Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes made with Coca-Cola, filled with cherries, topped with a Coca-Cola glaze, whipped cream frosting and cherry on top!

Nothing says fun quite like turning one of your favorite drinks into cupcakes. In the past, I’ve introduced you to Limoncello Cupcakes and Margarita Cupcakes; this time I left the alcohol behind and created a cupcake tribute to one of my favorite bubbly drinks as a kid.

My parents didn’t routinely keep sweets or pop in the house while we were growing up, so we really only got them when it was a special occasion (birthday party/sleepover) or we were eating away from home. I always remember getting a Cherry Coke when we’d find ourselves at Eat n’ Park grabbing dinner. I don’t know why I associate my Cherry Coke consumption with that particular restaurant, but I don’t remember having it anywhere else. Needless to say, when I saw this rendition of a childhood favorite in cupcake form I knew they needed to grace my kitchen.

This recipe begins with a chocolate-cola cake, is filled with cherry pie filling, topped with a sugar-cola glaze, then finally topped off with my favorite whipped cream frosting for cupcakes, and a maraschino cherry, of course. What’s a float without some whipped cream and a cherry?! Although there are multiple components, these cupcakes come together relatively quickly.

The combination of chocolate, the faint Coke flavor, the cherry filling, and the whipped cream on top is a sensational combination of flavors and textures.

These would be a fun cupcake option for someone who is a fan of black forest cake. Although it’s not traditional, it’s definitely a modern twist on the chocolate/cherry combination. I also think that these cupcakes would be great for summer picnics, much like the Root Beer Float Cake that I made many moons ago.

If chocolate-covered cherries are your jam, or you love cherry-flavored cola, add these to your baking list ASAP!

Three years ago: Strawberry Pimm’s Cup Cocktail
Four years ago: S’mores Ice Cream

Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Cook Time: 18 minutes mins

Resting time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Chocolate cupcakes made with Coca-Cola, filled with cherries, topped with a Coca-Cola glaze, a whipped cream frosting and cherry on top!

4.41 (5 ratings)

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Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• ▢ 1½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
• ▢ 3 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking soda
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
• ▢ ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup (113.5 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• ▢ ¾ cup (177 ml) Coca-Cola (don't use diet)
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract
• ▢ 21 ounce (595.34 g) can cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

• ▢ ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Coca-Cola

For the Whipped Cream Frosting:

• ▢ 8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• ▢ ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 cups (476 ml) heavy cream
• ▢ Maraschino Cherries, for garnish

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Instructions 

• Make the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a standard muffin pan with paper liners; set aside.
• Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and butter and beat on medium-high until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beating for an additional minute. In a large mixing cup or small bowl, combine the buttermilk, Coke and vanilla extract. (Make sure you wait for the foam to go down when measuring the Coke and don't worry if your mixture looks curdled when you add the buttermilk.)
• Beginning with the flour mixture, add in 4 parts to the butter mixture, alternating with three parts of the Coke mixture. Beat each addition just until incorporated. Give the final mixture a good mix with a rubber spatula to make sure it is thoroughly combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the muffins cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched lightly and a toothpick inserted in the center cupcake comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Fill the Cupcakes: Once cooled, use a paring knife to cut out a cone shape in the middle of each cupcake. Add a spoonful of cherry mixture (2 to 3 cherries) to the well.
• Glaze the Cupcakes: In a small bowl whisk together the powdered sugar and coke. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes to thicken. It should drip off of a soon very slowly. Using a small offset spatula, drizzle a little of the glaze onto the middle of each cupcake and then gently spread it over the top.
• Frost the Cupcakes: On medium speed, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixer with the whisk attachment until smooth and completely combined, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the heavy cream, scrape the sides of the bowl, then increase speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form. Pipe the whipped cream onto cupcakes as desired and top with maraschino cherries to garnish. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Calories: 516kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 18g, Cholesterol: 110mg, Sodium: 197mg, Potassium: 162mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 1210IU, Vitamin C: 2.1mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 1.2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Author: Michelle Lettrich

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

This recipe was originally published on January 25, 2012.