I've been trying to get into cooking and baking more, since it's healthier and way less expensive than eating out. I started thinking about desserts my Mema (all southerners have a mema, or memaw, it's the law) made when I was growing up, and one thing she made, which I understand is a southern tradition, is a 7-Up pound cake. However, I got sidetracked (surprise!) and found a recipe for Coca Cola Cupcakes. There's nothing more southern than Coca Cola, and these were delicious and made a TON, so I took most of them to work. They're great with a cup of coffee for a midmorning snack, or warmed with vanilla ice cream as a dessert with guests. The marshmallows and coca cola make the batter seem like it'll be too watery, but they are the most light, moist cupcakes ever! Here's the recipe, have fun!
Coca Cola Cupcakes
Cupcakes
1 C Coca Cola
1/2 C butter
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/4 C powdered cocoa
22 large marshmallows
2 C all-purpose flour
2 C sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 C buttermilk
2 large eggs, beaten
Preheat oven to 325. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners (the silver metallic ones work best for this recipe).
In a small saucepan, mix cola, butter, oil, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, add marshmallows. Cover with lid until marshmallows begin to melt, stir well.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking soda. Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and mix well. Add ingredients from part one. Spoon the batter into cupcake liners until they are approximately 2/3 full. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
1/4 C powdered cocoa
6 TBSP Coca Cola
1/2 C butter
1 1-lb box of powdered sugar
1 C chopped pecans (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
In a medium saucepan, mix coca, cola, and butter. Heat over medium until melted, then bring to a boil. Remove from heat, then add powdered sugar, pecans, and vanilla. stir until well blended. Let frosting cool until it's thick enough to frost cupcakes.
*I almost skipped the frosting when I made them because sometimes that overdoes the sweetness for me, but these cupcakes NEED the frosting. It'll be very runny when you first cook it, but give it maybe 15 minutes or so to thicken up. I just spooned it onto the cupcakes - not particularly "pretty," but DELICIOUS. I did skip the pecans this time, and they were still great.
**I also need to let you know that these passed the "Husband Test" - my darling Blake ate about a dozen of these on his own!
**I also need to let you know that these passed the "Husband Test" - my darling Blake ate about a dozen of these on his own!
