Mountain Dew Cupcakes

Before I reveal the wonderful recipe and awesomeness that are these cupcakes I have to say that this picture does not do them justice. This is definitely one of those times where looks can be deceiving. They looked better in person, perhaps one of these days I will become a better food photographer. I will put it on my to do list. 

Anyway......

I am not much of a baker. That is one passion that never hit me, however I have found an appreciation for cupcakes and all their potential. This is thanks to my short stint as a Culinary teacher in which we made a lot of cupcakes for our many caterings.

But there is one thing I love, and that is Mountain Dew and I had one just about every day until I started drinking diet soda. Diet Mountain Dew is just not the same. 

If you are a gamer or even a Mountain Dew fan then you know that Mountain Dew recently released a special flavor promoting the launch of Halo 4 and it is this flavor of Mountain Dew that I made the wonderful frosting with and syrup you see the cupcake topped with. 

I of course am a gamer as is the rest of my family, so to celebrate the release of what is sure to be the best video game of the year and probably even the next, I made Halo 4 Mountain Dew cupcakes. So, without further ado, here is the recipe behind my devious mind.

Mountain Dew Cupcakes (Or as I like to call them Cupcakes of Awesomeness)

Yield: 18 cupcakes

1 Box of White Cake Mix

Mountain Dew with a Blast of Citrus Cherry flavor

Now I am a cheater when it comes to baking and thus I like things easy. So make your cake mix according to directions, only instead of adding water add Mountain Dew. The batter will be a redish-pink color. Fill liners about 2/3 full and no more, trust me on this. When I normally make cupcakes I fill them more than 2/3 full to get a nice round top that comes over the edge of the liner, and I did exactly that on my first batch of these cupcakes and they over flowed like lava. Bake as directed.

Mountain Dew Syrup

2 12oz. cans of Mountain Dew with a Blast of Citrus Cherry flavor

Pour both cans of Mountain Dew in a sauce pan and bring to a  boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce the temperature until it is only slightly boiling. Make sure to stir frequently. Simmer until the water has evaporated leaving what will look like a very small amount of syrup in the pan. Set aside to cool.

Mountain Dew Frosting:

2 8oz. Packages of Cream Cheese at room temperature

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

7-8 Tbsp. Mountain Dew Syrup (See above for directions)

In a mixer cream both packages of cream cheese. Then add powdered sugar 1/2 a cup at a time mixing until powdered sugar is well incorporated. Then begin adding syrup a couple of Tablespoons at a time ensuring to mix thoroughly after each addition. Color will be orange. Make sure to taste the frosting and add more syrup or sugar if it is not to your desired sweetness. Then drizzle left over syrup on cupcakes. For a stiffer frosting add more powdered sugar.

Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting then of course EAT and ENJOY! I bet you can't eat just one! 

"Devouring worlds one book and recipe at a time!"