I ‘whipped up’ these cupcakes because someone that I worked with asked me if I could create a ‘healthy’ version of lemon drop cupcakes. Traditional lemon drop cupcakes are nothing more that just a lemon cupcake, with a lemon cream filling! My mind began turning, thinking about how I was going to create a light and lemony treat…And I instantly thought back to my Sweetheart Cupcakes! It was then that I knew that a lemon-lime soda would be ‘in-the-mix’ of my next recipe creation! 
Lemon just screams spring/summer to me…And I find it to be quite refreshing after a winter full of ’comfort food’ and filling desserts! I ended up bringing some of these cupcakes into work the other day, and the nurses that I work with told me that they were thrilled at how flavorful these cupcakes were! I can promise that you that you (and whoever you serve them to) will be delighted with the light and lemony sweetness of these lemon drop cupcakes as well!
56 Comments
lisa said:
wow! these look scrumptious! reminds me of that show Cupcake Wars ;)
I’m going to look for a natural, no trans fat cake mix so I can try this :)
Emily said:
SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!
Elyse said:
Yah! I’m having my parents over for dinner tomorrow and couldn’t decide on what to make for dessert! This is perfect, Thanks Katie :)
Natalie Hemsley said:
Yum!! Cupcakes are my weakness. I will have to try these. Your pictures look great!!
Amy said:
Is the calorie count for diet soda or regular lemon lime soda?
Tina said:
I want to make these soon. LOVE lemon desserts and these look uh-mazing!
Cassie said:
These look amazing! I’m going to attempt to make a vegan version for my household soon probably using Diet Squirt [my favorite!]!
jaclyn@lifeoftodayslady said:
These look delicious!!! Mmmmm I’m crazy for lemon desserts :)
Also, great pictures and I’m so jealous of your cute apron!!!
Cara said:
These look great! They look so light and refreshing! I love lemon desserts,or lemon everything come spring and summer!
Lindsey said:
These are gorgeous and look delicious! Definitely trying these in the near future, thank you! :)
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat said:
Wow Katie! I had no idea that just mixing pop and cake mix would actually make cupcakes! These sound delicious and so spring-y. I’m totally bookmarking these for my next cupcake-making affair! :)
kate@ahealthypassion said:
your photos are gorgeous and these cupcakes look delicious!!!
Sami said:
you have a way of making every recipe look appealing! maybe it’s the cute aprons or the colorful photography ;) i don’t even really LIKE lemon, but these look yummy! xo.
Megan@Dirty Dishes Daily said:
Lemon+Sweet treats= Happiness. I love lemon flavored goodness.
Katie Farrell said:
I agree Megan! :) xoxo
Ginger&Rice said:
mmm, those look fantastic! You are an amazing baker. I love to bake, but I’m not very talented with it. (yet!)
Sarah said:
These do look yummy! Gonna have to try sometime!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) said:
Those cupcakes are adorable. I love the lemon and frosting, definitely made for Spring :D
Marci said:
These look yummy! Can I ask a question about using diet soda? Does it make the cupcakes taste sweeter or too sweet? Do you think I could use lemon-lime seltzer instead? I’ve never made cupcakes with soda before so I’m a little nervous. Thanks!
ashley said:
amazingness!
Jenn said:
Making these for my coworkers tonight :-)!!!
Jenn said:
Okay so I DIDN’T make them for my coworkers… yet! LOL, but soon. I am so impressed that soda and a cakemix can make cupcakes!
Megan said:
These were a big hit! And so much fun to make! Would this work with other flavors, same concept? Oh I put fresh blueberries on top of the icing too!
monika said:
amazing cupcakes! i put lemon zest and blueberries in mine!
Katie said:
I made these and they are great, but I think the amount that you listed for the pudding box is incorrect. It looks like the normal smaller size box of pudding in the pic but your recipe says 8oz of pudding mix… I couldn’t find any boxes that big!
Jenn said:
I keep forgetting that I want to try a cake mix with a soda to make cupcakes. Thanks for reminding me!! Your whipped frosting looks so pillowy. Great touch with the yellow jimmies on top!
Susan said:
I have only been on your website for 15 minutes and think it would be wonderful if you either publish a cookbook or have your own FoodTV show!! I joined WW yesterday, and in my search to enjoy it and not feel as though I am on a diet, found your website. It is very well put together, recipes look delish! Thank you for taking the time to put together such a great site! :)
Amy said:
Love these! I had no idea you could just mix soda with cake mix and get such moist cupcakes! I gave the recipe a little twist and separated the frosting into two batches. One I left as is, the other I mixed with pureed strawberries and strawberry preserves and a bit more whip cream and used that as the filling. Now they are strawberry lemonade cupcakes! Yum!
Marianne said:
question: When making these should I follow the instructions ont he box that say to add eggs, or just mix in the soda to the dry mix and go?
Thanks!
Sierra Koepfle said:
I made these today but the frosting was really runny :( I used Nonfat milk instead of skim. Do you think that would have done it?
Lisa said:
These look so pretty! Thank you for this recipe. I’m on weight watchers and I’m always looking for a low point goody! I made some today using a white cake mix and Fanta Zero orange with white chocolate pudding for the frosting. I can’t wait to try one later. Sierra, did you use only 1 cup of milk? (Not the 2 that the box states for pudding?)
Brittany said:
Love your blog!! My husband and I made these for dessert tonight and they are so amazing. Your blog is so inspiring and my husband and I have found a number of recipes that we plan to try. Thank you so much for sharing your hard work with everyone! :)
Lori said:
Can you use the f/f cool whip???
Monica said:
These were wonderful! I can’t wait to try other combinations for that frosting – amazing! Thank you and good luck with your new venture into full time.
lisa said:
I tried making these today. I couldnt find ff sf lemon pudding, so i used vanilla and added lemon extract. the only thing is that i didnt see 8 oz box of pudding. I figured you meant 8 serving, so i used 2 boxes. it came out very lumpy. i added more milk and tried to save it by putting in a mixer, still a little lumpy but better. is it a small box of pudding mix or the next size up?
Susannah said:
OK WAIT. First these look amaaazing, Second is it JUST the mix and the soda, you don’t add the eggs and oil and water from the directions on the box? That’s insanely awesome if so.
Tasha Tinagero said:
I’m about to go make these, but I think I’ll add in some fresh blueberries…interested to see how it turns out!
Katie Farrell said:
diet :)
Katie Farrell said:
thanks so much jaclyn! :) it was a gift from my amazing aunt! :)
Katie Farrell said:
great idea cassie! :)
Katie Farrell said:
Me too Tina!
Katie Farrell said:
thanks lindsey!!!
Katie Farrell said:
Thanks Kate! :)
Katie Farrell said:
haha thanks sami! your too cute!
Katie Farrell said:
thanks ginger! :)
Katie Farrell said:
they sure would megan! :)
Katie Farrell said:
great idea monika!
Katie Farrell said:
thank you so much susan! what an amazing compliment! i am coming out with a cookbook, and hope to get it out by november!
Katie Farrell said:
yes that is correct marianne! no eggs or oil or water just the diet soda!
Katie Farrell said:
did you mix the milk with the dry pudding mix and then add the cool whip? also did you place it in the fridge to let it set?
Katie Farrell said:
HI Lisa, that is most likely what happened… But what will help next time to get the lumps out is just to whisk the milk while pouring in the pudding mixture… it helps lumps to not form at all in the first place, because once they form they sure are stubborn as you found! :)
Katie Farrell said:
thats correct susannah! :)