Hello, friends! Today we are talking about Coke cupcakes! More specifically, the cutest chocolate Coca Cola cupcakes I've ever seen in my life. GAH. I just can't get over how adorable these are! I'm not a soda drinker, and last time I shared a recipe with Coke was like... 3 years ago. Hello, Diet Coke Brownies! Those were a smashing success back in the day, so I figured it was time to share soda on the blog once again. Chocolate and Coca Cola? You just can't go wrong with that!
The idea for these cupcakes came to me while on our family roadtrip to Florida. My mom pulled out a bag of those gummy Coke bottle candies, and the light bulb lit on top of my head. Those would be perfect on top of cupcakes! I will admit, despite having Coca Cola both in the batter and the frosting, these taste mainly like chocolate and vanilla, respectively. However, I think due in part to the carbonation of the soda, these are the lightest, fluffiest, most amazing cupcakes ever!
This cake recipe is one of my favorite types of recipe... one-pot! These kinds of cakes are insanely easy because everything is done in, you guessed it, one single pot. You start by melting the butter in said pot, along with oil and the Coke. You then add in your remaining liquid ingredients, then your dry ingredients, whisk it all together... and DONE. I love when recipes don't create any dirty dishes, don't you?
These cupcakes might be unbearably cute and gourmet-looking, but I promise they're embarrassingly easy! The real trick to making these look adorable lies in the cute wrappers and straw accents. And those little Coke gummies don't hurt, either! Like I said, the cake is all made in one pot, and the frosting is like a 3-ingredient, 3-minute deal so it's equally simple! Coke lover or not, you'll be sure to love these cupcakes for their chocolatey fudginess and light and fluffy frosting. You can't go wrong with a classic like chocolate and vanilla. Yum!
{cake recipe from Cincy Shopper}
chocolate Coca Cola cupcakes
Ingredients
- *for the cupcakes*
- ½ cup {1 stick} unsalted butter
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup Coca Cola
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- *for the frosting*
- 1 cup {2 sticks} unsalted butter softened
- 3-4 tablespoon Coca Cola
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two muffin pans with cupcake liners.
- In a large pot, combine the butter, oil, and Coke and heat on medium-high until butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Whisk in the sugar, mixing until melted, then mix in the flour and baking soda.
- Remove from heat, then add in the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add in the cocoa, milk, vinegar, salt, and vanilla.
- Divide the batter evenly between 30 cupcakes. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cupcakes are no longer jiggly and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- When ready to frost, beat the butter using a hand mixer until it's smooth and creamy. Add in two cups of the powdered sugar and beat in, then add the Coke and vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Add in the remaining sugar, about a half cup at a time, until frosting is stiff enough to be piped. You might not need all the sugar! If the frosting is too stiff, you can add another small bit of Coke.
- Decorate as desired, and top with Coca Cola gummies and straws!
Jenna says
These are just adorable!! Love how you put the gummy Coke bottles on top!
Somayya says
Hi I would like to know are these standard cupcakes
valentina says
Hi Somayya! Yes these are standard cupcakes.
Nitaa Lyn says
How did you get the cake to look the dark black color
valentina says
Hi Nitaa! I used dark cocoa powder. I usually buy the Hershey's Special Dark... you can find it at most grocery stores!
My Cupcake World says
These Cup cakes looks great and tastes yummy.
Jeannie says
Any idea what tbe metric measurements are? They look great!
valentina says
Hi Jeannie! Here is my best estimate at metric measurements:
- for the cupcakes
113g unsalted butter
120 mL vegetable oil
250 mL Coca Cola
400gr granulated sugar
260gr all-purpose flour
2 eggs
75gr cocoa powder
6 gr baking soda
125mL milk
15mL white vinegar
5mL vanilla extract
pinch of salt
- for the frosting
226gr unsalted butter
3-4 spoonfuls Coca Cola
5 mL vanilla extract
625-750gr powdered sugar, as needed
Hope this helps! 🙂
Amy says
Hey Valentina!
I’m baking at a high altitude (3,600 feet). Should I make any changes?
Thank you!!
valentina says
Hi Amy! I have absolutely no experience with high altitude baking but I think the recipe probably needs to be altered a little! King Arthur Flour is an awesome baking resource so I would follow their advice on what exactly to change 🙂
- The oven temp should be changed from 350F to 365F
- For baking time, I would stick to 20 min rather than 25 min
- Reduce the sugar by 2 tbsp (I think the easiest way would be to fill a 1-cup measure and just scoop out 1 tbsp from it!)
- Increase the milk OR Coca Cola amount by 5 tbsp (you can also split the difference between these two). The chart also suggests adding an extra egg instead of adding more liquid!
- Add 2-2 1/2 tbsp extra flour
Here is the full resource page if you need more help: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/high-altitude-baking.html Good luck!!
ADLAYETE says
THE CUP CAKES ARE YUMMY YUMMY JUST LOVED THEM
Carol says
After taking mixture off the heat, how long do you wait to add the eggs? Don't want to scramble them. Thanks for your help.
valentina says
Hi Carol! You are fine to add the eggs after taking the mixture off the heat for just a few minutes. If you add in the eggs one at a time and whisk really well and quickly, you should not have any problems! 🙂
Kim Castro says
These were the most delicious chocolate cupcakes I've ever made. Everyone loved them. I'd like to make a similar vanilla version. Any ideas about what I would exchange the cocoa for or do you have a vanilla recipe that is just as moist?
valentina says
Hi Kim! I am not sure if this recipe can be turned into vanilla, but these cupcakes are my go-to for vanilla cake!! I have also added other extracts and flavors and they always come out really well 🙂 https://www.thebakingfairy.net/2015/10/simple-gender-reveal-cupcakes/
Winni says
Very Delicious cupcakes. I am really fond of baked food and especially cakes and muffin, a worthy post to read, Thank you for sharing it, would definitely try it. Keep posting such delicious recipes.
Nikhil says
Nice cupcakes, I am loviing it..Thanks for sharing
Judi says
Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried these with diet coke?
Jennifer says
If I only have one cupcake pan would it work to make the whole recipe and do in batches or should I half it first?
Bakingo says
These Cup cakes looks great and tastes yummy.
Anant Khurana says
These looks adorable!
Peter Calvin says
Can’t wait to try this! Can I use Coke Zero as a substitute? just asking
valentina says
Hey! I haven’t tried it myself but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!
Alok Gupta says
Thank you very much for your cake review! We’re happy that your mother enjoyed it!
Floweraura says
It's Amazing, I will try this recipe at home.