These cherry coke cupcakes are a fun and flavorful way to bring a retro-looking treat to the table. Made with real Coca-Cola, maraschino cherries, and a boxed cake mix, these cupcakes are easy to make and delicious to eat. Yum!
Cola cupcakes are a perfect retro throwback recipe. While these are cherry coke cupcakes we don't actually use cherry cola soda in the batter. Instead, we use a box of black cherry jello and a cup of regular coke because the flavors are stronger and better this way.
Easy cupcake recipes like this one and these Nacho Cupcakes or these Earth Day Cupcakes are something that we always enjoy and look forward to.
Why This Recipe Works
- We use actual soda. To help bring in that wonderful cola flavor, we use Coca-cola in the cupcake batter. It adds a certain flavor that really tastes incredible.
- The bubbly soda does more than just add taste. It also helps to give us a nicer texture for the cupcakes and makes them moist for days.
- The recipe steps are easy enough that the kids can help. Whether you're a novice baker, an experienced baker, or looking for a recipe that the kids can help with, you'll love this way recipe just the same!
🥘 Ingredients
For the cupcakes, you will need:
Chocolate Cake Mix- You will need a box of chocolate cake mix (any variety like milk chocolate, devils food cake, german chocolate, etc.) You will only need the dry stuff, do NOT prepare the batter.
Black Cherry Jello Mix- Grab a box of black cherry flavored jello. You will only need the dry powder from inside. Do NOT prepare the jello.
Coca Cola- We need plain/regular flavored coke. Any brand will work. I have not tried this with sugar free or diet sodas.
Eggs- Eggs are needed to bind the cake together so that they aren't too crumbly.
For the frosting, you will need:
Vanilla Frosting- Use a can of vanilla frosting to make the topping that much easier. Cream cheese flavor will also taste great!
Maraschino cherries- For flavoring the frosting you will need the juice from the cherries, but save the cherries for a nice topping too!
Straws- This is totally optional but I used striped paper straws as an added topping for these cupcakes. Cut them to a few inches in size and press them in.
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
🍽 Equipment Needed
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🔪 Instructions
Check out how to make cherry coke cupcakes with these simple step-by-step instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, dry jello mix, and cola with the eggs. Blend together until well incorporated.
Divide the batter into 24 lined muffin tins by filling each one up to be about ¾s of the way full.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place them on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Once the cupcakes are cooled, prepare the frosting by mixing together the can of vanilla frosting with reserved cherry juice until well blended. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes to make it light and fluffy.
Frost the tops of the cupcakes and then garnish with a maraschino cherry with stem and a quartered paper straw.
Serve and enjoy.
🍴 Recipe Tips
Making these coke cupcakes with cake mix really helps to reduce the time and effort spent making them while still giving you desired results.
You can use any type of coke for these cherry cola cupcakes, but I recommend sticking with the original regular coke for the best results.
📖 Variations
You can use any regular-sized box (15.25oz) of chocolate-flavored cake mix. I like to use Devil's food cake flavor for extra richness, but regular chocolate is fine too. Even a red velvet cake mix can work well here because it has a chocolate flavor base.
💭 FAQs
It adds a chemical reaction thanks to the leavening agents in the mix and the carbonation in the soda that allows the cake to turn out fluffy and flavorful moist without the need for oils and other ingredients.
These cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Keep them in an airtight container for maximum freshness. If planning to store at room temp, I recommend not adding the cherry garnish until ready to serve.
Yes, you can freeze these cupcakes, frosted or unfrosted in an airtight container (single layer) for up to 3 months. Thaw cupcakes on the counter for several minutes or in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
More great treat recipes to try
- Brownie Mix Cookies
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
- Marbled Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Candied Sour Grapes
- Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Nacho Cupcakes
📖 Recipe
Cherry Coke Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25oz) chocolate cake mix ($1.00)
- 1 box (3oz) black cherry jello mix ($0.98)
- 1 cup coca cola ($1.00)
- 3 large eggs ($0.24)
Frosting:
- 1 can (16oz) vanilla frosting ($1.00)
- 2 Tablespoons cherry juice, from maraschino jar ($0.00)
- 24 maraschino cherries with stems ($1.74)
- 6 paper straws, quartered *optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the dry cake mix, dry jello mix, and cola with the eggs. Blend together until well incorporated.
- Divide the batter into 24 lined muffin tins by filling each one up to be about ¾s of the way full.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Once the cupcakes are cooled, prepare the frosting by mixing together the can of vanilla frosting with reserved cherry juice until well blended. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes to make light and fluffy.
- Frost the tops of the cupcakes and then garnish with a maraschino cherry with stem and a quartered paper straw.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Making these coke cupcakes with cake mix really helps to reduce the time and effort spent making them while still giving you desired results.
- You can use any regular-sized box (15.25oz) of chocolate-flavored cake mix. I like to use Devils food cake flavor for extra richness but regular chocolate is fine too. Even red velvet cake mix can work well here because it has a chocolate flavor base.
- You can use any type of coke for these cherry cola cupcakes but I recommend sticking with the original regular coke for best results.
Storage
- These cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5. Keep them in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
- If planning to store at room temp, I recommend not adding the cherry garnish until ready to serve.
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