I’m not a fan of Mountain Dew, but I tasted a cupcake in Topeka, Kansas that was enough to make me holler, “Ya-Hoo”. By golly, it did seem to tickle my innards- as the slogan claimed. I thought the unusual treat was fantastic and I loved its green color. I’d describe the taste as sparkling with lemon and lime flavors. 

When I recently decided to bake cupcakes for a friend’s birthday, I thought I’d try the recipe. Although my cupcakes seemed rather dense, they were still very flavorful and tangy.  I’d make them again.

Mountain Dew Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• zest from half of a lemon
• zest from one lime
• 2 eggs
• 1-1/3 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup Mountain Dew
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3/4 tsp orange extract
• neon geen food coloring, if desired

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add lemon and lime zest, then add eggs, one at a time.
4. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. In a large cup, stir together Mountain Dew, lemon juice, lime juice, and orange extract.
6. Add half of the flour mixture to the batter.
7. Stir in the Mountain Dew liquid, and finish off with the rest of the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
8. Fill each baking cup 2/3 of the way full.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Let cupcakes rest in pan for a few minutes before removing.
11. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Mountain Dew Buttercream

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp Mountain Dew
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/2 1/4 tsp orange juice
• zest from half of a lemon
• zest from one lime
• neon green food coloring

Directions

1. Cream together butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar.
2. Add Mountain Dew, lemon juice, lime juice, orange extract, and zests.
3. Add remaining two cups of sugar (you can add more or less depending on your desired consistency).
4. Stir in one or two drops of green food coloring, making sure the dye is fully incorporated before frosting.

Read this and other food blog stories on Wanderfood Wednesdays.