Coca-Cola Cupcakes Valentine I SODA Like You!

You know I'm a sucker for a corny Valentine Pun.  You could say they make me "POP" with joy, or I'm "all ears" for a corny Valentine Pun.  A Cheesy Valentine Pun?  They're pretty Gouda.  You get the idea.  If you actually search The Devilish Dish for Valentine recipes, you'll see past silliness like "Valentine You're Awesome Sauce"- Red Hot Applesauce,  or "I'm Bananas for You" Banana Muffins.  Last year I made Copycat Beaver Nuggets because "I'm EAGER to be your Valentine." I've been wanting to try a Coca Cola Cake for a long time.  Mr. Devilish Dish's Mamaw used to make it and it's such a popular Southern stand by.  A rich, chocolate-y cake made moist by the addition of real Coke.  Even better in cupcake form!  I used Soda for my pun, as in "Valentine I SODA Like You" which is funny because down here in Oklahoma we call everything Coke.  Whether you drink Pepsi, Dr. Pepper or 7UP, we call them all Cokes.  In fact we say, "I'm fixin' to go get a Coke" even if you order something else to drink.  I went with cupcakes instead of a regular cake because I've had my eye on these cute little cupcake carriers at the dollar store for a long time.  They're not super sturdy, so I wouldn't plan on using them for years like a family heirloom or anything but they hold 9 cupcakes perfectly for gift giving.  Remember Little Devil is grown, so we don't have to make classroom valentines anymore.  Our valentine gifts consist of treats for family and friends.  You could certainly package the cupcakes individually and give them as single gifts if you wanted to.  I just made three batches of cupcakes so there would be plenty to share.  The frosting is so thick and delicious they didn't need much decoration besides gummy cola bottles, but they would be adorable with sprinkles and garnished with a cute old-fashioned paper straw.  A nostalgic recipe with a nostalgic presentation.  You can also make this as a single cake in a traditional 9x13-inch cake pan as well.  It's perfect as is, or served with a big scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.  It's like the most decadent Coke Float you'll ever have.  No matter how you decide to make this recipe, I'm sure I'll SODA like you anyway!

Coca-Cola Cupcakes for my Valentines
I SODA Like You!

A not too sweet chocolate cupcake,
made moist by the addition of Coke!

My cute little carriers from the dollar store

Shout out to Mr. Devilish Dish for making a run
for gummy cola bottles in the frigid weather.
(Last minute garnish decision)

I'm so happy with how these turned out.
I love nostalgic recipes and Coca-Cola decor.

Gummy Cola Bottles make the perfect garnish.
PLUS we ate the leftovers!

These would be so cute served with
old fashioned Coke in bottles
with a fun straw.
Go all out with the cheesy SODA theme.
It's Valentine's Day after all.

Here's my gift tags. I love how they
turned out.  I hope my Valentines
enjoy my love of bad food puns as
much as I do.

Click on the image to enlarge.
Right click and save to your computer.
Open with the software of your choice
and print onto cardstock.

COCA-COLA CUPCAKES

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup Coca-Cola
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FROSTING:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch Kosher or sea salt
5-6 cups powdered sugar

Gummy Cola Bottles for garnish

yield: approximately 26 standard cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.  In a large mixing bowl combine sugar and flour and set aside.  In a saucepan combine butter, Coca-Cola, vegetable oil and unsweetened cocoa.  Bring to a boil.  As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, pour into flour mixture and beat with an electric hand mixer on low for one minute.  Add eggs, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla.  Beat on medium speed for one minute.  Divide evenly into prepared cupcake liners.  Bake in preheated oven approximately 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.  Meanwhile prepare the frosting:   Beat the softened butter with an electric hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy.  Slowly add in about 2 cups of powdered sugar.  Then add Coke, vanilla and pinch of salt.  Continue beating.  (Mixture will look wet and grainy.) Add the remaining powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition until frosting is a pipe-able consistency (You can also spread on with a spatula if you don't want to use a piping bag and tips.) Decorate cupcakes and garnish with gummy cola bottles.

Cook Time:  Approximately 18 minutes