Yes — you can absolutely make neon-green Mountain Dew cupcakes, and they taste like citrusy carnival chaos in a paper liner. I tested this recipe until the glaze was glossy and the crumb stayed tender, and the result is a bright, fizzy cupcake with a springy lime-buttercream and a translucent Mountain Dew glaze that gives the whole thing that iconic electric color.
These cupcakes are playful, just sweet enough, and perfect for parties, kitschy bake sales, or whenever you want dessert to look like a sci-fi soda fountain. They use Mountain Dew in both the batter and the glaze so the neon flavor comes through without collapsing the cake. Expect 12 cupcakes with neon personality and a slightly sticky, glossy finish.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Mountain Dew (preferably chilled)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lime zest (from 1 lime)
- Optional: 1/4 tsp green gel food coloring for extra neon punch