Remember ordering the Shirley Temple? My kids loved to when they were little. I remember when I was kid thinking it was the coolest, prettiest drink I ever saw–the lemon lime soda, mixed with the red grenadine, topped off with a maraschino cherry!
These cupcakes are just like the drink. They are a low-cal version of an original cupcake. You might have heard of the “Diet Cola Cake” Weight Watchers recipe that has been passed around over the years…just take a cake mix (many times chocolate cake mix) mixed with 1 can of diet cola for a low cal alternative to egg and oil mixtures.
This is just another twist on that recipe.
I used a French Vanilla Betty Crocker Cake mix, added 1 can of Diet 7-UP along with 1/2 cup stemmed and chopped maraschino cherries.
Line a cupcake tin with papers and fill each on 2/3 full. Bake according to package directions.
That’s it!
Really.
You can keep this really light by just adding a dollop of Lite Cool Whip…but I just couldn’t leave it there, could I?!
Over at Gina’s Skinny Recipes {one of my favorite sites!} I came across her Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes. There she has a genius way of making a delicious, but lite topping. I have changed it up a bit for these cupcakes, but the original idea came from her.
Ingredients
- 1 box French vanilla cake mix (used: Betty Crocker Super Moist)
- 1 (12 oz.) can diet 7-UP
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, stemmed and chopped
- 2 T maraschino cherry juice
- Topping:
- 4 oz Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, softened
- ½ cup marshmallow cream
- 1 container lite Cool Whip
- 1 T maraschino cherry juice
- 24 maraschino cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- For Cupcakes: Combine all ingredients and beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Line cupcake tins with papers and fill 2/3 full with batter. Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely before topping.
- For Topping: In a medium bowl combine all ingredients, except cherries and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Top cooled cupcakes with a generous dollop of “lite icing” and top with a cherry.
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- Beauty and Bedlam
- Tip Junkie
- Tempt My Tummy
- Tuesday Night Supper Club
- Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes | Ginas Skinny Recipes
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About Jennifer
Wow looks delish and skinny too!
AS IF these are under 200 calories! These look delicious!
Wow those are gorgeous! I bet my kids would love them.
hi, LOVE the name of your blog!
what a great idea for cupcakes! they look so good, i will have to try 'em!!
Those are so pretty and I love the cherry on top! I used to love shirley temples
These are brilliant! I have a tub of maraschino cherries just begging to be used and these look too adorable to ignore
lovely recipe!
I always loved Shirley Temples! I must try these!! Thank you for stopping over at my blog and I'm delighted to "meet" you over here. Love your pics and am totally with you on the weight-loss journey too.
These are adorable. Will the frosting hold up overnight, or does it need to be made the day of serving?
Hi Maryanna!
The frosting will hold up overnight, just keep in the refrigerator.
What a fun idea! Love these.
Yum!! We love Shirley Temple's – these are so cute and we will definitely be trying them!
These look delicious! My girls love Shirley Temple's, I will definitely be making these!