Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes

I was asked to do some cupcakes for a wedding reception not too long ago.  I wanted to do something fun and original...something no one had done around here! So that meant I needed to come up with a recipe for a cupcake.  The reception was absolutely adorable! They went with a vintage theme and they had all these fun Coca Cola signs, and even a coke machine!  They served coke floats and root beer floats.  Knowing that the family is such a fan of Coca Cola, I decided to try my hand at making a Cherry Coke Float Cupcake.  Because I was making so many,I chose not to fill them, but I think that would add another special touch if you had the extra time to do so!

I believe that using mixes to obtain the flavor of what you're after is not a sin!  I mean, I've said it before, but Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, & the good ole' Pillsbury dough boy know what they're doing!  If I do say so myself, the dough boy is my favorite when dressing up cake mixes for cupcakes.  I don't know what it is that they do different, but I like it!  The cupcakes are fluffier and peak nicer! Just so you know!

Cherry Coke Float Cupcakes
an original by Tea
From Cupboard to Cupboard

1 box chocolate cake mix (I like Pillsbury chocolate moist supreme the best)
1 Tbsp cherry flavoring...not extract, but the syrup you use for cherry coke ( I used Hires Big H Cherry Flavor... hiresbigh.com)
1 12 oz can cherry coke.... not diet
2 eggs

Mix ingredients together and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed.  Fill liners 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes or until tops spring back when touched.  15 minutes was perfect for me! Let rest in muffin tins for 5 minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Cherry Stabilized Cream

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
3 cups whipping cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cherry flavoring (same as above)

Combine gelatin and water in small saucepan and let stand 5 minutes.  In the meantime, whip cream until slightly thick and add powdered sugar, vanilla and cherry flavoring.  Turn burner on low and heat water with gelatin until dissolved, remove from heat and cool.  Add to whipped mixture and beat on high until stiff peaks are formed!  Fill large pastry bag and pipe cream on top of cupcake.  Garnish with a cherry for the full effect:)

Happy Cooking

Teauna