These Chocolate Cherry Coca Cola Cupcakes have a surprise inside that make them incredibly moist. The cupcakes get their amazing flavor from Coca-Cola, cherry pie filling and maraschino cherry liquid.
What are Cherry Coke cupcakes?
The chocolate cherry coke cupcakes are topped with a delicious buttercream frosting that’s been infused by maraschino cherry juice. And, of course, there is a maraschino cherry on top of each cupcake.
Decadent describes these cupcakes perfectly.
The cherry pie filling mixed into the cake batter makes these cupcakes incredibly moist. They do take a few additional minutes to bake, but trust me… they are SO worth it.
For more delicious cupcake recipes, be sure to check out my Cherry Limeade Cupcakes, Snickers Cupcakes, Lime Coconut Cupcakes and Chocolate Cupcakes with Fresh Strawberry Frosting.
I was inspired to come up with a recipe for these Coca Cola cupcakes, after my family went nuts for my Chocolate Coca Cola Cake which is now our all-time favorite dessert. It tastes even better than the Double Fudge Coca Cola Cake they make at Cracker Barrel. These Chocolate Cherry Coca Cola Cupcakes definitely rival that cake.
What does Coca-Cola do for baking?
In baking, cola is used for its chemical properties. The acidic ingredients in coke react with the baking soda to create little tiny air bubbles for extra lift. Thus, creating a fluffier cupcake or cake.
Can you use Cherry Coke in this recipe?
Absolutely, you can use cherry cola. It doesn’t change the flavor much, because the cupcakes get their cherry flavoring from the cherry pie filling and maraschino cherries. I typically have regular cola in my fridge, so that is what I used.
Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Coca Cola Cupcakes
Devils Food Cake Mix
Eggs
Oil
Coca Cola
Maraschino cherries with syrup
Cherry pie filling
Butter Cream Frosting
For the exact measurements, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Coke Cupcakes
Prepare cake mix according to package directions, except substitute coca cola for water.
Add maraschino cherry syrup and cherry pie filling. Mix on low speed until combined.
Line muffin cups with paper baking cups. Pour batter into cups, almost to the top (these cupcakes don’t rise a lot) and bake according to directions for cupcakes.
Cool completely, frost with cherry frosting and top each cupcake with a maraschino cherry.
How to Store Coca Cola Cupcakes
These cupcakes do not require refrigeration and can be stored on the countertop. You do want to make sure to keep the cupcakes in a cupcake holder or other air tight container. I love this cupcake holder, available on Amazon. It is perfect for cupcakes with a lot of frosting swirled on top.
Chocolate Cherry Coca Cola Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 Devils Food Chocolate Cake Mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 12 ounces Coca Cola
- 8 ounce maraschino cherries
- 21 ounce cherry pie filling lightly drained
- 2.5 cups
butter cream frosting see below for my recipe - 2 tbsp maraschino cherry liquid
- 24 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare Buttercream Frosting adding in 2 tbsp maraschino cherry liquid, set aside.
- Prepare cake mix according to package directions, except substitute coca cola for water.
- Add maraschino cherry liquid and cherry pie filling. Mix on low speed until combined.
- Line muffin cups with paper baking cups. Pour batter into cups, almost to the top (these cupcakes don't rise a lot).
- Bake on 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Remove cupcakes from pan and move to a wire rack. Cool completely, frost with cherry frosting and top each cupcake with a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
This recipe was first published in May of 2012. It has been updated with new images. However, the same great recipe remains the same.
I never thought of using cheery cola as an ingredient before. What an interesting idea! And I love the cherry on top. =)
This looks so yummy! I’ll sub Diet Coke though!
This will surely a tasty cupcake, i like the glistening look of the cheery on the top of the cupcake. Makes it look so inviting.
I love cherry coke would this also be okay to use in it to add more cherry flavor?
Sounds great to me!
I just made these and they were raw inside even after baking an extra 15 min. They were burnt on the bottom but raw in the middle. Any ideas? I think it’s cause their to wet… Gonna try again this time gonna use cherry coke and put pie filling in the middle and not gonna add the cherry juice. I’ll let y’all know how they turn out. I also subbed unsweetened applesauce for the oil I always do makes cakes and cupcakes a teensy bit better for you. Thank you!
Oh no! I have now made these a few times and they have turned out really good. They are super moist cupcakes. I wonder if cooking on a lower temp would help? That’s a good idea to omit the extra cherry juice and substituting the applesauce. Please let me know how they turn out.