise and fluff up perfectly, no messy overflow here!
Baking Time
Slide those cupcake tins into your preheated oven and bake for 19 minutes. Once the toothpick test shows no batter, your cupcakes are perfectly baked! Let them cool on a wire rack, patience here pays off when it’s time to frost.
Whip Up the Frosting
Now, let’s make that dreamy frosting! In a medium bowl, cream together your softened salted butter with a mixer until it’s light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This is where the magic happens, so let that mixer work its charm.
Peach Perfection in Frosting
Add in the vanilla extract and the remaining peach Jello mix. This is the secret sauce. Beat it until everything’s blended to perfection.
Add the Powdered Sugar
Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, blending in a tablespoon of milk after each addition to keep the texture smooth. Keep mixing until the frosting is thick and creamy, with those perfect stiff peaks. Don’t rush this part; we want that frosting smooth and luscious!
Time for Color
Want a touch of vibrant peachy color? Add a few drops of orange food coloring, and mix it in until it’s just the right shade. Don’t overdo it, just a little pop of color to make those cupcakes as pretty as they taste!
Frost Away
Now it’s frosting time! Fill your pastry bag with that creamy peach frosting and get creative. Swirl it on, pipe it high, or spread it on with a knife, just make sure you enjoy the process (and maybe sneak a little taste of that frosting, too!).
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Cupcakes Are Too Dense or Heavy
This usually happens if the batter is overmixed.
Mix the ingredients just until they’re combined. Over-mixing can incorporate too much air, making your cupcakes heavier. Gentle mixing is key!
Frosting Won’t Hold Its Shape
You might have used too much milk or not beaten the butter long enough.
Make sure the butter is softened but not melted, and beat it for a full 3 minutes before adding the other ingredients.
Also, if the frosting too soft, refrigerating it for about 15 minutes can help it firm up.
My Tips for Peach Cupcake Perfection
- Perfect Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too runny, just add a little more powdered sugar until it thickens. If it’s too thick, loosen it with a splash of milk or peach soda.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: For perfectly sized cupcakes, use a cookie scoop to fill your tins evenly.
- Dress Them Up: Garnish with fresh peach slices or a drizzle of peach glaze for a beautiful finishing touch.
How to Store Peach Cupcakes
For up to 3 days, store them at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Perfect for keeping them soft and moist.
If you want them to last a little longer, pop them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Ensure they’re stored in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
Freeze the cupcakes (without frosting) on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container. These will remain fresh for as long as three months. Frost them after thawing!
FAQs
What should I do if my cupcakes overflow while baking?
If your cupcakes overflow, it usually means that the batter was poured in too high or there’s too much liquid. Try filling the liners only to two-thirds next time for better results. If the batter still overflows, you might want to check if your oven temperature is too high, sometimes the heat causes the cupcakes to rise too fast.
How can I add more peach flavor?
If you want an even stronger peach flavor, try adding a bit of peach extract to the frosting or the batter. You could also sprinkle in finely chopped dried peaches for added texture and flavor throughout the cupcake.
Peach Cupcakes – The Perfect Dessert for Sunny Days
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix
- 4 large egg whites at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups of peach soda
- ½ cup of vegetable oil
- Half a box 3.4 oz of peach-flavored Jello
Peach Frosting:
- ½ box 3.4 oz of peach-flavored Jello
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar sifted
- 3 tablespoons whole milk adjust as needed for consistency
- A touch of orange food coloring
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the cupcake pans with your preferred liners.
- Combine the vanilla cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, and peach soda in a large bowl. Use a stand mixer on medium speed to blend until smooth and fluffy, creating a soft, airy batter.
- Incorporate half of the peach Jello mix into the batter, mixing it in completely. You’ll notice the batter turning a beautiful peachy color, this is the magic happening!
- Add batter to each liner, filling them roughly two-thirds full for proper rise.
- Put the cupcakes in the preheated oven for about 19 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool once they've finished baking.
- Beat the softened salted butter for 3 minutes until it's light and fluffy. Next, stir in the vanilla extract and the rest of the peach Jello mix, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing in milk after each.. Keep beating until the frosting reaches a thick, creamy consistency with stiff peaks.
- If you’d like, add a few drops of orange food coloring for a peachy hue and mix it in until you’re happy with the color.
- Once cooled, frost the cupcakes with the creamy peach frosting using a piping bag.
- Enjoy every moment of this sweet creation!
Notes
- If you’re not a fan of food coloring, skip it and let the natural peach hue shine through.
- Don’t skip cooling the cupcakes completely before frosting, they’ll be much easier to decorate!
- When mixing the batter, don’t overdo it! Just mix until it’s smooth and fluffy.
