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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cupcakes

    Root Beer Float Cupcakes and Frosting

    Published: Sep 19, 2014 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Ang Paris · 6 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Sweet delicious shortcut root beer cupcakes with homemade root beer frosting - the root beer flavoring adds a wonderful flavor and rich caramel color!
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections Print Recipe
    These Root Beer Float Cupcakes are so fun for parties! You'll love this easy semi-homemade recipe that starts with a boxed cake mix. via @jugglingactmama

    This Root Beer Float Cupcakes and Frosting is easy because it starts with a boxed mix and gets some outrageous flavor.

    Close up image of root beer cupcakes topped with root beer barrel candy.
    Attention root beer lovers! If you love root beer floats, then these root beer cupcakes are for you!
    Jump to:
    • 🧂 Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • 🔪Instructions
    • 🍴 Serving Suggestions
    • 😋 Similar Recipes
    • Variations
    • Root Beer Float Cupcakes
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 💬 Comments

    Who doesn't love root beer floats? This cupcake form is an easy recipe and oh-so-decadent.

    I love the delicious flavor root beer adds to a recipe, but I didn't really want my kiddos to have sugary soda in their cupcakes - I mean, it's enough they're having cupcakes, right?  This recipe includes no soda at all and uses root beer flavoring instead.

    And, I used a doctored up boxed cake mix! GASP!

    Ok, so it's no secret that I often bake with boxed mixes. Let's face it, life is busy and I'll take all the shortcuts I can. When it comes right down to it, I'd rather spend extra time with my family, then baking from scratch. But, that doesn't mean we're skimping on taste. 

    My friends know that I always say you can get away with boxed cake mixes all day long if you make the frosting from scratch - which is a cinch!

    If you prefer to make your root beer cupcakes from scratch, use this Easy Vanilla Cupcakes recipe and add the root beer flavoring to it.

    I love the cream cheese in this frosting, which softens the sweetness and adds some creaminess to the texture. The root beer flavoring adds both flavor and a beautiful caramel color to the cake and buttercream frosting.

    🧂 Ingredients

    Cake

    • French vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box
    • root beer flavoring

    Frosting

    • butter
    • cream cheese
    • powdered sugar
    • milk
    • root beer flavoring

    I used a flavoring oil to achieve the root beer flavor. It is similar to an extract, but a bit stronger - in fact 3 to 4 times stronger - so much so that the first attempt ended up with a frosting that was waaaaay to "bicy" (spicy) as my daughter would say!  You need only about a quarter of the flavoring oil as you would need using a root beer extract, so it's a really great value.  Plus, the oils are gluten-free and Kosher certified.

    Equipment

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier!  Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Stand Mixer
    • Cupcake Pan and Liners
    • Cooling Rack

    🔪Instructions

    This is meant to be a brief overview of the root beer cupcakes and frosting recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

    Cake

    1. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the cake mix. Add in the root beer flavor with the eggs.
    2. Pour into cupcake papers or greased muffin tins and bake according to the directions on the box.

    Frosting

    1. While the cupcakes cool, remove the butter and cream cheese from the refrigerator to soften.
    2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until combined and soft. Add in about half the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Beat on low until combined.
    3. Add the remaining powdered sugar and again beat slowly. Add additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time until you have the desired consistency.
    4. For piping, I generally like a stiffer frosting. Insert your desired tip into your piping bag and then fill with the frosting. Be sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.

    🍴 Serving Suggestions

    You can get creative when decorating these root beer float cupcakes. I added some root beer barrel candies and fun paper straws (cut in half). 

    This thoroughly confused my 3-year-old who wanted to know why we needed to drink our cupcakes!

    😋 Similar Recipes

    • Delicious Blueberry Filled Cupcakes
    • Easy Vanilla Cupcakes
    • Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Maple Syrup Drizzle
    • No Bake Ice Cream Cupcakes
    • Key Lime Cupcakes with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Pink Velvet Cupcakes
    • Best Carrot Cupcake
    • Pomegranate Cupcakes
    • Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • S'mores Cupcake Recipe
    • Best Lemon Cupcake Recipe

    Variations

    • Use a white cake mix instead of French vanilla.
    • Instad of icing, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
    • Top your cupcakes with maraschino cherries instead of root beer candies.
    Close up image of root beer cupcakes topped with root beer barrel candy.
    These cupcakes have all the goodness of a classic root beer float - all with no soda needed!

    You're whole family is going to love these, and you can relax because there's no extra chemicals and sugar from the soda. 

    Sometimes, you just need to make small changes, be grateful for the time with your loved ones, and savor some delicious 'semi-homemade' cupcakes! 

    Not ready to make these flavorful cupcakes yet? Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

    Root Beer Float Cupcakes

    Sweet delicious shortcut root beer cupcakes with homemade root beer frosting - the root beer flavoring adds a wonderful flavor and rich caramel color!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: root beer cupcakes, root beer float cupcakes
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 366kcal
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Stand Mixer
    • Cupcake Pan
    • Cupcake liners
    • Cooling Rack

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 french vanilla cake mix plus ingredients called for on the box
    • 1 teaspoon root beer flavoring

    Frosting

    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 4 tablespoons cream cheese
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • milk
    • ¼ teaspoon root beer flavoring

    Instructions

    Cake

    • Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the cake mix. Add in the root beer flavor with the eggs.
    • Pour into cupcake papers or greased muffin tins and bake according to the directions on the box.

    Frosting

    • While the cupcakes cool, remove the butter and cream cheese from the refrigerator to soften.
    • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until combined and soft. Add in about half the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Beat on low until combined.
    • Add the remaining powdered sugar and again beat slowly. Add additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time until you have the desired consistency.
    • For piping, I generally like a stiffer frosting. Insert your desired tip into your piping bag and then fill with the frosting. Be sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 348mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy [email protected] says

      September 24, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Love it! Especially the frosting!!

      Reply
    2. Krissy Allori {self proclaimed foodie} says

      September 24, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Root beer flavor? How creative! These look awesome.

      Reply
    3. Hezzi-D says

      September 24, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      These look amazing! I love that you topped off each one with a root beer barrel!

      Reply
    4. Renee's Kitchen Adventures says

      September 24, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      You know, truth is, I love baking with boxed cake mixes! They are such a time saver and so versatile. Love you flavor choice!

      Reply
      • Ang Paris says

        September 29, 2014 at 4:09 pm

        I'm glad I'm not the only one out there that feels that way about cake mixes! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Alina says

      October 11, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Love this flavor combo! They came out wonderfully.

      Reply

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