It’s no secret that I’m kind of a summer grinch. It’s not my favorite season but there is no denying that fresh summer produce rocks!! There is nothing quite like the sweet taste of blackberries plucked right off the bush or using juicy, ripened tomatoes in my old-fashioned tomato pie.  Yep, fresh foods make me so happy!

Oh and guess what else made me happy today? Baking mixes!!!

Pillsbury™ has come out with a new line of simple ingredient baking mixes called Purely Simple™! Oh. Em.Gee!!

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This is epic for me because Pillsbury is one of my favorite brands of baking mixes. I don’t use box mixes often, but this is a game-changer folks. This new line uses simple ingredients containing no colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

I mean look at that beautiful ingredients list!  Varieties include five Purely Simple Baking Mixes and two Purely Simple Frosting Mixes. I’ve already tried the Purely Simple chocolate chip cookies (amazing!!) and can’t wait to try the rest of them.

 They are available in grocery stores nationwide for about $3.29. I’ll keep you guys updated on what I think of all the flavors as I try them out!

I couldn’t wait to use this new cake mix for one of my family’s favorite summer cupcake recipes, Pink Lemonade Cupcakes! Another good thing about summer is that you can finally enjoy all of your favorite heirloom produce in your favorite heirloom recipes!

My grandmother uses to have a little organic lemon tree on her porch and it would produce the biggest lemons I’d ever seen. They made for some really good pink lemonade.

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When Crisco™ asked me to share a few of my favorite family heirloom recipes I was ecstatic!  You all know how much I love some butter-flavored Crisco shortening around here.

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This pink lemonade cupcake recipe is inspired by my grandmother’s highly requested pink lemonade that she made for us every summer. We’d sit out on her large, country porch drinking pitchers of ice-cold pink lemonade, swatting flies, and listening to her tell stories.

 

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Normally I’d start this recipe with a homemade white cake batter but we’ll be using Pillsbury Purely Simple White Cake Mix to make this recipe super quick and easy, all without sacrificing that old-fashioned taste. Promise!

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The frosting couldn’t be easier since we’ll be using Purely  Simple Buttercream Frosting and adding a splash of pink lemonade. Feel free to use your favorite pink lemonade recipe or store-bought pink lemonade. I have several lemonade recipes on this blog if you need a really good homemade recipe. These cupcakes will be delicious either way!

 

My husband knows my homemade cooking inside out and I was shocked that he didn’t ask “is this from a box?”.  I guess when you use pure and simple ingredients you get that pure and simple from-scratch taste. I’ll be sure to keep a stash of these baking mixes in my pantry.

pink lemonade cupcakes

I sprayed my cupcake liners with a little bit of Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray to prevent the bottoms and sides of the cupcakes from sticking to the paper liners. This is totally optional though. Just a little bakery tip I picked up.

 

These pretty cupcakes bake up so moist and fluffy! They are perfectly sweet with a nice hint of lemon. The creamy, sweet & tart pink lemonade frosting finishes them off beautifully!!

 

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Topped with a slice of fresh lemon and these cupcakes are ready to take to a picnic, bbq, baby shower or whatever kind of summer entertaining you have planned!

Watch me make these Pink Lemonade Cupcakes with Pink Lemonade Frosting from start to finish!

https://youtu.be/iA7_w4S1sOg

Get the Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

5 from 1 rating
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 18 cupcakes

Ingredients
 

  • PINK LEMONADE CUPCAKES
  • 1 box Pillsbury™Purely Simple™White Cake Mix
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
  • zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup pink lemonade
  • 2-3 drops red food coloring
  • Crisco™Original No-Stick Cooking Spray, optional

  • PINK LEMONADE FROSTING
  • 1 bag Pillsbury™Purely Simple™Buttercream Frosting Mix
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • Up to 1/4 cup pink lemonade
  • zest of 1 lemon, optional
  • 2-3 drops red food coloring
  • lemon slices, garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together cake mix and butter until mixture resembles large crumbs.
  • Add eggs, sour cream or yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice and pink lemonade.
  • Mix until combined.
  • Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring to achieve a pink color.
  • Spray cupcake liners lightly with Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray, if using.
  • Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full with batter.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Place cupcakes on a cooling rack to finish cooling.
  • Prepare frosting by pouring frosting mix into a large bowl.
  • Add butter.
  • Mix until butter is combined.
  • Add the pink lemonade a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  • Fold in lemon zest if using.
  • Add red food coloring.
  • Frost cooled cupcakes.
  • Garnish with lemon slices.
Author: Divas Can Cook
Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.

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This post is sponsored by Crisco. All opinions are my own.