Soft and moist chocolate cupcakes made with real Cherry Coke are the base for these decadent Cherry Coke Cupcakes!
The buttercream is cherry flavored, it is pink and deliciously creamy!
I try to be green. I really do. We recycle as much of our household products as we can. I use reusable shopping bags. We unplug electronics when not in use. I use recycled paper products. I use green cleaning products. If I remotely enjoyed gardening, I’m SURE I’d compost. I consolidate my errands into one trip as much as possible. We even use biodegradable dog poop bags for goodness sakes!
However, there is one area that I am totally wasteful. That is in the shower. I know it’s wrong to waste water, I get that, I really do, but is there anything better than a loooooong hot shower??? No. There isn’t. Wait, these Cherry Coke Cupcakes are pretty darn close, but still, I’d take the shower over dessert any day! The piping hot water, covers me and turns my 4×4 shower stall into a mini spa. The steam relaxes me completely. What really makes my morning shower special, is that the sound of the water rushing down drowns out the rest of the household noise! It’s like I’m in my own little cocoon and no one can bother me. Of course, that is partly due to the fact that the bathroom door is locked. Minor detail. See, for those twenty few minutes, I am utterly alone. ALONE PEOPLE!!!! This is where I do my best thinking! This is where I am transformed from a simpleton to a genius! I can tune out everyone and everything and concentrate on the noise in my own brain! It’s glorious! I rarely have uninterrupted moments to myself. My morning marathon showers are bliss. I need them. Personally, I’d rather pay my water bill than for a therapist!
Yes, the idea for these cupcakes was hatched in the shower. My daughter wanted Cherry Coke Cupcakes for her birthday. But I wanted something a little more spectacular. I thought of all the recipes I had researched and voila, these are the end result! These Cherry Coke cupcakes have Cherry Coke in the cake themselves, which by magic, makes them super moist. There is a chocolate glaze made with Cherry Coke that sits daintily between the frosting and the cake! The frosting gets its hue and an extra dose of sweetness from maraschino cherry juice. Over the top and ultra delicious!!!! And if you cherry and chocolate together then you’ll love these Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cherry Filling and Black Bottom Cherry Cream Pie!
This is what you should do, go take a long, hot, overindulging shower (or bath if that’s your thing), then treat yourself to one of these splendid cupcakes. It will be Nirvana!
These Cherry Coke cupcakes start with soda infused chocolate cake that gets topped with an ultra creamy cherry buttercream! Each bite is pure delight!

Cherry Coke Cupcakes
Cherry Coke meets cupcakes!
Ingredients
- 1 box Devils Food Cake (18.25 oz)
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding (5.9oz)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup Cherry Coke
- 4 T Maraschino Cherry Juice
- For the glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 T Cherry Coke
- 2 t cocoa powder
- For the frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 T maraschino cherry juice
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350. Prepare cupcakes pans, set aside. For the cupcakes, combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, and oil in your stand mixer. Mix until combines. Add in eggs, coke and cherry juice. Stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Using a large cookie scoop, fill your cupcake liners about 2/3 full. Youâ??ll have enough batter for 24 cupcakes. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes stand in the pan for about 5 minutes before removing to a cooking rack.
For the glaze:
- Combine sugar and coke in a bowl. Whisk in cocoa powder until glaze is smooth. You may have to add more coke if the consistency is too thick. Spread over the tops of cooled cupcakes. Let glaze set before frosting.
For the frosting:
- Beat butter and shortening until very creamy. Slowly add in powdered sugar one cup at a time. Add cherry juice by tablespoons until you have a good spreading or piping consistency. You may need to add more cherry juice or milk to make frosting creamier.
Nutrition Information
Yield 24 Serving Size 1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving Calories 339Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 52mgSodium 86mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 0gSugar 35gProtein 2g
Desi says
I am totally with you on long hot showers! They are a must every morning. I seriously could fall asleep in there! Your cupcakes are gorgeous too. Love that photo.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Desi! I draw pictures through the steam on the stall!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Oh my goodness. Not only are these totally gorgeous, but they look DELICIOUS. Cherry cokes–nothing evokes childhood memories more for me! Love them still to this day. And who would have thought cherry coke + chocolate was such a brilliant combo? Love these, girl! Your daughter musta been a happy birthday girl 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Hayley! I think my daughter was happy. I was happier because I got to lock the bowl!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
I’m SO with you! A long, indulgent, hot shower is NOT optional. It’s a necessity in my life! And definitely better than a therapist!
Lemonsforlulu says
I knew I wasn’t the only guilty one! Thanks for stopping by Jen!
Winnie says
O-M-G
There are breath-taking
and looking at the recipe – I can imagine how delicious the taste is
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Winnie!!!! Im so happy we have extras!
Sarah C. says
Wow. They do sound like nirvana
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Sarah!
Amberly says
Oh! My favorite! I’m drinking one right now actually- but I would much prefer a cupcake version! Thanks for posting!
-Amberly!
Lemonsforlulu says
Perfect timing with you drinking a cherry coke while reading this! Thanks for stopping by Amberly!
Anita says
These cupcakes sound so tasty, and I love your photo, makes me want to reach out and grab one!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Anita! They were pretty tasty!
ChgoJohn says
These cupcakes with that trail of chocolate glaze streaming from under the frosting look so very tempting, Tanya, just like a birthday cupcake should. And what girl wouldn’t love that pink frosting?
Lemonsforlulu says
I was very pleased with that chocolate trail!
Kathryn Griffin says
OMGosh! Cherry Coke Cupcakes!! I better pull out my P90X. I don’t know if I should really thank you for sharing this…but, I will. lol. Visiting from DIY Dreamer. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-16.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Lemonsforlulu says
LOL!!! Yeah, these cupcakes sort of make you want to work out a little harder!
Lemonsforlulu says
45 minutes, I love it!!! I could easily do that too! Thanks for stopping over Irish!
Jessica says
Wow- now those look great! I’d love to have you link up this (and a couple more if you’d like) recipe to Wonderful Food Wednesday. We’re going to have voting on the entries this week and the top few will be featured next week. Love if you’d join us at: http://www.athometake2.com
Jessica @ At Home Take 2
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you, I’d love to link up!
Kelly @ Semi Homemade Mom says
WOW, these look good! I seriously went broke buying Cherry Coke from the vending machine at my dorm when I was in college! Thanks so much for linking up to Show & Share Wednesday, I shared this on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SemiHomemadeMom
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Kelly for the FB love!
Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl says
These look amazing ! Could I persuade you to link up to my party! http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/09/farm-girl-friday-blog-fest-1.html
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks for the invite! Will come link up!
More Sister Stuff says
Thanks for sharing!! Those look delicious!! http://moresisterstuff.blogspot.com/
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks for the party!
Gina says
Totally laughing & I will take one of those cupcakes every day of the week!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Gina!
Deborah says
I am totally with you- I have always said that my best ideas come to me when I’m in the shower!! I love these cupcakes, and that pink color is amazing!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Deborah! I love my showers!
Becky says
Yum. I made a similar recipe for my daughter’s bday!! The cherry coke really does add some great moisture. I’m with you as far as the shower goes. I love a long hot shower… and locking the door. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Foodtastic Friday!
Lemonsforlulu says
I’m hooked on these cupcakes!! Funny our girls requested the same thing! Thanks Becky!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I swear, a hot bath is the best therapy in the world! Along with these cupcakes, of course. Gorgeous!
Back For Seconds says
holy yum! these look fantastic! i just love everything you make 😉 featuring you tomorrow at the Back For Seconds Social!
Lemonsforlulu says
Oh thank you!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Haha! I lock myself in the bathroom too for some peace and quiet!!! All the quiet is great for coming up with good ideas! These cupcakes are beautiful! And I bet they taste awesome too:-)
Lemonsforlulu says
It’s a shame we have to hide in the bathroom isn’t it? Thanks Jocelyn!
Kim@madeinaday says
I am featuring these tomorrow! They sound so yummy, Love cherry coke!
Kim
Lemonsforlulu says
That’s so cool, thanks Kim!
chica chocolatina says
These are insane!, they look so good, I will definitely be giving these a try!
Lemonsforlulu says
The frosting was the best!
Hillary says
I am totally making these for my friend’s baby shower on Saturday. Love cherry coke!
Lemonsforlulu says
Oh yeah! I hope your friend likes them!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Yummers! These look delish! I am loving that little cherry on top! It’s all about the details, lol!
Christie says
My boys would love these – cherry coke is their favorite!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
love the flavor combo here!!!
Katy says
I made these for my cherry coke loving hubby’s birthday! They were so yummy – they disappeared fast! The box of cake mix was closer to 15 oz rather than 18 (and the box of pudding was smaller too), so I reduced the other ingredients to 3/4 of what is in the recipe. It worked just fine. The frosting was especially yummy!
Tanya Schroeder says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you liked them! My daughter requests these for her birthday every year.
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Kim!